Just because something is beautiful and we like it, doesn’t mean we have to have it. We often indulge ourselves with excuses like “I’ve worked hard, I deserve it”. But no! Rewarding fatigue and effort with material goods is not a sustainable strategy. If you really worked hard, reward yourself with a day trip, a hike in the mountains, a day at the ‘SPA’ center. Give your body and mind what they really need.
To better navigate decisions of this kind, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does it match your lifestyle?
Not everything that attracts you is for you. It may not be your style, or your lifestyle. In my case, since I use my bike every day, many models of skirts and dresses are unsuitable for me. They are either too short, or too tight, or too long and gets stuck in the brakes. That’s why I think 2-3 times before buying a skirt or a dress.
2. Is it really for you, if you can’t afford it today?
I’ve never believed in owning things I can’t truly afford. We are not talking about saving here, but about the cult of consumption.
Here’s a financial tip, suitable for large purchases: If you don’t have the money to buy three times an item right now, it means it is beyond your means. If it’s not something really important, there is no need to force yourself.
3. How many other clothes do you need to buy for this item to make sense?
I try to avoid buying things that will simply sit in the closet. And the analysis I do is simple:
- With what will I wear it?
- For what occasions can I wear it?
- Do these occasions include cycling? (in my case)
If a purchase requires two or three more purchases to function as an outfit, trust me, it’s not worth it. It’ll either sit in your closet, or you’ll spend more money just to “justify” it.
4. Will this item last?
As you’ve often heard me say: buy nice or buy twice. We often fall into the trap of fast fashion, clothes in the 9.99 category, that even if we only wear them 2-3 times, we think: “it’s okay, it was cheap.” But is it worth it? Ask yourself: Is the pleasure of wearing something new just once worth it, only to throw it in the trash?
Garbage may not last long in your house, but it stays on this planet for over 100 years. Think about it: 100 years of pollution for using something only 2 or 3 times. Doesn’t sound sustainable at all, does it?
Clothes should express who you are, communicate your personality and values. A white shirt will send out almost the same message, no matter how many pairs you have. Do we really need every possible version of a dress or shirt? Or is just one that will last us a long time? Styling it with different accessories, may give it a new flavor.
5. What’s behind the massive discounts?
Discounts tempt us all. But think about it: How is it possible for a garment to cost so little? Because you don’t pay the real price. Nor does the brand. However people in the poorest corners of the world, working in slave conditions, without insurance, for long hours. Countries that receive what other countries consume are the ones who pay the price. Manufacturers don’t think about what they leave behind.
Entire beaches in Ghana and many other poor countries are littered with “9.99 products.” And if you think you’re donating your old clothes and helping someone, in most cases, those donations simply end up in landfills. Clothes that no one needs anymore, because no one needs so much, especially products designed to be consumed quickly.
The only ones who get the support by this system are the shareholders of fast fashion giants. They have no intention to reduce production. All “green” campaigns are usually “greenwashing”. Recycling is not the solution, reduction is.
Practical advice:
- Black Tie: Borrow from friends or rent them.
- Be honest with yourself: Are you buying for yourself, or to prove something to society? I’m sure you have enough clothes at the moment you’re reading this.
- If you really want to buy something, make an assessment based on the questions above and take a decision.
How many hours of work did your last shopping cart cost?
I have been using this method for over 10 years. Take the price of an item you want, or items if they are in the 9.99 category, and turn it into working hours. How many hours of your life would you sacrifice to make the purchase? Is it worth it? They are not just working hours, but life. Moments when you were not with your family, you were not with friends, you were not doing something for your own pleasure.
If it is not a need, but a whim, the answer is: no, it is not worth it.
How do I understand if a product is worth buying, besides all that we’ve said?
I will give a practical example. I live in Albania, and in this climate I need a good jacket for winter and waterproof boots for rainy days. Admittedly, I have two pairs I alternate between: one in black, the other in brown. But any additional sweatshirt beyond these is whim, it is short-term pleasure, it’s a waste.
We can channel short-term whims and pleasures into experiences, into precious time with family and friends, things that feed the soul, not the closet.
