Have you ever wondered how much you spend on your clothes every year?
On average, every year people spend around a thousand USD on just clothes with women spending 40% more than men. But is this approach sustainable?
Wanting to stay on trend and keep shopping but not wanting to damage the environment or contribute to child labor is a real task these days. Trying to be woke is not easy. But being a responsible citizen and overall individual doesn’t mean you have to give up the life of a fashionista.
Suppose you haven’t been on the fashion side of social media much. In that case, you must be aware of the wave of sustainable fashion. How the young generation on TikTok is starting a remarkable trend of boycotting certain fast fashion brands due to the promiscuous nature of the brand’s working conditions.
But analyzing your spending habits, calculating the total cost of your wardrobe, and then budgeting that cost can be a significant step in the right direction. Following is a carefully curated guide to help you know what the actual cost of your wardrobe is and tips on how you can manage it.
Cost Per Wear:
First, cost per wear is a calculative value to estimate if an article of clothing you bought was used up to its total price. Cost per wear or CPW calculates the value of an item of clothing by dividing the cost of the finished product by the number of times you’ve worn it. The calculation isn’t extensive at all; anyone can do it.
CPW provides a clear perspective on how some items are not worth all that money. A funky punk shirt you bought that you can’t wear anywhere, but Coachella is not a good investment. On the other hand, a pair of good denim jeans can last you a lifetime, even if you wear them every day.
Be Realistic: (Essentials)
This happens to the best of us. We tend to overestimate the CPW value of an item of clothing in the store. Be realistic; how many times are you going to wear that hot pink pants that you bought impulsively. 2 good photos that you’ll post, and that’s it.
Just because you like an article of clothing doesn’t mean you should get it. The size, the fit, the color, and most importantly, the need for that item should all be in the deciding factors category.
An excellent way to keep yourself in check is to create a list of your essentials. The list of essentials will vary from person to person as people have different styles. But a few essential items are the same in everyone’s wardrobe, like a pair of white socks, dress shoes, a black or brown leather blazer, a white tee, blue and black jeans, etc.
How To Lower CPW?
After calculating the CPW, you’ll know how much you are spending and how much you need to cut down. Analyzing all the items in your wardrobe can be a real eye-opener. You’ll see a pattern too. What items do you tend to buy impulsively, and how much do you actually wear them? Now, to lower the overall cost, there are safe ways.
The first way is to manage your shopping habits. Look for a cheaper alternative to some of your staple items. Look for stores and brands that offer durable clothing items at reasonable prices.
The second way is a no-brainer. Wear the outfits that you buy. Make sure you are making use of all the outfits you buy. Do not stall wearing the clothes you buy just because of social pressure.
Why Use This Approach?
Suppose you haven’t seen the sustainable fashion movement on social media. In that case, you may be wondering why you shouldn’t buy fast fashion regardless of whether you need them or not.
- It saves time and effort. Buying a sustainable article of durable clothing is a far better investment choice than buying an overly cheap one that won’t even last you 10 wears.
- Be smart about your choices. Do not buy a dress just because your favorite celebrity wore it. Just because something looks good in a photo isn’t good enough.
- It’s great for body image. When you constantly think about the long-term use of an item, you’ll be able to shop regardless of fashion trends. This will help you develop your own sense of style.
How To Budget Your Wardrobe?
Now, on to the main question, how do you budget your wardrobe, and is it even possible? To answer the latter, yes! It is possible to ditch all the money spending habits and apply a sustainable method to watch how much you spend.
- According to experts, the average monthly 5% of your income should account for your clothing expenses. Try to not exceed the set amount.
- Weed out your wardrobe. Sort out all your clothes and categorize them. Things you wear daily, what you haven’t worn in months, what’s for special occasions etc. The clothes that you don’t like or don’t feel good in cast them aside. Donate them.
- Look for sustainable brands. Not brands that label themselves sustainable just for the sake of positive PR. Existing sustainable brands.
- Look for thrifting. Now is the best time to be thrifting as fashion has moved to a more individualistic style with many aesthetics. It is doubtful that you won’t be able to find anything you like. Thrift stores are the best source of leather jackets for men and women’s.
- Charity shops are another great option. Not only are you buying vintage items, but you are also contributing to a great cause. You may not find what you like instantly, but keep visiting. Getting used to thrifting takes time. Again, don’t buy anything you don’t like.
- Find ethical brands that provide good quality at affordable prices. Leather brands are one most questions about their source of leather. A cruelty-free source of leather with a transparent chain and sound quality is a must. One such brand is Leatheriza Affinity.
Conclusion:
Public outrage about the environmental crisis and climate change has really changed people’s perspectives on how they live. Fast fashion isn’t just non-durable but is also exploitive of developing countries and encourages child labor in those countries. Besides the apparent exploitation of power and human rights, it damages the environment, especially the ocean, with all the waste.
Managing the cost of your wardrobe is a good decision both personally and environment-wise. Investing less time in how an outfit looks and focusing more on the usability, durability, and sustainability of the clothes is a great initiative everyone should consider.
