“I have nothing to wear” — Every girl has said this sentence at least once in their lifetime.
We all know this is far from true New Luxury Trend.
For most people, never wearing the same outfit more than once would be the pinnacle of luxury. To have the world at your feet, outfits galore, I mean, that’s how movie stars and other celebrities operate, right?
To be able to take a leaf out of Serena Van Der Woodsen or Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe — wouldn’t that be a dream?
Growing up, I harboured a lot of fantasies of endless wardrobes and new clothes everyday. As a responsible adult however, my priorities and my perspective have changed. We can no longer afford to consume endlessly, without any consideration for the future of the earth.
For far too long have humans plundered and pillaged — sacrificing precious natural resources for urbanisation. A consumerist society has caused production to scale up, leading to tonnes of textile waste being generated every year. The carbon footprint and the ensuing pollution has wreaked havoc on the delicate balance that exists in the environment.
What, then, is the solution?
Should we stop consuming products? Should we shut down the millions of product makers and local artists who earn their livelihood from the manufacture and sale of clothes?
No.
The answer to this problem has to be one that is sustainable, that balances the needs of society and the environment.
Minimalist Fashion Approach
With the threat of global warming as real and looming as imminent doom, more and more people are starting to switch to more sustainable consumption patterns.
What does this mean?
Sustainable consumption is a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, you buy higher quality products which have been produced using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. On the other hand, you buy less and utilise your existing collection in newer and more different ways.
Essentially, you would populate your wardrobe with high quality staples. An evergreen example is the classic white shirt and blue jeans combination. The traditional counterpart would be a solid kurta set like this one :
Staples are the cornerstone of the popular mix and match fashion trend. They act as a blank canvas, and you can add your own flair to make the look fit in with different occasions and different styles. You can jazz them up using funky, statement jewellery :
Alternatively, you can own the minimalist look and add classy accessories to make your look unique :
This sounds very simple.
However, if it really was that simple, we would all have done it, wouldn’t we?
Why is it so hard to cut back and buy less?
We often enter stores during end-of-season-sales with clear intentions of buying just the pair of trousers that we actually require, and walk out with two bags full of clothes. Shopping provides such instantaneous gratification that it is very hard to pay back.
How can we ensure that we break out of this endless cycle of see and buy?
How to Buy Less Clothing
This is where strategy comes into play.
You’ve got to avoid clear temptation traps. For shopaholics, maybe you can start by avoiding malls during sale season.
This, however, is a gradual process. You can’t expect to change all your shopping habits in one day. What you can control is the items that you buy.
1. Wardrobe Essentials
For most of us, the attraction of shopping starts with a product that we want. For example, you may set out on a shopping spree to look for a saree that you can wear to your friend’s engagement party. It is only once you reach the store and start looking around that you add more and more products to your shopping basket.
But if your wardrobe is already stocked with an ensemble that you can wear to the party, this cycle is cut short before it even begins.
Keep your wardrobe stocked with one high quality staples so that you can indulge in the mix and match trend.
2. Higher Quality
The buy less philosophy will only work if the products are of high quality.
If you buy cheaper products, which cut costs in the manufacturing process, you might end up adding to environmental waste, rather than reducing it. Also, these products will not stand the test of time and will succumb to wear and tear.
Focus on quality rather than on quantity.
3. Indian Handmade
India boasts of a rich and varied collection of textile fabrics. From the intricate thread work in the North to the breezy cotton in the South, there is a whole spectrum on offer.
Focus on smaller brands who Sell Products Online sustainable handcrafted products. Buying from small businesses serves a dual purpose. You are promoting Indian handicrafts and helping the industry thrive. Along with that, you also get the added benefit of a unique product that has been crafted with care exclusively for you.
Does it get more luxurious than that?
Well, guys, that brings me to the end of my blog. Let me know how you styled these looks.
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