How to build a sustainable wardrobe on a budget with Organic Basics
This post is in paid partnership with Organic Basics. All thoughts and opinions are my own, unaltered and unedited as always. Affiliate links feature throughout.
Sustainability is now a household name and we all want in. Our wardrobes are an obvious place we can make a huge difference.
Swapping fast fashion for sustainable alternatives is kinder to the environment and those working in the industry but the problem for many of us is budget. At first glance sustainability seems to cost a premium and while the argument that sustainability should cost more is strong, paying more for clothing doesn’t necessarily make it more ethical or sustainable. After years of experimenting I know there are ways and means for all of us to make positive strides towards a greener more sustainable wardrobe without breaking the bank.
So how can we shop more sustainably on a budget? Keep reading.
Start small
This one might be easy for those of you who are moderation types but for those of us who are the all or nothing types, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to create the perfectly sustainable wardrobe overnight. It’s perfectly ok to start small and build up from there. This might look like starting with a few basic pieces that support your existing wardrobe and personal style and focusing on the items you need most first. The best part of sustainability is that it allows us to lean into a slower pace where items are replaced when necessary. Try to adopt a mindset of this process being a marathon not a sprint and give yourself a break.
Buy less
Shifting our mindsets from the consumerist attitude where more is more is often the biggest hurdle to get over. The key to being able to afford better quality items is to buy less and thinking twice before we buy is the best way to curb bad purchasing habits. Going cold turkey with a spending ban works for some whilst others benefit from a more flexible approach. There’s no right or wrong way to do things as long as you’re doing what works for you best. You will know which approach suits you best depending on your personality, lifestyle and budget. Always remember the most sustainable item is the one you already own.
Buy quality
It’s easy to assume that the more we spend on a piece of clothing the better the quality will be but this isn’t always the case. Luxury fashion brands can have just as poor practices as fast fashion high street chains. Learn to look for the true signs of quality like neat stitching with gapless seams, extra buttons and thread, opaque materials and warranties. You can read this blog post for more information about how to buy quality sustainable items that last.
Know the power of basics
Basics are to a wardrobe what a good foundation is to a house. They will support the rest of your wardrobe and it cannot exist for a decent length of time without them. This is where Organic Basics excel as a brand. Their mission is to put sustainable thinking at the centre of everything, only choose fabrics that care for our environment and they only every partner with factories that care about their impact too.
The Dusty Rose Organic Basics TENCEL Lite Turtleneck, Grey Recycled Cashmere Beanie and Invisible Basic Body featured throughout this post are both great examples of simple plain basics that will never date, can be worn over and over and are easily matched to a variety of outfits. The more versatile an item of clothing is the more it can be worn and the fewer alternatives you need.
Curate your inbox and social media feeds
When we think about how much of our time is spent scrolling social media and reading emails (usually hours each day) it’s obvious that we should be very careful about which advertising we injest. Following accounts that encourage us to rewear our outfits, shop sustainably and educate us on the impact fast fashion is having on both our wallets and the planet is a great way to change our mindset. Unsubscribing from brand mailing lists will also limit temptations so you only buy when you genuinely need to but be careful because these mailing lists can also be a great place to keep up to date with discount codes and tips on sustainability. Curate carefully and always do what’s best for you at the time.
Do you find budgeting for a sustainable wardrobe a challenge? If you’ve got any more tips to share leave them in the comments below.
Big thank you to Organic Basics for sponsoring this post. If you’d like to find out more about them, the great things they’re doing and the beautiful basics they’re creating you can visit their website here. If you see something you like and want to make a purchase you can use the code Jessica10 for 10% off.
