HOW TO BUY CLOTHING GUILT FREE…

THERE’S NOTHING MORE EXCITING AND UPLIFTING THAN BUYING A NEW FROCK. THAT’S HOW THE TERM “RETAIL THERAPY’ WAS BORN. THESE DAYS HOWEVER WE SOMETIMES FIND OURSELVES CONCERNED BY OUR CONSUMPTION OF NEW STUFF AND IT’S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

ONE ANSWER IS TO BUY QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. IT'S EASY TO BUY CHEAP ITEMS AND THINK YOU'RE GETTING A BARGAIN, BUT HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?  WHAT VALUE HAVE YOU PLACED ON SOMETHING THAT COST SO LITTLE? WILL YOU TOSS IT OUT NEXT SEASON 'COS YOU'RE TIRED OF IT?

HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN YOU'RE OUT SHOPPING....

#1 WHERE IS IT MADE? AS CLOSE TO THE STORE YOU'RE IN AS POSSIBLE! (CHECK THE NEW ARRIVALS PAGE TO FIND OUT WHERE WE SOURCED OUR CURRENT RANGE)

#2 WHAT'S IT MADE FROM? NATURAL FIBRES ARE LONG LASTING AND SOME HAVE LOW IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT...BUT DON'T BE FOOLED BY ALL "GREEN" FABRICS. SOME ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM.

#3 WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR CARE OF THE GARMENT? CARE OF GARMENTS BY THE CONSUMER PROVIDES THE HIGHEST IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE WHOLE CLOTHING SUPPLY CHAIN. HAND-WASH AND MACHINE WASH ITEMS ARE EASY TO CARE FOR . THEY CAN BE DRIED ON YOUR SOLAR/WINDPOWERED DRYER....CLOTHESLINE IF YOU'RE WONDERING! CHOOSE THINGS THAT NEED LITTLE OR NO IRONING...OR JUST LEARN TO USE THE IRON ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. AIR YOUR GARMENTS RATHER THAN WASH THEM. ONLY WASH ITEMS THAT ARE NEXT TO THE SKIN REGULARLY. YOU'LL SOON REALISE THAT YOU WASH CLOTHES WAY TO OFTEN AND THEY WEAR OUT MUCH QUICKER!

#4 WHO MADE IT? MANY AUSTRALIAN LABELS ALSO CARRY THE "NO SWEAT SHOP" TAG INSIDE. THESE ARE MADE IN AN ACCREDITED WORKPLACE WHERE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE FAIR. 

#5 WILL IT LAST? THIS IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF QUALITY BUT OF LONGEVITY IN TERMS OF THE REST OF YOUR WARDROBE. IN OUR EXPERIENCE, THE SMART WOMEN BUY ITEMS THAT ARE TRANSEASONAL AND OF HIGH QUALITY DESIGN AND FIBRE. THIS MEANS THEY MIGHT PAY MORE...EVEN A LOT MORE, BUT THEY SEE THE VALUE OF A PIECE THAT WILL TRANSFORM OTHER BASICS IN THEIR WARDROBE INTO SOMETHING NEW.  TRY BUYING A DRESS OR TUNIC WITH SHORT OR NO SLEEVES. WEAR IT IN THE WARM WEATHER AS IS WITH FLAT SHOES AND LEGGINGS OR LIGHT WEIGHT PANTS. IN COOLER WEATHER, PUT IT WITH A LIGHT WOOL BODY TOP UNDERNEATH, A JACKET ON TOP AND TIGHTS, PANTS OR JEANS AND YOUR FAVOURITE BOOTS. PLAY IN YOUR WARDROBE WITH WHAT MIXES IN. DON'T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT MATCHING...JUST PLAY AND CREATE YOUR OWN STYLE.....WHEN IN DOUBT ASK US!