5 sustainable shopping spree tips + local brands guide
- Maria
- Apr 23, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 24, 2019
Hello everyone! Sorry for not being so active on the blog lately, however you can find more regular updates around sustainable news on my Facebook page :)
Spring is here and if like me you are keen on cleaning up the outdoors or changing your wardrobe for the new season, look out because the second part is not such an easy task to do if one wants to look out to sustainability. If you're wondering why we should pay more attention to the clothes we're buying, check out my post on sustainable shopping where I point out some of the reasons why the tailor industry is a massive polluter to the environment.
So today I would like to share with you a guide proposing some tips on how to be more environment-friendly when going on a shopping spree, together with some of the local Bulgarian, and not only, brands that I prefer.
As a person who likes to shop trendy clothes on reasonable prices, it's often hard for me to sustain from temptations such as Zara or Mango, which have a bit shady sustainability engagements I would say.
In order to maintain a responsible attitude towards the environment, I'm always trying to stick to several principles when going for a shopping therapy.
1. Prefer buying local
This saying can be relevant not only when grocery shopping for fruits and vegetables, but also when shopping for clothes. This is because clothes that were manufactured in distant places need to be transported to get to the store where we're shopping at and thus they have a high carbon footprint. Buying local is also a great way to support local brands and small design houses, if you really like what they're offering. Not to mention that the quality is way better than those made in distant places with low cost labour.
Designer clothes, however, even from small designer houses, can often be quite pricey, since the garment is considered unique and handmade.
Fortunately, being based in Bulgaria has its perks when talking about designer clothes. In Bulgaria, the tailoring industry is very prosperous, so a lot of talented designers don't hesitate to create custom ateliers and offer distinctive clothes on reasonable prices.
Eyewear: Clandestino; Earrings: Velvet leaves
So, if you're living in Bulgaria, I can recommend you some of my favourite local brand stores:
Casual wear:
For special occasions:
Accessories:
Clandestino - actually Italian, but are also custom made using eco-friendly materials such as wood and bio-degradable acetate
Shoes
Trousers: Pinki; T-shirt: Benetton,100% cotton; Shoes: Soya fish
Don't hesitate to add in the comments some of your favourite local brands wherever you're based!
2. Buy it only if you really want it and need it
I know, this is something very difficult to follow... But when I think about all those clothes that I've bought and worn once or twice and now they are only taking space in my wardrobe...it's just a shame. Someone out there might really need and like them. I personally have a bunch of those kind of clothes that I wish I didn't buy, but I did only because they were trendy at the time.
Hopefully, such items in good shape can be easily donated, either to charitable organizations or bought off from second hand shops and why not swapped with close friends as well.
On the other hand, the things that really correspond to my style are beside me for a very long time. I'm still wearing my converse sneakers, even though they're ragged on the back. That's what I call determination!
Since several months now, being on the mindset "buy it only if it's necessary", has saved me a lot of unnecessary purchases, which is not only more sustainable but is also more financially adequate.
3. Check the brand’s sustainability status
Talking about sustainability, something I do every time when I'm tempted by a bigger retailer store, is to check their environmental footprint. Good on you is a very convenient platform, especially their app, which helps me in these occasions. They have a detailed data base and rate the brands on labour, environment and animal abuse statistics.
It hurts me to check after I've fancied something very much and see that the brand's sustainability is not good enough and I need to reconsider. Nevertheless, for me it's important to know where my clothes are coming from and what kind of practice I'm supporting when buying a garment. So even only by being informed and curious is a step forward to a more sustainable wardrobe.
4. Pay attention to the fabrics
If you notice the labels on your clothes, most of them are made from or include synthetic fiber, which can be nylon, acryl or polyesther in most of the cases. They derive from petrol and are basically plastics. Every time they are washed in the washing machine, micro plastics are released into the waters. This may seem insignificant but polyester is the most commonly used material in the textile industry. Microplastics are already accumulated in the oceans and digested by fish, thus entering into our food chain. This is the fastest way to get plastics into our food chain, since fish don't make a difference between micro plastics and plankton.
According to statistics, 700 000 microplastics are released in the waters only per one laundry !
Having this in mind, it's more environment friendly to choose organic or natural fabrics and materials, which don't release micro plastics when washed. These can be cotton, linen, wool, silk, cashmere.
In Good on you Tips and Guides category, you can find a wide range of ethical brands to choose from, offering garments made from natural or organic materials.
5. Consider second hand shops
Second hand shops hide some of the best finds at great prices. They can come in handy not only for your pocket and style, but also for the Planet, considering the "reuse" principle.
If you're based in Bulgaria, some of the second hand shops I can recommend are:
Mania - a great place as well if you're wondering where to dispose of clothing that can't be reused
Another great occasion to find second hand gems is at garage sales or at you favourite bloggers' give-away sales.
I hope this guide can come in handy for those who will try to be more sustainable next time when renewing their wardrobe. I personally believe that considering the well being of the environment when shopping doesn't put limits on your style, but quite the contrary: giving that extra effort can refresh one's style and make it more unique. And what better occasion to do this for all the fashionistas out there!
And you, what do you think about sustainable shopping sprees? Add your comment in the comment section below :)
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