Fashion is a tricky beast to get into sustainably, and it often takes a lot of time to really get into the nitty-gritty that’s underneath those infamous high street brands to the real quality.
Investing in quality clothing is not only kinder on the environment, and kinder on the people employed to make your clothes, it’s also kinder, in the long term, on your bank account.
Knowing how to start purchasing clothes that are going to go the extra mile while actually saving you money, in the long run, is the first step to making the most of your hard-earned cash. And getting those to-die-for pieces that will be the envy of your friends.
How To Invest In Quality
Buy New…But Cheaper
Want to know the magic way to be able to afford those quality clothes? Voucher codes.
There are many reputable companies out there whose sole purpose is to bring you discount codes for well known, higher-end brands that might otherwise be slightly out of your price range!
This is one of the best ways to keep up with the latest trends, get quality clothes and clothing items that are going to go that extra mile, and all while making sure you don’t break the bank. It’s a win-win situation!
Fall In Love With Second Hand
If you’re not too fussy about whether your high-quality clothes are brand new, one of the other best ways to lay your hands on those catwalk styles is to buy second hand!
So many amazing places to grab these bargains are online too, with DePop, eBay, Etsy, Vinted, Preloved and so many other platforms, filled with people selling their own clothes for a fraction of the price you’d be paying in stores.
This is an amazing way of grabbing some gorgeous pieces that you wouldn’t find on the high street. Typically, you have to spend a lot to find unique pieces, but shopping vintage or pre-loved will is cheaper than buying new, and it also tackles the huge surplus of clothes that end up being sent to landfills every year!
Why Should You Invest In Quality?
Good For Your Bank
We all love a ‘basic’. They’re the simplest things to style up. However, like many of us, you might find yourself replacing your basics every season, whether that’s low-cost jeans or vests. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful with the quality of products you purchase, these ‘inexpensive’ basics suck us into a vicious cycle when it comes to buying.
First, the trend cycle is really fast. Not only does this mean that if you spend all your time pouring over the latest releases and then trawling through where to get these items for a fraction of the cost in the high street, but this can also become very expensive. You might find yourself justifying those little spends when you see something nice, more than you really need (we’re all guilty, don’t worry).
Additionally, some of the favoured ‘cheaper’ fabrics are used because it allows retailers to keep their variables down – and therefore sell at a lower price, but many of these are likely to wear thin with a few washes – which means you’re back where you started, having to go through and re-buy all your faves! This wracks up a huge expense, more so than if you bought more expensive items less often.
This doesn’t mean you can’t still shop new items or treat yourself to something new this summer.
If you want to get super scientific, there’s even a formula that can help you work out whether that more expensive item is worth it:
Cost per wear = Price of item/Number of times worn
Using this, you can figure out how much it costs every time you wear your new favourite coat, and see how spending more on an item that will last longer saves you money in the long run!
Good For People
The fashion industry is also filled with many brands where the workers from all over the world make their clothes in sub-par conditions. Though the items that you buy in the store might be cheaply made, they exact a high price when it comes to human labour and unjust working conditions.
Spending a little bit more and investing in ethical brands means you not only look fabulous, but you can feel fabulous because you’re supporting brands that place a high value in treating their workers well.