Refusing To Shop

If you take a look at my Pricephile page, a summary of my fashion purchases this year, I have bouts of not purchasing anything for an entire month. Such is the case for October, since I am still recovering from other non-fashion related expenses.

But since the recession and a purchase of a new kitten, my priorities over fashion have shifted significantly. I have donated and got rid of 3/4 of my wardrobe to Le Chainon, and the rest in the garbage. I realized that buying many clothes is not the solution, and that to be “in fashion” is purely subjective. This is especially apparent when Montreal’s winter is right around the corner, and it is especially then that to be fashionable in -20C weather goes right out the window.

In times of financial constraint, one must prioritize. And like my decision for consumer electronics, I have decided to wait out on my wardrobe until there is an absolute need for replacement.

The statement of not shopping not only demonstrate a great deal of will power against the onslaught of marketing and advertising, but I’m also trying my best not to consume and pollute so much. To buy less means to consume less and in North America, the mantra is all about being a consumer. We buy things to excite us, to make us feel good about ourselves because we associate that what we own is what we are. To think that we are not materialistic, if living in North America, is just baloney. We are more materialistic than we have ever been.

It is this greed of consumerism that drives the retail market. Sure, it creates a lot of jobs, I have no doubt about that. Is there an alternate way for people to work in something else? Absolutely. Do I know what they could be working in? No. I’m not an anthropologist. Humans have developed such a complex life system beyond the basic needs of shelter, food and clothing. Some for the benefit, others only for propelling the greed for money and fame.

Fashion Waste

While it is nice to see the new creations of fashion designers, think of all the waste that they produce in the long run. How many unsold designer garments and non-designer garments are created each year and wasted because of over production? The immediacy that shoppers seek to satisfy their shopping cravings is getting to be beyond ridiculous.  It would be much more economical to have designers take in exact orders of what is needed rather than produce in large (even small) quantities, only to have the left overs discarded to the discount bin and then eventually to the trash can. Because something that is time consuming “costs a lot of money”. But wouldn’t it be worth it?

Because of this, I’m doing my best to only buy essentials (underwear, socks, the likes) in terms of clothing. Any more is indeed superfluous. It is true that clothes are a reflection of one’s self and taste but who are really dressing up for? Ourselves or for others to compliment us? It’s time to reflect and truly think about our choices when it comes to fashion.

My run for Pricephile has another 2 months to end for 2009, I do not intend on buying any more clothes for the rest of the year. For 2010, I intend on spending much less on fashion clothing, perhaps replacing a worn out skirt that I had bought from R&W (cute skirt, but cheap quality). I would only purchase to replace worn or unrepairable clothing.

How will you change your shopping habits?

Image credit:  NYtimes.com