Updating Your Wardrobe While Avoiding Overconsumption

In the period of the Coronavirus, it becomes especially obvious that absolute financial stability is a luxury inaccessible to most. Money comes and goes, and when this happens, the first item under the knife is the expense item “new clothes and accessories.” Meanwhile, the paths of consumer culture by 2020 became extremely dodgy and ruthless. Everything around is screaming about the need to buy more: from cute instagrams of fashion brands to contextual advertising, which will forever remember that you once clicked with a trembling hand at the photo of new sneakers.

 

A dozen glossy magazines ceased to affect minds as before, but hundreds of online publications quickly occupied this niche, and smart people realized that advertising in them was much more effective and hit the target (ideally, offering the opportunity to buy with one click). Modern realities are such that even Nike sneakers are something for which you have to limit yourself. So how to escape this constant pressure to consume?

 

To begin with, it is worth it for the global cause of informed consumption to sort out your cabinet. Seriously, this will take only one day, but will make life easier for at least a year. For example, how long have you stared at a photo of a perfect white T-shirt for $100? A close inspection of your wardrobe will help to remember that you have about five of these (just add bleach). You will also no doubt find almost-forgotten items from years ago.

 

Try to sort out old things: first of all, it is better to put aside those that have lost their original appearance (this almost always applies to democratic brands), and after that shift to those you have not worn for a long time. Do not believe the inner voice whispering that the time for red tights has simply not come yet.

And not far from them—in the far corner or a forgotten box—the nameless silk dress that you bought at the sea two years ago, but that you never wore, may well be lying around.

But even if you do not find anything new for yourself, this exercise will help you understand what exactly is worth investing in and, more importantly, what you should not invest in. If nameless things embarrass you by weight, then vintage “ennobled” by time is another way to maintain the cycle of things in nature, rather than overproduction of new ones. Both Oscar-winning actresses and Brooklyn students wear it.

 

Another great option is fashion swap. Swap is not only about the fact that good things can be free, but also about the fact that it's time to stop stupidly hoarding. After all, the more you share, the more you get.

 

One of the best options to swap online is Click On Trend website. This online platform lets you swap, sell and buy fashion items of designer brands, mass market and vintage.

Finding clothes and shoes at swap parties, you also limit yourself to unnecessary and random purchases from brands (again, this applies mainly to the mass market), which often lead a very unethical business. If you are a little versed in the matter and understand how the economy of fashion houses or the mass market is being built, then you know how much a Zara dress or Michael Kors bag actually costs.

 

After I found out in what conditions the seamstresses work, after that very letter in the Primark label, no one will persuade me that it is right to buy these things. So far I can’t change all my habits, but I’m learning to manage a small amount.