Just totted up how much money I’ve spent on clothes since September- a bit shocked.

[Notellinganyone]

I used to keep note of my clothes spending from the start of the school year and fell out of the habit, Just did a tally and have spent just over 2k. I’m a bit shocked but probably shouldn’t be. I shop in a mixture of Jigsaw, Whistles, Marks etc. How does that compare to your spending? Children have now left home so have more disposable income so no debt.

This.

Watch the shopping conspiracy on Netflix, I guarantee you’ll reach your own conclusion and won’t need the advice or opinions of others. It changed my attitude completely to what I buy and how much I buy even though I’m financially sound.
No need to buy it, if you have Netflix it’s still running
www.netflix.com/gb/title/81554996

I have a Zara jacket that’s at least 15 years old. It’s good as new and admired every time I wear it. The reason it’s still going strong is because I have enough clothes not to have worn it to death. My mum used to “retire” clothes when she got sick of them and then resurrect them after two or three years, I do the same. I still spend a lot of money on clothes.

I like to buy from charity shops, eBay etc. I can well afford designer brands and as many clothes as I want etc, I’m not boasting just trying to explain that recycling is the way forward for the planet and future generations to prevent landfill, waste, and destruction of the earth.
watch ‘The Shopping Conspiracy’ https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81554996
You don’t have to pay for it, it’s on Netflix if you have it, it really opens your eyes to what we are doing to our beautiful planet with our need for consumerism and false must have ideas.

Yes I agree, I think a lot of people would change their attitude in this ‘must have’ society if they watched ‘The Shopping Conspiracy’ on Netflix, I know I did!
https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81554996
It’s still on Netflix so no need to buy it/pay for it

If those of us who buy good quality clothes new & then sell them or donate them stopped doing this it would have a serious impact on the bargain hunters ability to buy good stuff at low prices. And on the economy

I never buy in Primark or new look etc. I don't like fast fashion.

I donate/ sell my very nice clothes & shoes v regularly. I don't keep a huge amount since I did a major declutter last year.

Clothes are important to me & I care about what I wear.

I work in a creative field & have great freedom in how I dress. I understand that for some people having a set of work clothes that are inexpensive & worn on rotation work for them but not for my sector.

I've always far preferred fewer, nicer things than loads of cheaper items.

I'm totally fine with what I spend & how I spend it & i absolutely love dressing nicely. It's the same with jewellery

I don't buy costume jewellery to 'match' an outfit but I know people who do. I have some expensive pieces that I wear all the time.

And I like nice leather bags but I'm not into the high end Chanel or Dior etc.

I hate obvious branding on anything

@Westfacing - I’ve never started a thread before and it’s interesting to see how it develops. I’ve been given financial advice- which I absolutely did ask for and don’t need. I do acknowledge the parlous state of the planet but I also don’t feel that buying a handful of well made clothes is a problem.

If those of us who buy good quality clothes new & then sell them or donate them stopped doing this it would have a serious impact on the bargain hunters ability to buy good stuff at low prices. And on the economy

Such a good point.

Agree, a very judgy thread. Decent fabric clothes can be expensive - especially lately - but last. I also have clothes from 2013/14 and before that I have worn absolutely loads and am now sick of, but are still brilliant quality. So to the charity shop they will go now. A wardrobe update can be a good investment.

There are already enough clothes on the planet to clothe the next 6 generations. And as for the idea that we need to shop to fuel the economy - this is the myth that is pushing humanity towards catastrophe, the idea that we can only thrive if we are constantly consuming. Please read The Doughnut Economy by Kate Raworth or any number of other books that lay out why we urgently need to move away from this linear economy which relies on consuming and discarding. I know that one person's choices won't make much difference, we have to shift collectively, but if we all wait for one another then change will never begin.

Pretty sure ‘more or less’ covered this and it’s a made up statistic.

there is no way to estimate what kind of clothing 6 generations would need.

Thats not to say there isn’t over production or waste.

Do give over, you’ve made your point.

Went to out local monthly clothes swap on Saturday. Came away with a good £300 worth for me and the kids, for free 👍

And you think that in 6 generations people will want to wear cheap sweatshop polyester clothes from Primark?

Don't be absurd. By all means campaign against the fast clothes industry but we will still need good quality, durable, natural fabric clothing no matter how much you stamp your feet?

Do you have children @RosePoppyClover ? I'm predicting you do & more than 1 at that.....

She has a point. The fashion industry is one of the worst offenders in terms of climate change. We are buying more and more and wearing the clothes we have less and less. https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/sustainable-fashion/

I was responding to 2 particular arguments made in response to me: that some people need to keep buying new stuff so that other people have second hand clothes to buy - which is nonsense. And that we have to keep buying to keep the economy going - which is also nonsense. Isn't it okay for me to respond to those who raise new points to me? Or should I just 'give over' because these are uncomfortable truths?

@RosePoppyClover you were responding to a point I made.

But I notice you've side stepped my question regarding how many children you have?

I stand by my point that we will continue to need good quality clothing. And I'll continue to purchase at the level I feel comfortable at.

Sorry I didn't see that question. I have 2 DC and I know that means my carbon footprint is huge - as I say, I'm not great. I had them before I realised the dire state of our planet, I think the IPCC report of 2018 was a big influence on me as it was on so many others, and climate & nature reporting of recent years has had cumulative impact on me. I'm very open about my own failings but try to do what I can to explore ways forward with others - ways into happiness and fulfilment that don't also necessitate exploitation and destruction. Whether that's about personal choices or political campaigning or working collectively to try to create concrete change, it all counts. Does that sound overly idealistic or sanctimonious? I guess it does to some, but I think most talk about consumerism and wealth sounds really blinkered, as if we can't bear to face the truth around us.

I have 2 DC and I know that means my carbon footprint is huge - as I say, I'm not great. I had them before I realised the dire state of our planet,

No, you're not great, along with most of us.

It's convenient that you had your children before you chose to then go on to lecture other people about their carbon footprint! And the planet is not in a dire state - it will be here long after we've all gone.

As a PP said, give over!

It does sound overly idealistic and sanctimonious.

As PPs have said, ‘the planet’ will go on just fine for millions of years. Civilisations will have to adapt a bit but the planet will continue regardless of people buying a few clothes.

Rarely buy clothes and when I do it’s charity shops.

Don’t imagine I’ve spent that much in 10 years.

I only ever buy a second hand, from charity shops and Vinted, so all quite cheap. Apart from knickers and some shoes. I often find stuff in the street as well which I pick up wash and wear - it's amazing how many bags of clothes get dumped on the streets. No idea how much I've spent since September, but really hardly anything. Perhaps £50 max.

The main reason I buy second hand is to save money. You can get really good stuff on Vinted for next to nothing that looks new.

@RosePoppyClover

People cherry pick the bits of environmentalism they feel able to do, which leads to statements (all of which I’ve heard) such as:

’I haven’t had children so I can do what I like” (colleague)

”I live in London and use public transport. I’ve never driven or owned a car, so I feel able to take four return flights a year.” (Friend’s daughter)

”I don’t have money and buy very little, so I don’t worry about not recycling glass. I chuck it all in the domestic rubbish collection” (my mother)

It’s futile to try to impose behaviour on others; they just do what they like.

You have two children and you're happy to pop onto this thread to lecture the OP about buying clothes? Motes and beams come to mind. If someone appeared on a thread about having children simply to harangue others about their negative effect on the planet, what would your reaction be?

It is important to consider our impact on the environment, no question about it. But sanctimony and hypocrisy really don't help the cause.

I used to be like this - even worse

I have had a big clear out which helped me realise how much waste I was accumulating.

I also started only using Vinted to buy (unless something REALLY needed) which helps keeps costs down!