TL;DR I started a no new clothing challenge in 2023 and became a more conscious consumer, so I’m doing it again this year.
I only bought one brand new fashion item in 2023, and it was this floral dress I wore on a trip to El Nido, Palawan.
The day before this photo was taken, I spent a few hours at the department store looking for just the right dress. I imagined myself wearing it against a picturesque background and posting it on Instagram.
I didn’t know it then, but that day in January was the last time I bought brand new.
For the rest of 2023, I was on a self-imposed No new clothing challenge with one major rule: Choose secondhand over brand new.
My mindset towards fashion and consumerism has completely changed a year later and I’m sharing my experience with you.
Why I started the challenge
As a writer in the sustainability space, the hours I spend on research involve poring through pages of data and reports on climate realities.
The articles I wrote for Panublix in particular exposed me to the fashion industry’s environmental impact, and I found that it’s not as nice and shiny as the store displays of big fashion brands.
Fashion is a major contributor to the world’s carbon emissions yet it’s not usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think about global warming.
Here’s the reality – most of our clothes are plastic. 60% of garments are made from polyester and other fossil fuel-derived materials. And we keep producing more than we need.
This huge problem requires an industry-wide solution, more than any individual or small group can solve alone.
Still, I felt that I had to do something. Conscious of my role as a consumer, I took this chance to reevaluate my relationship with clothing and fashion.
How I shifted to conscious consumption
1. I got rid of the “wear only once” mindset.
Honestly, this is the biggest obstacle to buying less.
It took me a long time to question thoughts like these:
- I’m going on a trip so I need IG-worthy outfits.
- I’m attending an event so I have to shop for a nice dress online.
- I can’t show up wearing this because I already wore it in a photo posted before.
My default response was to buy something new, especially since shopping is so convenient nowadays. A quick trip to the mall or add-to-cart in online shopping apps could easily solve my dilemma.
What initially helped me break free from this mindset is reducing my social media use. Because I shared less photos, I didn’t feel like I had to be in a different outfit everytime I post.
I also restricted myself from shopping apps like Lazada and Shopee. Less time scrolling on apps means less exposure to fast-paced trends and deals.
I became more conscious about my fashion and shopping choices, asking instead:
- Does it have to be brand new?
- Do I have to order online?
- Why not wear a previous outfit?
Each decision involved an honest reflection if there was a need to buy or if it was just an unconscious response.
Over time, I became more comfortable with wearing the same thing twice even if I would post photos. I know because I accidentally wore one outfit to two similar events and I didn’t feel bad about it!
2. I stopped buying brand new and bought secondhand instead.
After the floral dress, I made a promise to only buy secondhand clothes for the rest of the year. This applied to my online and offline shopping, with the exception of small items like underwear, hairnets, and stockings for hygienic purposes.
I turned to thrift shops, called “ukay-ukay” in Filipino, whenever I needed “new” clothes to wear for events or trips.
A familiar view for ukay-ukay shoppers: Racks of secondhand clothes hung on neon green hangers.
At first I only bought secondhand items at physical stores but that changed around midyear, when I was searching for a replacement bag. I found someone selling a design I like on Carousell and I wanted it so badly that I made an account just to buy it.
My secondhand bags: a sling bag from a local brand and a good quality leather bag, both from Carousell. (P.S. The flower is a prop I made!)
After this positive experience, I considered it good practice to check Carousell and Facebook Marketplace first for reasonable deals on clothes, bags, devices and other items I’d like to buy. I also started selling my own items on the platform, helping me declutter and earn at the same time!
3. I revisited my closet and repaired unused/faulty items.
I KonMari-ed my closet more than once and ended up with several boxes of clothing I stopped using. Sorting through them, I sold or donated those I didn’t need and kept the ones I still like.
Two boxes of unworn denims to be given away.
Trying them on after a long time made me realize why I never wore them again: They just didn’t fit right. Too loose, too long, and sometimes unflattering, but a few alterations could make them work for my body type.
I don’t have the right skills yet to alter clothes so I took them to local seamstresses. It feels great to finally wear the pieces that only used to take up space!
I also found a reliable cobbler who can repair zippers, stitch bags, and fix shoes to make them functional again.
Alterations don’t just cost less than buying brand new, they also extend the life of items despite wear and tear.
I no longer think about buying a new replacement right away.
I learned many things from this challenge, but the most important lesson is this: Loved things last.
Rethinking my relationship with my clothing, bags, and accessories led me to climate-friendlier alternatives like thrifting and repair.
This also helped me develop my personal style because I only chose what I felt comfortable in rather than trendy items that only end up stored in my closet indefinitely.
What’s next?
I’m joining the Rule of 5 Challenge this 2024. Recognizing the fashion industry’s environmental impact, the movement helps you break away from mindless shopping (looking at you fast fashion brands!) and opt for high-quality items that you truly value.
Since I’m limited to only 5 brand new purchases, I’m making them count.
My new rules for 2024
- Buy from conscious brands. This time, I’m not limiting myself to only second hand. I’m keeping an eye out for eco-conscious brands and designers. If they happen to have something I’m looking for, I’ll opt to buy brand new to support their work.
- Continue decluttering. Rather than doing this all at once, what I do now is immediately move pieces to the separate boxes for donation, selling, or repair if I don’t feel like wearing them anymore. It’s already a habit at this point.
- Rent or borrow clothes for special events. The benefit of being the same size as my sister is I have access to her closet, too! I shopped my wardrobe and swiped a skirt from her closet for an outfit I wore to a wedding.
- Learn DIY repairs – My leather repair kit is on the way as I write this, and I’m eyeing a small sewing machine as a gift to my sister. I’ll leave the clothes mending to her while I focus on repairing bags, accessories, and jewelry.
In a world of fast fashion, one-click shopping, and short-lived trends — it’s possible to be a conscious consumer. As for me, I’m starting with my closet.