It’s summertime, which means diaries are packed with holidays, weddings and trips out with friends and family to make the most of the sun. And whilst there may be a pressure from social media to buy an entire new wardrobe to fulfill every occasion this summer, there are ways to reduce how much you purchase whilst still looking like 10/10.
With 1.5billion views on #FashionHaul on TikTok alone, fashion experts at LoveTheSales are sharing their top tips on how to be less wasteful with your wardrobe this summer by being more thoughtful with what you buy and maximizing what you already own.
Tip 1
Invest a little more in lasting pieces.
You don’t need to splash out on a brand new wardrobe or build a full collection of high end fashion, but investing a little more cash in a few high quality items means they’ll last much longer and you won’t need to throw clothes away as often.
If you can afford it, a good pair of jeans is unrivaled, these are often the most reliable and well-worn item in your wardrobe and can last for years. The age old fashion statement of “jeans and a nice top” will never die, and for those chillier summer evenings, it can be the perfect outfit for a casual dinner with friends.
You don’t have to break the bank to buy higher quality items, but keep your eyes on discounted designer stores to pick up a great item that will last you years for less.
Tip 2
Build the look with accessories.
It’s easy to think you need to make a huge splash with your outfit alone this summer but you can easily take your ‘basics’ from a 6/10 to a 12/10 by adding accessories you’re going to be able to wear over and over.
One way to do this which lends itself to the current y2k trend is with a chatelaine (a chained belt) or even a body chain to add a bit of grunge or glam depending on your look. Using this example, you can take a simple dress from casual to festival ready or a skirt/t-shirt combo to look like you’re ready for a night out.
Tip 3
Do an audit of your current wardrobe before you splash out.
According to Green Heart Collective, with just 33 items in your wardrobe you could potentially make 25,176 unique outfits but in the UK alone, the average adult has 118 items. Furthermore, 26% of these 118 items were unworn for AT LEAST a year.
Before you rush to do your summer wardrobe shop, take a look at what you already have and when it comes to making a purchase, be thoughtful with what items could complement your existing wardrobe. It’s easy to forget about that gorgeous summer dress that’s been shoved to the back of your wardrobe all winter.
Keeping your wardrobe organised in either colour codes or by category can also be an easy way of seeing what you have and then making a conscious decision on what you want to buy.
Tip 4
Avoid panic buying.
We’ve all done it… leaving an outfit for the summer wedding you were invited to last year until the last minute, or needing five festival outfits but not getting any worthy inspiration until a week before. Leaving your outfit planning until the last minute can often lead to impulse purchases that leave you with clothes you’ll likely never wear.
According to GWI Connecting the Dots trends study, 41% of Gen Z and millennials make an impulse purchase online every 2-3 weeks, rising to 48% among daily TikTok users. For context, this drops to 10% among baby boomers, a salute to the work being done by social media search tools.
Think about how many nights you have on your holiday, or what plans you have coming up and plan each outfit ahead of time to avoid the need for a huge shopping haul.
Tip 5
Look after the clothes you have.
According to Eco Age the average lifetime for a clothing garment in the UK is estimated as just 2.2 years; and an estimated £140 million worth of clothing ending up in landfill each year.
When you’ve bought that new dress for a summer BBQ or a delicate sequin top for a festival, make sure to take care of them after the first wear.
Checking the care label, washing on a cooler temperature, washing inside out and washing clothes less regularly are all ways to improve the lifespan of your wardrobe… though we do recommend washing your clothes after you get back from that festival!
Tip 6
Let your shoes do the walking, and talking.
Every year over 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown out by the public in the UK, with the majority going to landfill. Especially in the summer, it’s common to buy inexpensive shoes that often only last the one season.
Not only can these shoes lead to those nasty holiday blisters, but they can often be thrown out after just a few wears, costing more money in the long run.
Investing in a high quality pair of sandals such as Dr Martens or Birkenstocks can mean you have comfortable and fashionable shoes for years instead of weeks.
Tip 7
Thrift or buy statement outfits 2nd hand.
When it comes to festivals or those big nights out on your holiday, it’s completely understandable to want to make a big statement. But that Little Mermaid inspired dress or sequin pair of flares might not necessarily be something you’re likely to wear again after you’ve posted the pictures on Instagram.
When it comes to ‘one time looks’ rather than letting them go to waste in the back of your wardrobe, use sites like Vinted or Depop so that someone else can enjoy the outfit and you can make some of your money back!
Stuart McClure, Founder & COO at LoveTheSales said:
“There’s nothing wrong with spending your hard earned money on some new outfits for those special summer occasions, afterall, we all want to enjoy our summers and look great. But before you do, carefully consider what you already own and which purchases you can make that can be worn more than once. Investing in high quality lasting items and building our looks with accessories can transform an outfit, meaning you can have a huge choice of looks and add longevity to your wardrobe”.
