When it comes to the future of fashion and textiles, we have a responsibility as stakeholders in the fashion industry says Natalie Shehata, eco stylist and founding editor of tommie Magazine.
Whether that is as designers, makers, suppliers or consumers, she believes we are responsible for committing to change through leadership, conscious decision-making and collaboration.
Here, Shehata shares her top tips on how to shop with integrity while remaining stylish.
1 Shop vintage and second hand
The circular fashion economy is where the future of fashion is, so always try to shop second hand first. Supporting your local op shop is a win-win—you get items that are new to you while giving money to charities and diverting waste from landfill.
Shopping vintage is my personal favourite because you’re saying no to fast fashion trends and investing in personal, individual style and pieces that are one of a kind. For me, there’s no greater feeling than picking up a vintage piece and imagining how far it’s travelled.
2 Rent before you buy
Australians are the second largest consumers of textiles, buying on average 27 kilograms of new clothing or textiles per year. Over recent years, we’ve seen a shift in businesses offering clothing hire services, which is perfect for those special one-off events.
3 Do your research and shop your values
If you want to buy new clothing but still want to make a meaningful impact, search for brands and designers that are going the distance to produce clothing that aligns with your values as a consumer, and have this conscious shopping criteria as a checklist whenever you purchase something new. Are you interested in workers’ rights, the environment, animal welfare or female made products? If so, shop according to these values.
Ethical companies I’m looking forward to seeing more from at Life Instyle include Annukka, Brindabella Fusion, Cloth & Co and Lambchopsocks.
Don’t be scared to reach out to your favourite designer or label to find out how and where their clothes are made. Become educated about the type of clothing and materials they source and where it’s coming from.
4 Don’t shop on a whim―shopping is about mindfulness
Being mindful is a practice, a way of living. We’ve become more mindful about the types of food we choose to consume; now it’s time to think about the clothes we choose to wear. It seems simple, but before you even think about jumping online or visiting the shops, ask yourself if you really need that new item of clothing. Instead look to your own wardrobe, get creative and style things in ways you wouldn’t before―it’s that easy. Remember, fashion is about having fun!
5 Buy less and choose well
As Vivienne Westwood famously said, ‘Buy less, choose well, make it last’. It seems we’ve become such a throwaway society, living in a culture of wear once and throw it away. The rule of thumb when buying something new is asking yourself, ‘Am I going to be able to wear this for a minimum of 30 wears?’ If not, don’t buy it.
Lots of people throw away their old clothes because of simple things like buttons or hems having come off or apart―learn some simple sewing techniques and get mending and repairing. Or take your garment to your local alterations shop. We need to go back to our how our ancestors lived―slower, with more intention and integrity.
Shehata will be discussing these tips and more in her Conversation Series seminar at Life Instyle Melbourne next week.
