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Fashion and Personal Values – How Staying In Budget Can Make a Difference
Fashion is more than just a personal art style – it can actually be an expression of our values. Each time we make a buying decision in the fashion industry, we’re making a statement about our opinions and beliefs. This is why shopping for affordable pieces with a conscience can be such a powerful form of self-expression.
While luxury brands and the latest designer labels can be fun to window-shop, it’s important to think about the connection between our choices and the messages being sent with them. More often than not, it’s the smaller, local and cost-effective retailers that have the biggest impact on our personal values.
The Environmental Impact of Staying In Budget
One of the most important factors when considering fashion purchases is how it affects the environment. Consumers are increasingly aware of the resources needed to create designer items – like water, farming land, raw materials, and chemicals.
As such, buying second-hand and thrift-store items can be an eco-friendly and sustainable way to express our values. Refining pre-existing pieces and making low-cost updates is a great way to stay in fashion while reducing waste and conserving resources.
The Health Benefits of Affordable Fashion
Shopping for inexpensive clothes is also healthier for our bodies. Our skin actually comes into contact with the materials and fabrics used to make what we choose to wear. Synthetic fabrics, for instance, have been milled with potentially toxic chemicals, which can lead to skin irritation, headaches and hormone-disrupting issues.
When shopping for affordable pieces, it’s important to ask about the type of fabrics and materials used to make them, or choose natural fabrics whenever possible. Cotton, linen, and silk are all materials that don’t contain harsh chemicals and are less likely to cause skin rashes and other health issues.
Social Critique Through Affordable Fashion
Fashion critics often argue that affordable fashion can help people send bold and powerful messages. People don’t need expensive designer labels to make a statement – even the most affordable pieces can work with the right styling and techniques.
Getting creative can be the best way to express our views on current topics, such as economic injustice, cultural appropriations, or sexism. Affordable fashion is one way to call out certain trends and use our personal style to make a statement. We don’t need a big budget to get creative and leverage our fashion sense as a way to criticize the status quo.
Expressing Our Values and Staying In Budget
Finding the right balance between our personal fashion sense and our unique values can be a challenge. However, with the right attitude, some creative know-how, and a few affordable pieces, anyone can express themselves through outfit pieces.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when considering fashion and personal values:
- Check the tags: Find out what materials and resources have been used to create an item.
- Stay local: Consider buying from independent, local stores and markets whenever possible, in order to support the local economy.
- Shop responsibly: Look for pieces from ethical, sustainable retailers or thrift stores that specialize in vintage and second-hand pieces.
Choosing your fashion purchases wisely doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your sense of style. There are plenty of affordable pieces on the market that make expressing your values 100% achievable without breaking the bank.
