Stop Checking The Price Tag

If shopping was a sport then checking price tags would seem like a strange thing to eliminate from your next game. But as you all know by now shopping is most definitely not a sport, so stick with me on this one!

While of course I understand we all have varying budgets when it comes to filling our wardrobes, a recent shopping trip opened my eyes to how much price really drives our purchases. Wandering through store after store I realized not only how merchandising and advertising calls out enticingly low price points but also how I instinctively go straight for the price tag as soon as I spot an item that attracts me. Makes sense right? But how much are we being influenced by price rather than wether we really love an item? These days the marketing of fashion is so heavily focussed on price that it seems we're more driven by getting a bargain than an item of quality that will live in our wardrobe for years.  

Approaching the way we shop in a not so price driven way could be an enlightening experience for you and your wardrobe! When it comes to shopping we should be completely attracted to the item itself rather than following the general thinking of "oh that's so pretty" followed by "oh it's only $20, I'll try it on". Our thought process should go more like this...oh that's so pretty, I love it, I can imagine it paired with these existing items in my wardrobe, it works with my colour palette and I think it will suit my body shape so I must try it on. What if the price tag didn't dictate what you tried on? Think how your shopping experience could change if you only checked the price tag of an item after trying it on and deciding it's absolutely perfect for you. 

BUT what about my budget I hear you ask...

1. Rather than buying three tops that are just ok you could purchase one for the same price but that you absolutely love and makes you feel amazing. This one item will be sure to give you far more wears and bring you far more joy than those three mediocre pieces!  
2. And let's be honest here, unless you're shopping in a brand new store that you know nothing about, you will have a general idea of the price points on offer. Therefore, if a piece you've fallen in love with ends up being out of your budget it will only make you think even harder about the purchase...and if you truly love something you'll give up other purchases just to make it yours!

As I mentioned earlier, we all have varying budgets for our wardrobes and understandably so. I'm not suggesting this needs to change. What I am saying is that we shouldn't use our budget as an excuse to give into price points that in our minds warrant a purchase that isn't a perfect one. Don't let your fashion purchases be driven by price! 

Try resisting your instinct to grab for that tag on your next shopping trip and see how it feels to be driven by factors other than price. It may be challenging but will definitely result in more satisfying additions to your wardrobe. 

Help I'm Having Shopping Withdrawals

The slow fashion journey can be a difficult one when you consider that it actually resembles giving up an addiction. Wether shopping is an event you participate in frequently or not there's no denying the feel good factor you get from purchasing a new item of clothing...despite that elation only lasting a short time! It's important to remember that you're not giving up shopping all together and are simply being more considered in your purchases and honest with yourself about what you actually need. If it's all getting a bit much and you're feeling the need for some "retail therapy" here's some guilt free ways to satisfy your craving:

Shop at used clothing stores - Because we have become professional consumers there's no shortage of great finds at thrift stores and online resellers that the last owner has simply become sick of. Although the hunt requires a little more effort the pay off is worth it in multiple ways, especially if we're talking cost, on your wallet and the planet. Check out my post 'How to Thrift Shop Successfully' now to become a pro!

Swap clothes with friends - If you're looking for a fun night with girlfriends then host a clothing swap and see what gems you discover in each others wardrobes. Remember one mans trash is another mans treasure, something your bestie might be sick of is something you've never worn before! Get friends to bring a friend if you need to broaden the range of sizes and style personalities available and set a number of items to bring so everyone has the same amount to swap.

Shop your wardrobe - Treat your wardrobe like the beautifully curated selection of clothing that it is, it's your own personal store! Which pieces haven't you worn in a while? Figure out why. Could something be changed to make the item more wearable, like alterations to fit or colour changes. Focus on a project and up cycle a piece of unwanted clothing into something new or discover new and different ways to wear an item and create outfit combinations you haven't tried before.

Invest in one key piece - Save up and buy that one item you've been coveting. Something you know you will love for years and will be an item you wear often....a gorgeous coat for Winter or the perfect Summer dress. Make it a worthwhile and satisfying purchase by putting consideration into your decision. One quality piece will satisfy your craving longer than a handful of cheap trend based items.

You can also check out Fashion Revolution for more great ideas and inspiration to help you enjoy a fabulous fashion haul without buying into consumerism and find out how you can join the #haulternative

Learning to Admire...And Not Own

As a lover of fashion and shopping I've learnt that admiring and not needing to own is a huge part of becoming a more conscious consumer! Appreciating and admiring trends and new styles without feeling the need to jump on board every single one and make a new purchase is a skill and a test of willpower. It's also a test of how well you truly know yourself and how clear you are on your personal style, giving you the ability to only buy what you truly love and is 100% you.

Over the years I've become more and more clear on my style personality, what suits me and what I love to wear. Two recent purchases opened my eyes to a couple of key lessons I've mastered along the way. When it comes to buying into fashion and navigating it's ever rotating slew of trends, remember this - 

Lesson 1: Understand how a trend can work for your personal style.

I've always loved the boho trend and gravitate towards styles that emulate this look. But, what I've come to realize is that I love how the style looks on others rather than how it looks on me and I'm more drawn to the idea of the relaxed, carefree demeanor that the style sells. This doesn't mean I've completely avoided all styles related to this trend though, it was more about finding the pieces that were right for me. I've managed to scope out a few boho inspired tops that are more subtle and in line with my style, and work back with my current wardrobe. 

Lesson 2: Be patient (trends change!) and only invest in styles that suit you.

Another key area of focus when deciding to buy into a trend or new style is wether it works for your body shape goals. Once you've established something works with your style personality you then need to consider how complimentary it is when it comes to accentuating, balancing and camouflaging certain areas of your body. I love the off the shoulder trend that is currently everywhere, however with broad shoulders this trend accentuates an area that I would actually prefer to minimize. After a long time admiring the trend I recently discovered a slightly new take that incorporates an off the shoulder look while incorporating thin straps, creating a break in the exposed area and therefore working well with the shape of my shoulders.

Learning how you can participate in a trend while keeping your style personality and body shape in mind means you'll wear it in your own way and create a more cohesive and intentional wardrobe. Finding contentment and happiness in simply appreciating and admiring trends but not owning the trends that aren't right for you is enlightening and will allow you to discover your personal style and be true to yourself.

Here are some tips to help you avoid stumbling into a purchase based on pure admiration:

• Be clear on your style personality and the direction you want it to take. Find Your Personal Style with the Hungry Wardrobe Style Journey if you haven't already!
• Remind yourself what you already own and be clear on how a new piece will fit cohesively with your existing wardrobe and look.
• Create a mood board. Whether it's on Pinterest or in real life having a visual reference to remind you of the look you're going for and provide inspiration will help keep you on track.
• Look at photos. Refer to images of yourself in outfits you absolutely love to help form the basis of your own unique personal style and remind yourself what makes you feel great. 
• Be discerning in your choices, have fun with your style but only make purchases that will see you 30 wears or more.

How To Consciously Clean Out Your Wardrobe

We all need to re-evaluate our wardrobes and do a good stocktake every now and then, and chances are you're not going to love absolutely everything you find in there. While it's always better to keep, alter and reuse old items what you do with the clothing you choose not to keep can also make a big impact. Firstly consider the importance of looking after your clothing to ensure it's in good condition even after the many wears you have gotten out of it. Then consider these options when you find yourself with clothes you just aren't going to wear again:

Resell Online

Use resellers like eBay to sell any items that are in really good condition and from recognised brands. The key to making a quick and easy sale is to take great photos, write a good description and include as much information as possible in your listing. Be truthful in your description about the quality of the item and always answer any buyer questions promptly. Set your price where you are comfortable selling the item, it's useful to set a buy it now price and a lot of people like to set their reserve at $1 (but remember you have to be comfortable selling at this price!). I like to look up any listings of similar items to make sure my pricing is competitive. These online communities provide a great way to make a bit of extra cash while supporting someone else's wardrobe in a sustainable way...you might even find yourself responsibly adding to your wardrobe!

Resell at Markets

If you're not into spending hours on the computer to resell your clothing then setting up a stall at a market is another great option that requires a one off input of time and energy. There are lots of organized markets which usually only require a rental fee for your spot at the market and sometimes even provide you with tables to display your goods. It's useful to have clear pricing on your items and try to display them in a way that makes them easily accessible, garment racks are better than tables so it's worth it to hire some. Have a mirror on hand and if the market doesn't provide changing rooms it's a good idea to create your own, most buyers will want to try on! Pricing needs to be competitive in this situation and expect to offer discounts. If you're looking to sell a large amount of clothing at once then this is definitely an easier way to go.

Resell In Store

Selling to thrift stores can have it's benefits as it is obviously less time consuming than reselling online or at markets, however as a result your return will also be less. Most stores will give you a rate they are willing to buy at and it's take it or leave it, so again you have to be happy to sell your items at a realistic price. Generally stores will offer a greater rate if you take it in store credit rather than cash, so if you've found a thrift store you love to shop at then this could be a great option and a positive way to contribute to a community of recycling and reusing our clothing. Remember, as is the case with all of these reselling options, if you've kept your clothes in good condition and cared for them you will be more likely to have success when reselling them.

Host a Clothes Swap

Get together with friends and host a clothes swap or mini sale. This makes for a fun night and apart from providing some wine and cheese it requires minimal input! If you and your friends vary in size and shape and a swap is too difficult then get each of your friends to bring a friend and make it a mini sale. While you'll likely be selling your items at a lower rate you'll still get something in return, along with the pleasure of seeing your clothing go to new homes where they'll be loved for longer. 

Donate

For anything left that's still in decent condition then it is always better to donate than bin! Find a charity that has meaning for you, ask questions, do your research and understand how your clothing will be used by the charity and what will happen to it if it doesn't sell. The amount of unwanted clothing we produce today exceeds the worlds need for it so we need to reconsider the feel good factor we get from donating used clothing and instead focus on consuming responsibly. To find out more you can read Where Do My Clothes End Up?

Household Rags/Textile Recyclers

Any items that are in unwerable condition or that are unable to be resold or donated, such as undergarments, can still be put to better use than being thrown in the rubbish bin. Cut them up to use as household rags rather than buying cleaning rags or using rolls of paper towel. You can also donate to a textile recycler in your area, these programs are becoming more and more common and with a bit of research you're sure to find a service that's accessible to you.

Check out Build Your Wardrobe as part of the Hungry Wardrobe Style Journey to learn more about reviewing your wardrobe and remember to always ask yourself these questions when deciding on wether an item should end up in the Yes, No or Maybe pile:

• When was the last time I wore this?
• Is the style flattering for my body shape and achieving my body shape goal?
• Does the colour suit my undertone and work with my colour palette?
• Does it work back with other items in my wardrobe to create outfits easily?
• Can alterations be made to improve the fit, colour or style?
• Does it make me feel amazing and 100% me?

Why Choose Organic Cotton?

When it comes to anything with the word organic associated with it we instantly know it's the better option but don't necessarily understand why. For cotton, often the fabric of choice for clothing we wear closest to our skin, the importance of organic is right up there with what we put into our bodies. According to Cotton Inc, 60% of women's clothing items contain cotton fibers and 40% are made entirely of cotton, while for men's clothing these statistics are even higher with 75% containing cotton fibers and 85% made from cotton alone. 

The prevalence of cotton in our wardrobes makes it obvious why we should understand what we're putting on our bodies and why we should consider the benefits of organic cotton. To simplify things for you, outlined below are the main benefits to choosing organic cotton:

Environmental

• No toxic chemicals are used in the growth of organic cotton, ensuring soil fertility is not damaged, river and ground water is not polluted and the natural eco system is not compromised. Although conventional cotton growth occupies only 2.5% of the world's agricultural land it uses 16% of the world's insecticides and 7% of herbicides. 
• Organic cotton growth uses 71% less water due to the intense cultivation of conventional cotton which requires large amounts of water for irrigation. This causes soil salinisation and contributes to the degradation of soil fertility, a largely irreversible effect on the land.

Farmers

• Due to the complete absence of toxic chemicals in the growth of organic cotton farmers health is improved. Serious illnesses and death are too common among smaller cotton farmers due to lack of adequate equipment and education around the safe handling of pesticides used in conventional cotton growth. 
• Lower input costs and enhanced crop rotation provide a better and more secure livelihood for farmers. This allows farmers to provide for their families with reduced risk of crop failure and have access to a more diverse and gender inclusive market which is built on forming long term partnerships.

You

• Enjoy traceability and clear standards in the products you buy while also contributing to the prevention of the negative environmental and social effects of conventional cotton growth. 

The benefits discussed here are specific to the growth of organic cotton. Certifications such as GOTS ensure these standards are carried through all stages of the production and processing that takes place to transform raw cotton into a textile. All information and statistics provided in this article are sourced from Organic Cotton and About Organic Cotton