As we enter the period of reflection that comes with a new year, you might be considering shopping more mindfully. Here are some ways to make small changes to your habits and shop more sustainably – including small sustainable fashion brands you may not be familiar with.
Navigating the world of sustainability can feel convoluted, even for people in the field. Between the complex rhetoric of what is and isn’t considered ethical, the nuance of materials and identifying one greenwashing campaign from the next, it can be difficult to know where to start if you’re hoping to shop more mindfully, however, sustainability is on more people’s minds, particularly as we enter the new year.
The most recurring theme in conversations about sustainability is knowing where to start and if there’s a way to make small changes towards sustainable shopping whilst keeping in mind budgets. Although a higher price is warranted (considering fair living wages and sustainable practices), there are ways to shop sustainably without spending a fortune.
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My advice for anyone wanting to be more mindful in their approach is firstly to shop their stash, however, if you’re in the market to diversify your clothing collection and introduce new pieces there are ways to do so before reverting to the familiar high street names. Shopping pre-loved and with independent sustainable fashion brands makes it more efficient to make sustainable swaps. They often have small productions and are more mindful of their environmental impact. It’s never been easier to make difference and it’s possible to have fun whilst doing so, too.
Pre-loved + vintage accounts
Second-hand shopping is a good starting point when you’re making a conscious effort to shop more sustainably. As a nation of over-consumers, many unloved, unworn clothes are looking for new wardrobes. The past few years have seen the rising popularity of consignment stores born from social media accounts and it’s normalised the conversation around pre-loved goods and made it accessible. What used to be time-consuming, roll-of-the-dice trips to charity shops are now made better with the internet. Pre-loved accounts offer curated assortments of previous season pieces – you’ll find the best in terms of quality from people who have an eye for good pieces.
These business owners are the intermediary between thrift/charity shops and e-commerce giants – like eBay, Depop and Vinted, which although great resources can prove time-consuming when looking for clothing. Consignment accounts work on a two-pronged basis, offering and accepting quality pre-loved clothes, to be sold to customers at discounted prices.
Not only is it a more efficient and less time-consuming way of shopping, but it’s also exciting and encourages circularity. From the highly coveted Burberry Trench coat to the high street gem you missed out on many moons ago, or the designer blazer you really wanted but couldn’t quite afford at RRP, it’s a refreshing approach to shopping and not to mention better for the planet.
Shop some of my favourites from pre-loved + vintage:
My go-to pre-loved accounts:
Threads by Jade
Wear Not Want Not
Retold Vintage
Wolf & Gypsy Vintage
Curate & Rotate
Dusty Vintage
The Style Archive Vintage
The Second Row
Sisters Love Vintage
Jesse & Iris
Slow made-to-measure + order brands
From showstopping pieces to loungewear, the made-to-measure market is growing exponentially. It’s not only great when it comes to less post-consumer waste, it also makes the process of acquiring something new extra special when clothing is tailored to your exact specifications.
This list includes some vintage-inspired designs and a Canadian brand that took the fashion world by storm with the muslin tie top of 2022– a timeless summer favourite.
Shop my fave made-to-measure pieces:
Slow sustainable fashion brands to follow:
Pixie & Bobs
Thread The Spool
Molby The Label
Franks London
Before July
Olivia Rose The Label
Bohème Goods
My top picks from e-commerce marketplaces:
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