A guide to mindful purchasing decisions
By Eva Rodgers
Whether you have a friends birthday, are attending the upcoming Commerce Ball or you just want to look cute on campus there is always an excuse to buy a new outfit. But let’s be real we are Uni students, on a budget and if we bought everything on our wish list we would be broke and out of closet space, so how do we decide what purchases are worth it and which ones aren’t? Money constraints aside, overbuying and unnecessary purchases are a big environmental concern, with textile waste in Australia at an all-time high. So, when deciding do I or don’t I here are some great tips to keep in mind:
1. Is it a micro trend? From cow print to chunky plastic rings, micro trends are all around us.Micro trends aren’t too hard to identify, you will usually find them circulating on social media, and stocked for a short period of time in fast fashion stores. They can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months and are curated to promote consumerism and fast fashion.
Micro trends can lead us to make impulsive purchases that are worn a few times and then thrown to the back of the closet, never to be seen again. Buying into micro trends can limit you from finding your true style, and from making mindful fashion choices.
Usually if a clothing item or accessory is
1) All over your social media feed
2) Stocked in all the fast fashion stores
3) Poor quality
It’s likely to be a micro trend.
Now I am not saying don’t buy something just because it is trending but be cautious of the rapid trend cycle when making purchases. Think to yourself - do you genuinely love this piece? Or are you just seeing it everywhere online?
Obviously if any of these micro trends resonate with you and you truly love them go for it! Don’t stop yourself from buying something just because it’s a micro trend: the best way to combat these trend cycles is by continuing to wear the ‘outdated clothes’ because we love them.
However, the only way you will know if you love a trend is by taking your time to think through purchasing decisions, and that brings me into my next tip.
Think it through:
The best fashion decisions are those made with time. Sometimes I will try on a new piece of clothing, love it in the change room, go away to think about it and then forget about it within 24 hours. Other times I will be thinking about the clothing piece continuously, showing my authentic love for it. The best way to know if you love a piece or are just caught up in the moment is to take a week or two to think it through. Whilst you are making the decision here are some considerations to help you determine if that clothing piece has a meaningful spot in your wardrobe:
- Is it versatile? Go home and see what clothing pieces you could style it with.
- How many times can I wear this piece? Try avoiding buying a clothing item if you only plan on wearing it once or twice.
- Do some Maths and calculate how many hours of work you need to do to earn this piece. For example, is this leopard tie up top worth 3 hours of work?
After thinking it over for a few weeks and running through these steps you will have a much clearer idea as to whether this piece is right for you and your bank account.
The best way to avoid poor purchasing decisions is not buying impulsively!
Instead of buying something new….
My final tip is to find other ways to bring new clothing into your life without buying something new. If I have a dressy event, I love to rent an outfit, especially if I know I won’t wear it again. There are so many great renting businesses in Melbourne, with many ran by people our age who get the vision! Some of my favourites at the moment are:
@hireme_au
@forherhiremelb
@gk_drobe (I’m hiring my Commerce Ball dress from here!)
I also love to do clothing swaps with my friends. If you have similar style and are the same size as one of your friends borrow or swap clothing pieces. This is a great way to double your wardrobe without having to spend your hard-earned money on new clothes.
Second hand shops are also a great option for buying new clothes at a discounted prices, and with sustainability in mind. The great thing about second hand shopping is it’s a lot easier to avoid micro trends, and you can find unique pieces. Keep in mind, impulse buying can still occur when shopping second hand, so still keep in mind tips one and two when making second hand purchases.
I hope you keep these tips in mind next time you are browsing Melbourne Central or Online shopping, your future self will be grateful.
Happy shopping!
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