When we talk about living consciously, it’s a far cry from Gwyneth’s March 2014 tweet where she famously announced the end of her marriage to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin! That “consciously uncoupling” post sent shockwaves through the media world and still has us shaking our heads in disbelief four years on (cue confused emoji).

So what does living consciously entail? As we move further into 2019, never have we been made more aware of the effects our life choices have on the environment. What we eat, how we shop, our responsibility as a consumer comes under greater scrutiny than ever before. 

Aware of this or not, you would find it hard to go about your daily life without hearing the word “sustainable”. Are you making sustainable choices, do you shop sustainable brands? 

The problem we face now is fashion is fast and cheap, trends come and go in the blink of an eye and we all want to keep up with them. The Kardashian’s can debut a new look on the Sunday and by Friday morning there is a copy of it on most fast fashion sites. Kimmy K herself shared a post on Instagram regarding this. Showing her 141 million followers a look from a fitting for her 2018 Miami trip, she commented “p.s. fast fashion brands, can you please wait until I wear this in real life before you knock it off!” 

  

It is true that sustainable fashion brands are growing and the choice is better than ever before but in most cases the cost is high and unachievable for the average consumer. 

So what can we do to help the process along? Here are a few tips to get you started.

Finding your own style would be the best first step. Invest in key pieces that reflect this and use them as wardrobe staples for life (or at least for a full season). 

Don’t follow the new trends religiously, take accents from them and add them to your look. 

Recycle! As the saying goes, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Did you know that charity shops are more than happy to take even damaged or marked clothes? Don’t be afraid to donate that white T-shirt you loved but is covered in make up around the collar! 

Clothes swapping is becoming increasingly more popular, with groups of friends getting together to exchange clothes as well as fun and laughter. 

Why not try second hand clothing? Second hand clothing does not come from charity shops alone. Vintage stores are a dominant feature on today’s high street, offering a wide variety of fashion through the years. They are a perfect place to find that unique second hand piece with a great price point. 

One small change by each of us can make all the difference and get us a little closer to saving the planet, just like superman! 

 

BY: SOPHIE ALLEN