To Buy or Not to Buy
I recently read an article about the high price of cheap clothing and it got me thinking – who in this current economy can afford to pay the hefty prices that come with ethically made sustainable clothing?
While I’m all for eco-friendly products, I found myself getting a little bit angry. Not angry at what I read in the article – the author certainly makes a very valid argument for the need to purchase eco-friendly fashions, and I completely agree with him – but at the fact that sustainable clothing is too out of reach for most people.
Let me ask you a question: If you have $100 to spend would you spend that $100 on a sustainably made shirt, or would you put it toward your grocery bill? I think a good number of us would opt for buying groceries with that money.
Sustainable products are great, and I understand why they cost more money, but something definitely needs to change so more people have access to high quality sustainable items. We need to demand better from the big manufacturers, and we need to demand more from our law makers – last time I checked our law makers work for us.
In the interim we should take time to reflect on our buying habits – do we really need to own so many pieces of clothing? More often than not clothes are chucked out when the seasons change never to be worn again – like it’s some kind of mortal sin to be seen wearing a dress from last year’s summer season.
If you love the planet and the people on it take stock of how you shop – what we choose to purchase impacts more than just our bank accounts. Instead of buying something inexpensive from one of the big department stores, try shopping for clothing items at your local thrift store. You’d be amazed at what you might find – lots of designer labels end up there and they cost next to nothing. Plus shopping at thrift stores is very eco-friendly and helps to support your local economy too. 
When it comes to buying clothing, is all about ethics or price for you? Have an opinion? Share your thoughts with us below, send us a tweet @greenearthbazar, or connect with us on our facebook page. We’d love to know what you think!
Michelle
I'm a lover of life and all things natural and organic. I love practicing yoga, making healthy foods, nature photography, DIY projects, making homemade beauty treats, and creating handmade jewelry. I'm passionate about a lot of things and write about them here on my blog. Peace, social justice, good food, green beauty, sustainable living - you name it, I care about it. Thanks for taking the time to visit me. Peace. ;)
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I would DEFINITELY buy the groceries and just wear what I already have for clothes…until they are rags!
Hi Jessica,
Good for you! That’s my philosophy too. I feel good wearing things out, including my wardrobe.
Thanks for the visit, and for taking the time to leave a comment. Peace.
First of all hi from sits!
I used to write another blog called plastics and the planet, actually I hope to get back to it. I used to get very upset when I monitored my niche. So many of the environmentalist seem to have huge monetary resources and poor understanding of the science behind “green”. For example they would get upset about the fact that the plastic on the side of the road was not biodegradable. Biodegradable plastic on the side of the road is not biodegradable, it requires industrial scale compost.
Some of the sustainable clothing I have seen for sale is addressing a first world problem, that of appearing to be eco-friendly. Second hand clothes is so much better. Even then I sometimes find it expensive for what it is.
Hi Miriam,
What you’re saying is very true. There certainly is a disconnect between the green movement and everyday reality. Living sustainably doesn’t have to be costly – we do what we can on a very tight budget. One has to ask some serious questions, like is the “green” movement truly about saving the planet, or has it turned into one big cash cow? It seems like we’re not really getting the idea – our society is just as materialistic as ever, only with more eco-friendly toys.
Thanks for the visit, and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment. Peace.
One of the other things to be cognizant of is that “sustainable” clothing such as bamboo is really a trick of greenwashing. Yes, bamboo itself is a sustainable, easily renewable plant. However, the process it takes to make that stalky grass into a fiber that is suitable for clothing? Not so green, not so sustainable, actually quite unfriendly to the earth. Requires lots of chemicals.
http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/09/bamboo-facts-be.html
Truly, in my opinion, the most eco-friendly clothing options ARE thrifts. Most of my wardrobe has come from thrift stores, where NO resources are depleted to manufacture anything new.
Hi Kim,
You’re right. Not everything touted as being “green” really is. And thrift stores totally rock!
Thanks for the visit, and for taking the time to leave a comment (and for linking to my blog)
Peace.