How to Lower Your Consumption in the New Year

 
 

Any fashion-forward baddie knows that lowering consumption can be the hardest climb, especially when developing personal style. However, lowering your consumption can function alongside and benefit your style. You can be a cool baddie and also be a susty baddie. 

Based on a little investigation, we learned that the SB community is zoned in on lowering consumption, but collectively, we are struggling to make it happen. Social media, shopping habits, trend culture, peer pressure (from family and friends), and the challenge of purging old clothes are just a few of the many struggles that baddies face. 

So, SB community members came to our rescue with tips and tricks to buy less and utilize more. What did they have to say, you ask? Find out below!

Participate in a Challenge:

No-Buy January

For January (or any month you want, there are no rules to lowering your consumption) some baddies are only spending money on the essentials. That means limiting your purchases to only necessities. This can be the perfect way to enter the next month with a clean slate and to practice intentionality. 

What does essential mean to you? Are the things you spend your money on lately truly essentials?

75 Hard Style Challenge from Mandy Lee

 
@oldloserinbrooklyn Kicking off 2024 with a style challenge! If you want to start the new year off by glowing up, saving money, getting more use out of your closet and firming up your personal style this one’s for you. 75 days of intentionally getting dressed, collecting data, and discovering what you naturally gravitate towards. I’ve used this method many times and it’s one of my favorite easy ways to get back in touch with myself and see my clothes in a new exciting light. Challenge Rules: Get dressed everyday for 75 days Document your daily outfits Do not buy anything new Set your challenge goals/intentions Get creative and rely on your own brain for inspiration Organize + clean out your closet I will be taking part in the challenge and my personal goals are to start wearing pants more, firming up my casual style, and experiment with new shapes and silhouettes. I hope you’ll join me! #personalstyle #fashion #75hardstylechallenge ♬ original sound - Mandy Lee
 

The only 75 Hard challenge we want to participate in is Mandy Lee’s. The point is to rely on what is in your closet but to still be intentional and have fun with your style. You can follow along with Mandy and other creators using the hashtag to get inspiration on how to style yourself without excess consumption. 

Here’s the gist: 

  • Get dressed every day for 75 days

  • Document your daily outfits

  • Do not buy anything new

  • Set your challenge goals/intentions

  • Get creative and rely on your brain for inspiration

  • Organize + clean out your closet

Sustainable Sabs only buying 5 new items in 2024

Sabs, queen of all things susty living and fashion, is challenging herself and her audience to commit to only buying 5 new items in 2024. This means she is committed to thrifting or renting every other item of clothing that she gets this year. You can expand this to include more than just clothes too!

Make some fashion resolutions:


Human Repeller Fashion Resolutions 

 
 

As always, we are feeling very inspired by Em Seely Katz's fashion resolutions for 2024. Em’s resolutions remind us what it means to be intentional about our style choices and how that can help us lessen our consumption. Also, their resolutions remind us to be thoughtful about our purchases.


Repair Month

 
 

Emilia Petrarca from Shop Rat is designating January as “repair month.” Instead of buying new things, Emilia is dedicated to mending, fixing, and repairing the things in her closet that she previously deemed no longer usable. You can follow along on the substack thread for help on your repairing journey!


Make it Happen!:

Do your research 

Before buying something new (or used) look at the reviews of the product and the seller. Read the measurements and compare them with your own to make sure that you receive a product that will work for your space or your body. If you can’t find good reviews online, check Reddit or other discussion boards. 

Make wishlists for when you thrift 

If you see a pair of shoes that you can not live without at the store, check Depop, eBay, or Poshmark before buying new. Go into your thrifting sessions with your list in mind to make sure you don’t head home with a bag full of sh*t you do not need! Intentionality is key!

Pros/Cons list 

Before you make a purchase no matter how big or small, weigh the cost/benefit. How long will it last? Where will you store it? How often will you wear/use it? Can you share it with friends? Have you been searching for it? Is it useful for more than one occasion? You know how to make a list like this, you’ve done it before a breakup–now start doing it before a purchase. Thank us later. 

Who to follow

Tons of creators are lowering consumption and still getting creative with style. Here are some of your recs, as well as our faves! 

  1. Glory Allan

  2. Jazmine Rogers

  3. Kyron Warrick

  4. Jessica Clifton (amazing creator for consumption outside of fashion/style!) 

  5. J Glo Thrifts

  6. Lydia Okello

  7. Lindsey Rem

  8. El Killer