The art of concious consumerism

The world is a big old messy place right? There are a bunch of things big and small that make us mad, sad, frustrated or down right furious but we don’t feel like we can change or control them. Fashion is one of those things for me.

I started Wear the Damn Dress to challenge years of self loathing for my body - I’d felt undeserving of fashion, style. I’d decided to push myself to find ways to wear what I wanted while I was the shape and size I was and focused on owning as many items as I could to celebrate my new found commitment to confidence.

And own many things I did. I consumed quantities of everything, as much as I could. During Covid my online shopping was my full time job. I saw the postie more than I saw my friends. And then every four months I would have to do a vicious cull of my wardrobe because there was simply too much, I couldn’t wear it all or simply didn’t want to wear it all. I’d take a photo, post then shove it back into the cupboard never to be worn again. Then I’d cull it and start over, filling my wardrobe with more pieces that never saw the light of day until they were dumped in the Vinnie bin.

Now - this is not an uncommon practice and I’m not having a go. I still do this from time to time. We are living in a world where consumption is king (or queen) and it is a very easy thing to be pulled into. There were a few major turning points for me that changed the way I shopped and my approach toward owning all the things. I started to realise exactly how much money I was spending on cheap junk, and how much of it was being put in a donation bin (so basically how much money I was wasting). I became more concious of the impact of fashion on the environment and the conditions necessary for people to make a $5-$20 garment. Finally I saw so many small businesses who aligned with what I want to see in the industry begin to shut down. So I focused on two things.

1. Values alignment

I desperately wanted to support plus-size businesses but was actually spending my dollars at Kmart, Big W, Target . I would happily drop $200 on a “haul” of as many clothes as I could there (half of which would’t fit me or I wouldn’t wear) but baulk at spending $150 on one item from a small business who needed the sale.

I wanted brands to be more inclusive but would happily spend my cash at stores that stopped at a size 16 because it fit me so that was ok.

I wanted to be more sustainable and was appalled to hear of conditions in some garment factories but would drop a bundle on a SHEIN purchase because they were making the style I wanted (without really wondering how they were churning out so much so quickly).

I’m only one person, but my money matters. All of our money matters to us and especially to businesses. Once I did a solid reflection on my shopping habits I made a few value based commitments to myself and where I spend my money so it aligns with what I believe in:

• I save and support small where I can. I do my research and support small businesses - spending a bit more on one quality garment than buying 5-10 low quality items. Small businesses are closing down left, right and centre. These brands are doing the work in terms of sizing and trying to cater to a more diverse market, while most mainstream brands are not (like Witchery who are actually going backwards in terms of size inclusion)

• I do not shop at stores that don’t stock at least a size 18 and prioritise purchases from brands that offer more. I am passionate about size inclusion so I want to support brands who are making the effort and not hand over my cash to those who are not.

• I am more concious on how my clothes are made. I do not shop at SHEIN in particular and am more diligent about my contribution to fast fashion. I acknowledge there is a difference between purchasing low cost garments because I have to vs my want to just own lots of stuff. A friend once very accurately stated she was not willing to support appalling working conditions just so she can wear cute stuff and I tend to agree.

2. More isn’t more

There is a short lived dopamine hit that comes from shopping and the good old “add to cart”. But that’s balanced out by the frustration and panic of having a wardrobe over flowing with stuff I don’t wear! The money I was spending, to then have it rotate back out the door, usually into a donation bin was terrifying.

Concious purchasing decisions and a commitment to finding ways to wear more of what I had is more cost effective, sustainable and actually takes some of the stress out of getting ready in the morning.

Does this mean I only buy expensive stuff? Nope. But if I buy a piece from Kmart for $20 it’s still got to be considered like a piece that I would buy for $200. I am making sure it makes sense in my wardrobe, fits me well and will get lots of wear so it doesn’t end up in a wardrobe full four months later which is basically the equivalent of putting money in the bin.

More is more didn’t work for me long term - conscious purchasing makes me feel better about my choices and about what I wear.

My platform still showcases great brands at different price points - but I’ve brought a stronger focus on styling what you have, or maximising the options for the pieces you might purchase so they present better value for you when you get them.

The art of concious purchasing isn’t about spending hundreds of dollars on organic cotton hand sewn garments, or demonising Kmart. It’s about putting a layer of mindfulness over your purchases so they reflect what matters to you and puts your dollars in the right place.

You don’t have to single handedly change the world, but you should remember that if everyone spent their money like this then change would happen! You can’t do all of it but you can be part of it in your own way.

Happy (and mindful) shopping x