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Shop your clothes

Join the growing numbers of fashion-conscious Surrey residents changing how they buy clothes, to save themselves money whilst feeling good about what they wear. The fashion industry is the second largest polluter globally, according to the United Nations, and many of us are choosing to dispose of throwaway culture. Change how you shop for the good, one item at a time.

As a nation, almost 70% of us Brits say we’d be happy to pay a bit more for quality clothing products, and a rapidly growing number of us say we’d pay a bit more for items we know don’t have negative ethical or sustainable impacts.

The average item of clothing is worn less than 5 times before it’s thrown away!

Fast fashion may be cheap, but the burden it puts on stressed water supply, to energy use, and the poor working conditions many of the factories use, means we should all think hard about whether we really need another item cluttering up our wardrobe. If you really do need it, consider the many new models for pre-loved or rented clothing.

Choosing to shop more sustainably doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style, and 1/3 of Brits would already try to buy an item second-hand before purchasing new. For the existing items in your wardrobe, embracing the ‘care and repair’ of clothing will ensure they remain in good condition for as long as possible. Alongside a boom in second-hand sites and apps for clothes, renting is also gaining popularity. From high-street options like John Lewis to specific designer rental apps, rental schemes allow people to try different fashions for a fraction of the price, perhaps to attend a wedding or other big event.

The future of fashion depends on you. Take these simple steps to shop more mindfully for clothes and become part of the growing movement of people choosing to be ‘conscious consumers’ of fashion.

  • Learn a new skill by mending and upcycling clothes, through sewing and techniques like natural dyeing. Borrow a sewing kit or machine from your local Library of Things.
  • Free-up space in your home and get cash in your pocket by selling or donating clothing that no longer fit you or suit your style.
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