How to practice sustainable shopping on a college student’s budget?
Chloe Cabrales
Contributing Writer
Buying from ethical and eco-friendly fashion companies can be tricky to support, especially if you are running on the typical broke college student budget. We college students often walk the fine line between paying for our education costs and trying to save. But we end up blowing up all our money, and if you are anything like me, all that money goes straight to purchasing even more clothes.
With the fashion industry being one of the leading causes of negatively harming the environment, it has never been more critical for brands and consumers to embrace sustainability. But how is that possible when fast fashion purposely makes things much more accessible for broke college students like me to continue their mass consumption habits?
As consumers, it is essential to break out of those cycles. Do your research and be mindful of the company you are buying. It is not always easy, but if you care enough about the environment and the people affected by it, you will try to start investing in a conscious lifestyle. Here are a few tips to start practicing!
- Start buying from a local thrift store, do secondhand shopping or support local businesses.
This is an inexpensive, cost-effective way of supporting your environment. Because of how wasteful fast fashion brands are, you are reducing the number of clothes coming out of landfills by buying secondhand.
- Buy higher-quality items that last longer.
You will get the most use out of higher-quality items! In addition, you will not feel the need to buy more things since you are not quickly disposing of them. Buy higher-quality items instead of purchasing perishable items from fast fashion brands that you might get rid of within just a few weeks or even days of use.
- Buy from transparent brands.
I know we may love those price tags fast fashion brands offer but try to consider a business that cares about its environment and people. I suggest you download an app called Good on You. This app provides detailed ratings of how well or lousy fashion brands practice sustainability. It tries to provide consistent measurements across the industry, making it such a reliable source. I have used this app ever since I discovered it most recently!
- Invest in versatile and staple clothing.
Having an array of versatile staple clothing will give you less of the sense to buy more clothing. Investing in staple items that are needed in wardrobes, such as comfortable essentials, neutrals, basic tees, classic button-ups, etc., will do you good!
Everyone can make a difference, and it will do you good to start making intelligent environmental choices a habit. So even if you are a broke college student, by choosing to live a conscious lifestyle, you are doing the right thing for the future life of the earth!