A school project required me to visit stores to compare Halloween candy promotions and next to it all- already in October- were bibs'n'bobs for Christmas. We hadn't even had Thanksgiving! It made me think of all the crap we buy and just don't need. All the plastic decorations and wrapping paper and all that other stuff that lasts barely a day before ending in the trash (or hopefully, the recycling at least). Why on earth do we need it?
Recently I went to my storage space and discovered I had enough clothing in there to open a store. Trouble is, not much of it was any good- which is obviously why I never missed it. Most of my good stuff has taken a trip to the consignment shop (how many years of being uncomfortable did it take for me to stop buying fabrics that irritate my sensitive skin?) and now random cheapo stuff is left, and looking a bit forlorn to boot. Out it went.
I have never been a huge consumer- having worked with Europeans for 20 years has definitely trained me in the "buy one, buy well" way of thinking- but even I was surprised at the amount of stuff I had. This made me think about my constant purging and simplification of my apartment (and closet) and if others were also on my bandwagon. We know there's a trend of anti- consumerism to some extent because of the recession but are people buying less because they want to OR have to?
I've already stopped shopping at the fast fashion stores for the most part- aside from the low quality fabrics, I just got sick of seeing myself on the street; but I'm thinking about how I can improve my eco-ness for 2012. I drink shade grown coffee, avoid plastic when i can, compost, won't drink bottled water and anything else that to me is common sense. But fashion is harder- for all of the labels who want to be green, it's not easy. But i have to try harder too. So, the rule will be designer, green or vintage wherever possible. Yeah, I know but designer does tend to last longer because the quality is usually MUCH better.
Oh, and I may just skip Christmas next year, unless I make presents or buy locally made goods from small designers.
So, it makes me ask:
- do you fel the consumer pressure of the holidays? Does it make you buy stuff you'd rather or wouldn't usually buy?
- do you think about being eco or ethically -conscious when you shop for fashion goodies?
I've already stopped shopping at the fast fashion stores for the most part- aside from the low quality fabrics, I just got sick of seeing myself on the street; but I'm thinking about how I can improve my eco-ness for 2012. I drink shade grown coffee, avoid plastic when i can, compost, won't drink bottled water and anything else that to me is common sense. But fashion is harder- for all of the labels who want to be green, it's not easy. But i have to try harder too. So, the rule will be designer, green or vintage wherever possible. Yeah, I know but designer does tend to last longer because the quality is usually MUCH better.
Oh, and I may just skip Christmas next year, unless I make presents or buy locally made goods from small designers.
So, it makes me ask:
- do you fel the consumer pressure of the holidays? Does it make you buy stuff you'd rather or wouldn't usually buy?
- do you think about being eco or ethically -conscious when you shop for fashion goodies?
- do you feel like you have too much stuff and what do you plan to do about it?
1 comment:
Good Post.
I have become less of a consumer too I however can't skip Christmas b/c of my niece's desire for Uggs. Semi-kidding aside
Yes I feel pressure over the holidays Always have. I don't think I buy un-wise anymore though
Yes eco-conscious--and definitely more with jewelry b/c I hardly buy clothes anymore.
Have too much stuff. Just got purged during the holidays--thanks to a very good friend who came over to help me--that would also be the writer of this blog--thank you btw. It was a great start to the New Year. I also gave clothes to charity and jewelry I wasn't wearing to friends and family.
I do believe in buying designer, better quality as it does last longer. I believe in hand made and home made. And I don't believe in impulse shopping anymore or instant gratification. It doesn't last. What lasts are the pieces you think about--what's really you and I realize that I don't need that much--it makes life more simple and I think we all need to pare down just a bit.
I am trying to be more green. That's a definite for the New Year.
So glad you posted a new blog. Always insightful!
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