As Black Friday approaches, it’s apparent that our constant need for newness is driving overconsumption in fashion and beyond. In partnership with The Junior Network, Bex Boffey shares her tips on how to nurture a more sustainable approach to your existing wardrobe, making change without making a single purchase.
My name is Rebecca, and I’m a recovering shopaholic.
I’ve loved clothes from young age and consequently spent much of my life sucked into the fast-fashion cycle, searching for the latest ‘it’ item. When my mother would drag me round charity shops when I was growing up, I often saw trash, not treasure-troves. Although I did have a brief obsession with hunting down bargains on eBay later in life, this was fueled by the desire for something new, meaning it was fickle and didn’t last long enough to embed some serious lifestyle habits in me. Starting a career in fashion made me forget about my thrifting ways faster than you can say ‘Oxfam.’
Fast forward to 2020 and I’ve certainly changed. While I’ll never be perfect, my outlook on mass consumption and fast fashion is notably different. It began with social media, followed by a couple of hard-hitting documentaries and friends becoming more conscious to finally, a global pandemic cementing what we truly need in life to make us happy. Spoiler alert: it’s not *that* spotty Zara dress.
I have also learnt that shopping sustainably means overcoming the constant quest for newness, even when shopping second hand or from an ethical brand. You can have a planet-friendly wardrobe without buying a single thing, just by recycling, forming new practices, or simply organising your closet with a fresh mindset. If you’re looking to make the change without making any purchases, I’ve rounded up my top pieces of advice to start seeing your existing wardrobe as the most sustainable one there is.