#NoNewClothes Sustainable Shopping Challenge

From June 10th-September 10th I'm making a pledge to buy #nonewclothes. I'm signing onto this challenge with some other Re/make ambassadors worldwide. Will you join me?

If you know me or have been following me on social media, you probably already know that I put a lot of thought into the purchases I make. Be it buying most of my food from bulk bins at the grocery store or supporting apparel brands that produce ethically and sustainability, I really try to use my dollar as a vote.

I can't remember the last time I just bought something random because it was cute from a store that didn't align to my values, but it's HARD to make that mental switch to be so conscious of it.

SO, I invite you to join me on this challenge of buying #nonewclothes this summer! Although it would be great to actually reduce your consumption completely, that's not always possible, and that's okay! Here's what I'm asking you to do if you do want or need to buy something.

1. Do you need to buy it new? Try renting (especially for special occasions!), thrifting (online or in-store), and consignment. As the weather gets nicer it's also yard sale season! OR even better, host a clothing swap with friends! For non-apparel items (although I'm sure you can find them here as well), I've had a lot of success with Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, and even Craigslist.
2. Fine...you need to get something new...RESEARCH! Use DoneGood's Google Chrome plugin to get brand suggestions and savings codes to purchase from brands that are more ethical and sustainable. Follow Re/make on Instagram or check out their website for brands that have their seal of approval. There are amazing brands out there making a positive impact on this world, and if you can, you should support them.
3. Ask yourself if you love the item. Will you get #30wears from it? You should aim to wear more, buy less, and think about how the item fits into your current wardrobe...and ideally wear it more than thirty times.
4. Look at the fiber content! This may seem tedious and unnecessary, but it's actually a great way to think about the circularity of your wardrobe. Right now, the technology to recycle textiles is not at the point where they can efficiently split textile blends to regenerate fibers. Items that are 100% one type of fiber, and made of natural fibers (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.) would be the easiest to break back down. Cotton can be a really water and chemical intensive crop, but really this leads us down a whole rabbit hole. Try your best, that's all I'm asking.
5. Think about the people who make our clothes. Think about the farmers who grow the fibers and the factory workers to spin them into thread. Think about how much your item you want to buy is being sold for (if you're buying new) and do some simple math. Typical retail markup is about 70%. If you're buying an item that is selling for less than a latte, there is no way that supply chain is ethical. Save your emotional purchases for the thrift store!

I'm asking you to join me and buy #nonewclothes this summer. Try it with me? Tag me on Instagram (@samanthakirsch) if you go for it, and share it with your friends too!