Did you know that the fast fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries on the planet? It’s a hard pill to swallow knowing that the garments we wear are polluting our oceans at an immense rate, and sadly it’s not slowing down any time soon.
We’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable, which is why don’t believe in binning shoes with defects, we think they still deserve to be loved and worn! You can find all our ex-display and end-of-line shoes prices on our OFFCUTS Shoes by OFFICE online store, so you can pick up a bargain instead of paying full price.
If you’re looking to make more ethical choices when it comes to your wardrobe, then you’re on the right page. We’ve listed some great ideas below to help you think more sustainably when it comes to shopping for clothes and footwear.
Spotted an item you absolutely must have?? Instead of buying straight off the rack, check out your nearest charity shops for your next fashion fix. You’d be surprised at the items you can pick up second hand, and some of them are brand new with the tags still attached. Apps like eBay, Vinted and Depop are also a great way to shop second hand without even leaving your sofa, and once you have an account set up you can also use them to sell your own unwanted goods for extra cash!
This one might sound the most obvious, but if your wardrobe could do with a good tidy-up then now is the time to do it. By folding everything neatly and having everything in full view, you’ll be able to see items you overlooked before and you could even find items you forgot you had! Sort everything by either category (tops, knitwear, trousers etc), or by colour so you can easily pull new looks together without another unnecessary shopping spree.
The end goal is to reduce the amount of unwanted clothing ending up in landfill, so why not try upcycling some of your old clothes to give them a new lease of life! Trousers and jeans can be cut at home or taken to your local alterations shop to turn them into shorts and skirts. Is your favourite white dress looking a bit dull? Try tie-dying or changing the colour using a home dye kit instead of tossing it in the bin. Old t-shirts and jersey tops are great for cutting up into rags to use for cleaning. This is your time to get creative!
A good habit to get into is checking the labels on your clothing before you buy, just like you already do with your skincare products and the labels on your food. Some materials can’t be recycled at all, and some synthetic fabrics used to make your favourite high street looks release toxic microfibres into our water system EVERY time you wash them – sounds nasty, right? Make sure you check the label for organic and sustainable fabrics, like cotton, lyocell/Tencel, bamboo, hemp and cork, to name a few.
If you are thinking of buying something brand new then try to shop with a long-term view in mind, and not just this month’s hottest new garments. If you can’t see yourself wearing something at least 10 times, or you don’t think you’ll still love it at the same time next year then walk away! Instead of shopping for fast-fashion that is based on what’s trending this season, try investing more in quality made staple items that you will last a lifetime.
Leave a comment