Media Messages...Are They Influencing You?

If, like me, you have some kind of interest in fashion and/or shopping then you likely subscribe to or follow a few of your favourite brands or fashion publications via social media. Great! It's fun to follow fashion and trends and it's always good to be informed of new arrivals or a sale...for those things you've been keeping an eye on or have on your shopping list. And who can deny the styling inspiration you can glean from such beautifully staged studio shoots or images of your favourite celebs. All positive things!

However, one aspect I've begun questioning is just how much influence these media messages can have on us as consumers and how easily they can negatively influence our buying behaviors. What I've noticed a lot in my own inbox and social media accounts is the classic journalism tool of attention grabbing headlines. Bold and inclusive statements are made and often a cheap price point called out to lure me into reading the article...or more accurately into feeling like my wardrobe is lacking and I therefore need to buy more things (unnecessarily!). Some headlines are even slightly shocking, how can $30 pants be "life changing", and more importantly whose life have they actually changed, the wearers or the likely underpaid garment workers?!

I'm not saying all of these messages are bad or negative, of course I want to know about the upcoming trends for the season, that's why I signed up, but I don't have to end up owning all of them. And it's not only things I've signed up for, I can be casually scrolling a completely unrelated website and an ad for those shoes I was looking at yesterday appears. There's literally no avoiding the marketing train, thanks Google! Seeing clearly through the constant and abundant fog of media messages in front of us is the main issue here. But it's hard sometimes, I know...I can't even tell you how many times I've been scrolling through Instagram and noticed an amazing piece on a fashion blogger and 10 minutes later I'm halfway down the rabbit hole and wondering if I should track down said item in my size! 

Mostly these headlines have highlighted to me the mindset of society today, or the mindset we've been trained to have. How it's almost always money that drives us, how we view our wardrobes as disposable and how we are always ready to move on to the next thing...it seems FOMO (fear of missing out) is all too real and is being harnessed as a successful marketing tool. I've realized how much influence the media really has on our decision making, only months ago these messages went unnoticed in my inbox and I happily clicked on them, soaking up and considering all of the potential additions to my wardrobe. The internet age has caused a dramatic shift in our ideals and I think we could all do with a bit of a reality check. 

Approaching this onslaught of marketing with a clear and confident mind is key to staying true to ourselves and avoiding purchases that we don't really need and aren't truly us to begin with.

What do you think of these headlines? Do you read articles like this? How did we get to the point of thinking that things are directly related to happiness and constantly feeling like we need to ditch last seasons wears to conform to this seasons trends? And most importantly, how do we get back to giving fashion and our wardrobes the value and appreciation they deserve?

4 Standards You Need to Know

Navigating the world of sustainable and ethical fashion can be overwhelming and confusing...as a relative newbie to this world I'm speaking from experience! There are so many standards and certifications associated with eco fashion which cover various aspects of the supply chain. A number of these standards are country specific but there are also some commonly found international standards to look out for. On your next shopping venture these are the top four international standards to have on your radar so you can discover sustainable and ethical brands and make informed purchases: 

Fair Trade Certifications

World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) - The World Fair Trade Organisation supports small producers and their communities. It's product label is a symbol not only for fair trade but also practices across the supply chain, all of which are checked by the WFTO using their 10 Fair Trade Principals. These principals cover discrimination, child and forced labour, transparency and accountability, fair pay, good working conditions and more, and while most are mandatory those that are non-mandatory require proof of continuous improvement over time.

Fairtrade International (FLO) - An alternative approach to conventional trade, Fairtrade International is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Standards are detailed and cover small producer organizations, hired labour and contract production plus specific standards for traders, climate and textiles. Designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships this standard protects those at all levels of the supply chain.

 

Organic Certifications

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - Focussing on environmentally and socially responsible textile production, the Global Organic Textile Standard identifies textiles that meet this criteria. To bare their label textiles must contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers and all chemical inputs must meet environmental and toxicological criteria. This certification also requires treatment of waste water in the textile production process and the protection of workers at all stages of the production process by meeting certain social criteria.

Oeko-Tex Confidence in Textiles -  Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, an association of independent research and testing institutes, is a third party certification system for textile products at all stages of production and has been in operation since 1992. Oeko-Tex regulates several hundred individual substances, some of which are harmful chemicals that are not yet legally regulated, and conducts extensive product checks and regular company audits to ensure a globally sustainable awareness of the responsible use of chemicals in the industry.   

Are there any standards you've come across that you think we should all be more aware of? The more we understand and look out for these standards and certifications the better!

Have A Conscious Christmas!

It's that time of year again...I love Christmas, it rolls around so quickly these days though and we're all left wondering where the year went. Value the important things in life this Christmas, cherish family times and remember the gift of giving doesn't always need to be through tangible things. If you're thinking about resolutions for next year consider how you can make positive change in this world, wether it's with your fashion choices or focussing on other aspects of sustainability and living a better life for you and those around you.

Christmas can be a time of much waste so try to reduce your footprint by reusing or recycling all of that packaging and wrapping paper,  carefully packing away your decorations for use next year and putting your real trees to good use rather than simply throwing them away. Those Christmas sweaters are fun and cute for a family snap but after one day of wear what will happen to it...buy second hand or invest in one you'll wear every year for the foreseeable future! 

Give friends and family gift exchange cards to ensure your present is going to be used and loved or consider giving gift cards. And if you're on the receiving end of gift cards or cash then spend wisely...don't get sucked into Boxing Day sales and ensure you make considered purchases. Add value to your wardrobe if fashion is your spending area of choice and invest in pieces you will love for a long time. You know the drill, consume consciously! Review the Become a Conscious Consumer step of your Style Journey and most importantly have fun, enjoy, and may your Christmas be merry and your new year happy...

see you in 2017 and together we will continue the journey of curbing consumerism, one conscious step at a time!

How to Shop a Sale Consciously

It's that time of year again...although that time of year when it comes to sales seems to be a more and more frequent occurrence! The worlds insatiable need to consume more and more is further highlighted when it comes to sale time and as consumers we are more than happy to buy into the trap of getting a good deal, with our purchase decisions once again entirely dictated by the price tag. Well it's time to take control of our behaviour and ask ourselves why we become frenzied shoppers at the thought of getting something at a cheaper price?

First of all let's acknowledge that of course money comes into our purchase decisions and why wouldn't we get a better deal if we could. It's a no brainer right! But it's the thoughtless over consumption that sale time evokes that we need to take a step back and think about. If you're buying something simply because it's on sale and a "bargain" then you're playing right into the hands of corporations and not allowing yourself to be the happiest you can be in the clothes you wear. 

The entire premise of being a more conscious consumer and making change in the fashion industry when it comes to sustainability and ethics rides on your self control and being honest with yourself...which seem to be two easily forgotten traits when it comes to sale time shopping.  Ask yourself these questions before pulling the purchase trigger to ensure your holiday shopping doesn't become jaded by a sale tag and you continue to make meaningful purchases:

Shopping a sale...should I buy it, yes or no? 

• Is it a piece I've had my eye on and/or has it been on my shopping list for a while?
• Will the style work well with my current wardrobe and does it compliment my style personality? 
• Does it fit correctly and flatter my body shape or will I have it altered?
• Does it make me feel amazing and 100% me and will I be excited to wear it for seasons to come?

If you can honestly answer yes to these questions then congrats, you truly have found yourself a bargain and your purchase was worth the wait and the shopping trip! If not, then I'm sorry to say but making a purchase will mean you're simply contributing to the giant wheel of consumerism that will continue to turn and drive the fashion industry until we start making more mindful and conscious shopping decisions.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up this week, two sale calendar events clearly penned by marketing geniuses, this is a timely reminder not to lose consciousness in the coming months when your shopping trips are overwhelmed by red signs littered with appealing price points. Happy holidays and happy conscious sale shopping! 

How to build a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe...

First of all it's important to understand this is not something that's going to happen overnight, but if you consciously make a decision to change then working towards achieving this goal will come naturally. When starting down this path the first and most important element is to be interested, care more, ask questions, understand and become aware. Start by taking the Hungry Wardrobe Style Journey and learning about yourself through discovering your colours, getting to know and love your body and finding your personal style. Then, building your wardrobe, and a healthy relationship with it, will set you on the path to becoming a more conscious consumer.

To turn your wardrobe around the changes you need to make are simple ones, well within your reach and completely in your control. It’s about changing your mindset, your relationship with your wardrobe and adjusting the way you purchase clothing:

Shop Less. The first and probably most challenging step for many! Now I'm not proposing you stop consuming altogether, that’s unrealistic, it's more about slowing down. Think about it as turning your current sprint into a jog. Start with a small change, try reducing how often you shop a little, and then a little more.  And remember there can still be joy in shopping, heck it’s one of my favourite things to do! All that's needed is to think about it differently, it's not a sport where the more you play the better you get and more wins you have. No, instead it's a skill that you've already had many years practicing and now it's time to refine those skills. Make the purchases you do make really count! 

Shop Well. This will likely make you immediately think, money! It's one of those things that has such mixed feelings; we all need it, we work hard for it, most of us want more, some of us have too much, some too little...let's be honest, it drives this world. When it comes to your clothing purchases it's also necessary to adjust your mindset when it comes to price. Buy the best you can afford, save up for things and plan out what you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Know your body and personal style so you buy only what makes you feel amazing and will have a place in your wardrobe for years to come not just months. Remember buying less costs less so we can all afford to shop better when it really comes down to it.

Shop Consciously. Always shop with intention, make your purchases meaningful and worthwhile. Fashion is not frivolous nor is it disposable. Everything in your wardrobe should be a considered purchase and just like a dysfunctional family each item should have it's place and purpose. Try different ways of shopping that you may never have considered before, like thrifting, online resellers or clothing swaps. Research ethical and sustainable brands and dedicate a portion of your shopping budget to them rather than pooling it all into the same basket. At times the road to becoming a more conscious consumer can seem daunting and too hard, but remember you're not striving for perfection, you're striving for improvement. And by shopping less and shopping well you're already on your way to becoming a more conscious consumer.

“The ultimate solution is for consumers to buy less, buy better and care more.” - Christina Dean, Founder/CEO Redress

Give yourself realistic expectations...this process will require some of your time and a lot of your willpower, but when you think about what you're changing this seems a small price to pay. Be honest with yourself, no one else will hold you accountable. We need to take control and be the change, and action is what is required...by me, by you, by our family, our friends...by us. This is your call to action!