How to shop better

• Learn to always check the composition label, and invest in high quality staple pieces made from natural fibres

There is a reason fast fashion can be cheap.

Less expensive clothes are usually lower quality, made from synthetic fibres.

When we spend very little on something, we tend to see it as less special, and take less care of it.  This disposable mindset combined with the poor quality of the synthetic garment, means it's going to have a short life in your wardobe. 

Stay away from polyester, nylon and acrylic. After a few washes, these clothes will become bobbly and look old.  They may have been cheap, but its such a false economy.  You will no doubt be back in the shops next month buying a new version of the same thing again. 

Research has revealed that putting synthetic fabrics in the washing machine can release hundreds of thousands of tiny fibres that end up being eaten by fish. 

These fibres are harmful for the sea wildlife and for us.  

Fish end up ingesting these fibres, and we eat fish, so ultimately the microfibres end up in us.  These microfibres are toxic and harmful.  

Always look for natural fibres on your care label, such as organic cotton, wool and silk.  

By checking the composition label and only choosing natural fabrics, you are shopping sustainably.

• Know that you don’t always have to buy something

It’s ok to go on a shopping trip and come back empty handed.  We are often forced in to making a purchase, because we haven't found really what we were looking for, but to not have a wasted shopping trip, we buy something anyway.

We need to learn that its ok to just browse. It’s nice to just slow down, have a mooch and see what we find.  

We don't always have to make a purchase.  We should only purchase good quality clothes that we love and that are really what we need.  

• Explore shopping luxury fashion second hand

You can find high quality designer clothing on sites such as Vestiare collective, or Ebay, that have only been worn once or twice.  By shopping in this way, you can purchase a higher quality, better designed product. The fit is most likely much better than a high street fast fashion fit.  Designer clothes go through a lengthy design and fit process, which takes time, unlike fast fashion where they churn out new styles every week.

Let's all commit to buying better.

Let's invest in better quality clothes that will last longer, and give us more incentive to repair and amend, rather than dispose.