The fashion industry in the UK is worth an estimated £26 billion (British Fashion Council figures). However, with this figure there comes a price tag and it’s costing us a small fortune!
We are constantly bombarded with advertisements of high street stores; it seems there is no hiding from the marketing teams behind the likes of Topshop, River Island and other retailers.
We are more connected than ever as well as having more devices and as a result we are subjected to more and more advertising. An upshot of this is that we begin to believe we absolutely NEED things, when we absolutely do not-in sight, in mind.
Consequently, we are an army of zombie consumers, instead of buying what is necessary, we buy what we think is necessary. As a result our wardrobes have become cluttered with tonnes of clothes that are simply taking up room in our homes but leaving a gap in our bank balances.
How do we tackle this very 21st century problem? Simple; buy within your means and only buy what you need. A good start is to clear out the wardrobe and the chest of drawers.
Anything that hasn’t been worn in the last year is clearly not that important in your life: get rid of it! Newry is full to the brim with charity shops that need clothes.
Alternatively, as times are tough you can earn an extra buck by taking your clothes to one of the many ‘cash for clothes’ drop-ins that are scattered all over Newry and Mourne, or there is always good ol’ e-Bay.
Taking this first step not only de-clutters your wardrobe but also gives you a reason to invest in some new pieces. However, I’m not saying you should use this as an excuse to go on a mad shopping spree and simply refill the whole thing.
This is a chance to spend wisely. When it comes to essential items: coats, jackets, jeans and work attire don’t skimp, invest. Choosing well from a good quality, well known brand means your investment really is just that.
On the other hand when it comes to more seasonal clothing, such as summer tops and casual summer dresses, you don’t have to break the bank to look good.
Primark, located in the Buttercrane, is always a favourite for a good bargain and with weather as unpredictable as ours there isn’t much sense in breaking the bank for clothes you won’t get much wear out of…unless you plan on moving to Spain where the sun isn’t quite as shy as Ireland. If it is good quality it should stand the test of time.
Buying less and choosing well can only benefit your bank and your wardrobe as it gives you the opportunity to mix and match your clothes for a more individual style.
Why spend silly money on something you’re only going to wear once? Such hedonism is something that should have been left in the roaring twenties, the last few years have taught us we must be more careful with what we have and not spend more than we have.
Ultimately, whilst, yes it is important to look good and feel confident in what you’re wearing it doesn’t mean you should have to spend a bomb to do so.
Choosing what you buy more carefully gives you a wardrobe even Carrie Bradshaw can envy and an endless catwalk of outfits to choose from without going broke in the mean time.