We’ve gathered our Instagram thoughts about being conscious consumers and put it all into one place! We love talking about all the ways we can be more conscious consumers, but we love empowering others to take action with us even more. And we can do this by taking it one step at a time. Step one: Look at price tags as cost per wear, instead of a one-time (one-wear) cost that fast fashion taught us. A change in mindset can change more than your mood. It can fully shift how you show up and approach all the things in your life—conscious consumerism is a shift in mindset. Look back at the clothes you already own and roughly figure out the cost per wear by using this equation: The retail price ÷ how many times it’s been worn = the cost per wear. This number could be eye-opening, frustrating, or cause a little happy dance. When it comes to shopping new or used, try a new approach and look at the retail price as a cost per wear instead of a one-time cost. Step two: Shop using “Do I need it?” and “Do I love it?” Ask yourself often: “Do I love it”—As in, will you not stop thinking about it if you walk away? “Do I need it”—Will you wear it all the time, be able to style it many ways, and does it fill a hole in your closet? If the answer is no (contrary to popular retailers’ beliefs), you can probably pass on it. Step three: Find more ways to love the things you already own. You bought it because you loved it, now how many more ways can you wear it? . . . With a blazer, under a dress, tied with a belt, draped over your shoulders . . . Count the ways! Step four: Always buy items that are there for a long time not just for a good time. There are many things to say about buying quality over quantity, but being kind to the environment and spending less money in the long term are by far our favourites. Let’s also not forget that this allows us to lighten our mental load when it comes to choosing an outfit and we get to keep the things we love for so much longer. Step five: Look past it all and get down to the fine details. It’s very easy to get distracted by fine packaging and beautiful branding—yes we know, look who’s talking right? A pretty pink brand . . . but stay with us for a second. Think of all branding that catches your eye as the first date. You still need to go on more dates, text, scope out their socials, meet the friends, and maybe even talk on the phone (gasp) before you know if you want to commit. Start to look at all beautiful packaging and sweet messaging as the first date, it’s not the selling feature for a long term relationship. You need to dig a little deeper, check the About page, spy those social channels, and maybe even contact them for more details if you can’t find enough. Step six: Miss something for a little before you rebuy. Absence really can make the heart grow fonder. When something has run its last leg, try going without it for a little while. Show yourself how much you really love it or maybe how much you don’t even need it. Step seven: Browse and hold your cart for a day. This is our favourite trick! It’s better than window shopping and better than filling your arms with things only to unload or second guess as you wait in a line. Put items in your cart and just think about it for a day before you officially purchase. Step eight: Share and borrow. This is probably one of the best things we can all do. A little more sharing and lending things to loved ones, especially when it might otherwise mean someone would have to buy something for a one time wear. Step nine: Mend and fix when possible. No better time than now to try this tip! Really, at the end of all this, we will all be able to officially call ourselves ‘conscious consumers’ by default. Step ten: Listen to your intuition. If something feels off or too good to be true, always ask more questions. Ultimately, listen to your intuition always; that initial feeling is usually the correct one. You know we’d love to hear your favourite ways to be a more conscious consumer. Chime in on the comments below!
