Weekly 'good living' guide: Fashion
2 September 2008
Two weeks ago we posted the first instalment of our Weekly Good Living guide - which, if you happened to miss the last one, was the first in a series of five blogs where we're discussing how lifestyle changes can have a big benefit for poor people.
The amount of responses we received to the first post was, quite frankly, brilliant. We've been extremely chuffed to see many of you are considering poor farmers and taking cutting your carbon emissions seriously.
In this week's post (which should have come last week, but we're blaming summer holidays for the delay), we're taking a look at fashion.
Our desire for more and more stuff means mountains of perfectly wearable clothes -that could be donated, re-vamped, or swapped - get thrown out each year. This excessive consumption is only helping to accelerate climate change, which is in turn pushing poor people further into poverty.
We need to live more sustainably, so here are some quick ideas for renewing your wardrobe and improving the world, which might also save you money.
Oxfam shops
Many years ago, charity shops had a reputation for moth-eaten trousers and jumpers. Thankfully those days are now well behind us and there are some diamond finds to be had in your local Oxfam shop; it's just a case of looking. You might not get the whole outfit, but there's no doubt you'll find something spangly to make you shine.
There are also specialist Oxfam Originals shops and Boutiques - where you can pick up vintage clothes that'll satisfy even the most dedicated fashionistas.
Bring it, swap it, drop it
If you're after a new outfit, but don't want to splash out, then there is a way you can get hold of a £50 pair of shoes (or anything else you might be after) without paying a penny.
Let's explain. Swap it parties are the latest craze sweeping the nation. The concept's a simple one: people bring stuff, swap it for something else, then bring what's left to your local Oxfam shop. Earlier this year Oxfam supporters did just that and put on their own swap it parties, with the leftovers being donated to Oxfam.
Go ethical
If you can't quite bring yourself to buy second-hand, why not start by buying ethically? More and more retailers stock Fairtrade and environmentally-conscious clothing, and there's a growing list of websites that you can order from. Ethicalshopper.com, ethicsgirls.co.uk, ethicalsuperstore.com or Oxfam's website (where there's a 50% off sale on Fairtrade clothes at the moment) are good places to start.
Like last week, we'd like to hear your thoughts on these ideas. Perhaps you've bought something second-hand recently and loved it? Or perhaps you went into an Oxfam shop for the first time and found more than you expected? Or you know a good website for ethical shopping you'd like to share?
Comments:
Check list of a hardcore ethical shopper:
[Tip - never read fashion magazines or go into shops without a list of exacty what you need]
Checklist:
1. Ask yourself "Do I really need this" (e.g. "If I have 15 tops, do I really need another one?" or "Could I patch up the hole in my jeans rather than buy a new pair?)
[Tip - If you are going travelling, particularly in developing countries, don't take too many clothes and then buy some from local markets while you are there. They will be cheap and unique (at least when you get home) and that way you can support the local economy and ensure that what you are wearing is cultrally appropriate]
2. If you do really need it, do you really have to buy it (e.g. Could you borrow your friends dress for your aunts wedding; or rent a suit for that interview - especially as, if you don't get the job, you don't need the suit; could you knit your own winter woolies?)
3. If you do need to buy it could you buy it second hand? Just have a quick look in the charity shops first - I once got a lovely ball gown in a charity shop for 20 quid, and spent the entire evening getting compliments and envious looks!
4. If you need and you can't get it second hand can you buy it from an ethical, fair trade organisation, e.g. Oxfam or one of the websites listed above.
5. If you need, you have to buy it, you can't get it second hand and you can't find an ethical organisation that has it then try to buy as ethically as possible, consider:
- the quality of the product (the higher the quality, the longer it will last - whether for you or for the person that buys it second hand once you've given it to Oxfam :)
- the materials of the product - the more natural, the better
- who is making the product - a large corporation or a small business (there be advantages/ disadvantages to either - do your research on the particular organisation)
- where the product is being made - as with food this is not a straight local vs. abroad question, just an issue to consider (it may well depend whether you are an environmentalist or a humanist)
[Tip: If you want something from a particular company and a shop near you stocks stuff from that company but not the thing you want, the shop might be willing to order it for you when their next shipment is coming in - that way your carbon footprint is not affected]
It might be a bit extreme but I hope this checklist at least serves to provide some guidance on ethical shopping - which is still a lot of fun!
Meghan | September 29, 2008 4:20 AM
There are people so poor that they do not have a second pair of clothes. No charaties even rech them as they are located in remote areas of Nagaland & Manipur of India
Sandeep | September 10, 2008 12:03 PM
Thanks to you
NewssyLee | September 5, 2008 8:22 PM
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right
civuwiqu | September 5, 2008 4:04 AM
Que las ropas no sean solamente comercio y si cualidad de vida.
Antonio da Silva Ortega | September 3, 2008 12:01 PM