How to refuse fast fashion and find the best vintage store [Guide]

Have you ever wanted to make better and more sustainable choices for your life? Have you had moments realizing that your ecological impact was too high? Have you read recommendations about going to vintage stores instead of fast fashion ones but couldn't really integrate the change?

This guide is a summary of tips about the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. It will help you adopt new habits and provide useful information on how to find the best vintage store for you.

A vintage store

What is fast fashion?

It is a term used to describe clothing designs that move quickly from the catwalk to stores to meet new trends. The collections are often based on designs presented at Fashion Week events. Fast fashion allows mainstream consumers to purchase trendy clothing at an affordable price. (Source: Investopedia - article "Fast Fashion")

Why is fast fashion harmful for the environment?

The fashion industry is one of the major polluting industries in the world. The production and distribution of the crops, fibers and garments used in fashion all contribute to different forms of environmental pollution, including water, air and soil pollution. (Source: Wikipedia article "The Environmental Impact Of Fast Fashion")

Why are vintage stores a more sustainable choice?

By buying your clothes in a vintage store you make their life cycle longer and help avoiding a quick disposal and, therefore, minimize the pollution of the landfill.

5 tips to adopt sustainable wardrobe habits :

1. Create your personal style: go to a vintage store and try different garments! Take note of what you like most. There are many Internet resources that help you creating your style, for example:

2. Think about the lifestyle you have (your professional dress code requirements if any).

3. Concentrate your wardrobe (the Pareto law tells us that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes). Choose the items your really enjoy to wear!

4. Buy only when your clothes are used and dispose the old ones in the best way.

5. Find the best vintage store for you.

How to find the best vintage store?

My first advice would be to have a walk around your neighborhood and just to pay attention to the store that are nearby. You can also use Google maps as research tool but keep in mind that many small stores are not referenced on Google maps (Link to: article on Quora "How do I add my local business on Google maps").

Once in the store check the following:

- Ask the salesperson which country do the clothes come from. The style will vary depending on it.

- Carefully check the inventory, often treasures are well hidden!

- Try on! Remember that even when the size tag is on the item the fit will vary depending on the model, the cut and the material. It always worth it to try and to see.

- Check the men's side. This tip is the best kept secret of the most famous fashionistas!

In conclusion

It's not difficult to find better ways to buy clothes and to minimize our impact on the environment but it is difficult to change our habits because it requires consistency, mindfulness and conscious effort. All of this is not the easiest way but it is definitely the best one!