The cost of fashion: The modern shopper’s primer on sustainability
DISCLAIMER: Hey reader! Whale of a Sale is a valued partner of theCityMoms. Because of this relationship, we’re sharing a little sponsored content about the biggest kids consignment event in Indiana and how the fashion forward millennial focuses on sustainability. Read on mama…
It’s true, we’ve become a culture obsessed with wanting a seasonal closet refresh.
Following Instagram influencers makes our fingers twitch, just dying to hit that ‘buy now’ button. And why wouldn’t we feel this way? It is easier than ever to get inexpensive clothing shipped right to our door at the speed of an Amazon driver.
DYK the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing annually?
That’s half your body weight in waste... But in clothes! And clothing that contains synthetic materials (like the spandex in your beloved yoga pants) can take hundreds of years to decompose. Our parents purchased 60% less clothing annually and kept their items for twice as long than we do today. That shirt you grabbed during your latest Target run will probably hang in your closet for 3 years before you give it the toss.
What’s the solution here? Do you have to stop shopping to give Mother Nature a break? Nope.
There are 3 simple changes everyone can enact to a positive environmental impact. (Call it the modern shopper’s primer on sustainability!):
Buy pieces of clothing you’ll wear longer. If the average life of an item of clothing was extended by just 3 months, it would reduce the carbon footprint and waste generation by 5-10%. How many times have you purchased a top, because it was on sale, only to get a few wears out of it before it falls apart or loses its shape? Opt for higher-quality items of clothing in classic cuts you see yourself wearing for longer. A good rule of thumb is to consider the ‘cost per wear’ equation (cost of the item divided by the number of uses). Suddenly that $200 coat you’ll wear daily for 10 winters doesn’t like such a bad investment. And if you need a special piece of clothing you only plan to wear once, consider renting. There are great rental options for a special occasion or every day outfit that won’t break the bank and won’t contribute to garment waste.
Buy less. The temptation to buy the latest and greatest is more extreme than ever. “Social media puts pressure on people to spend money they don’t have,” said Katherine Oremerod, author of Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life. We feel a ‘high’ from an endorphin release when we make a purchase. But, often that high doesn’t last and we are left staring at a new pair of shoes wondering if it was worth it after all. Consider a ‘no-buy’ month, season, or even year. Or even a ‘low-buy’ option with strict spending or item limits to help you manage your purchases. Take a moment and inventory your wardrobe. Pull out everything you purchased in the last year and tally up the cost. Now, carefully consider each piece, which are you still happy to own? How much money was wasted on pieces you no longer love? A financial wake-up call can help reset your shopping habits.
Buy secondhand. I know what you are thinking. Sure, you can rent clothes and even buy less for yourself. But what about your ever-growing, always messy kids? You need a stockpile of clothes to make it through the week. Secondhand clothing is perfect for the whole family, but especially kids. Because they grow so quickly, little ones often don’t have the opportunity to wear their clothes for very long (they certainly aren’t making it to that 3-year mark), which means secondhand clothing is often gently used and perfect for subsequent use.
Secondhand shoppers have a variety of options in Indianapolis, especially for the millennial shopper.
You might scour the racks at Goodwill or the Salvation Army and discover some buried treasures. If you are looking for more specific items, consider our favorite resale shop The Toggery for adults or Once Upon a Child for kids.
If you’re looking to hit the motherlode of kids’ apparel and gear, don't miss the biannual Whale of a Sale consignment event.
For over a decade the massive Whale of a Sale Children's Consignment Event has been serving up amazing deals to parents in Indy. Founders Courtney O’Neil and Jennifer Hare are entrepreneurs who got the idea when swapping baby gear among friends. “Everybody had so much baby stuff at their house and didn’t know what to do with it and said, ‘Hey, let’s recycle it and give it new life,” said O’Neil in a recent WISH-TV interview. Today, Whale of a Sale is the largest kids’ consignment event in Indiana with over 100,000 items available at 60-90% off retail prices.
“I’ve been shopping Whale of a Sale for 4 years,” said local momma Sarah Thomas. “I pick up special pieces for my kids at a price I can’t get in the store. The clothes are in great condition It’s better for my wallet and the environment.” Whale of a Sale has clothing through size 16, toys and gear for infants and children, and even maternity wear for mom. So, grab a pal and make a day of saving, shopping, and going green.
Pro tips for scoring big at Whale of a Sale:
Give yourself time to shop, there are over 100,000 items at each sale.
Large IKEA bags are available for shopping, but you can bring your own bags, totes, collapsible wagon or even laundry basket (baskets with wheels are perfect for shopping).
Place large items on ‘hold’ while you shop.
Come back on ½ price Sunday for the best deals - look for the word REDUCE on sales tags to indicate 1/2 price items.
Consignors and vendors get to shop early, so consider signing up to sell for first-dibs on the best stuff.
MORE INFO: Whale of a Sale is held at the Grand Park Events Center - located at 19000 Grand Park Boulevard, Westfield, IN - in Spring and Fall. Visit their website for a detailed shopping schedule, presale tickets, and information to participate as a consigner in future sales.
