Let’s be frank, the fashion industry is not good for the planet. It’s a huge polluter and buying less is one of the quickest ways that we can all start to have a more positive impact. But, if you love fashion and get excited at the thought of exploring all the new trends then striking the balance between responsible consumption and still feeling inspired can be difficult. It’s a delicate equation, it’s not all on you to save the planet, but if we can start to live more consciously then it’s something we should strive for. The most sustainable clothes we have are the ones already hanging in our wardrobes, but we’ve all had that feeling when we just start to get a little bit bored. It’s the ‘but I have nothing to wear’ dilemma that we all hate. Looking for a way around this? Keep reading.

Buy classic and versatile items

Picking the pieces that can be restyled each season and that won’t go out of style gives you more flexibility and means you’re less likely to get bored. Think sleeveless knitwear for example - in the winter throw it over a cashmere jumper, in the spring you might slip a shirt underneath and come summer it works on its own with just a pair of shorts and some jewellery.

Pick a few good-quality accessories

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get good quality accessories and they can be one of the fastest ways to refresh an outfit. From layering up necklaces and stacking earrings to changing up the style of bags or shoes, accessories are the quickest way to give an outfit an entirely different feel. 

Rotate your clothes

If you can, at the end of each season put away everything that you know you wont need in the coming months. When the weather changes again and you bring all of the items out of storage you’ll feel reinvigorated. It’s a great way to remind yourself how much you actually love something and it feels like you’ve been shopping without having to spend anything at all. Just make sure everything’s washed and secured in vacuum bags before storing to prevent mould or moths.

Look after things properly

When things start to look tatty or tired we instantly want to start thinking about replacing them. If we take care of them though, repair any holes, get shoes re-heeled and take the time to remove any natural bobbling , it can breathe a whole new life into them. Everything instantly looks a bit smarter, crisper and more considered. Taking care of what we already have is one of the best ways to reduce how often we shop. 

Seek out new inspiration 

There is endless fashion inspiration now, whether you’re scrolling through Pinterest, adding things to your saved folder on Instagram or just scrolling through styling websites, someone always has a new take on how to wear something. Maybe it’s as simple as changing up your hair or layering together a couple of things you hadn’t previously thought of. Take some time to seek out inspiration and remind yourself why what you already have is pretty great. 

Hit unsubscribe

Ok so you really want to buy less? Remove all the temptation. It’s my number 1 tip for buying less and it really works. Get rid of the shopping apps, unsubscribe from the mailing lists and avoid new season edits. We rarely actually need anything new but it’s hard to not be drawn in when you’re getting 30 emails a day, despite your best intentions. Occasionally browsing the websites and treating yourself to something new that you’ve truly considered isn’t the problem here. It’s the impulse purchases and the marketing that leads to you buying the things you don’t really need. Hit unsubscribe and I promise you’ll find yourself hitting ‘add to basket’ far less often.