Buy Well Choose Less Make It Last

 

We all know how fast children grow, It was when my four were little I realised they were  outgrowing their clothes before they were outworn and I started passing things down from child to child, one to get to see the cute outfits again and again and two, it made my money go further, a no brainer! But shopping preloved wasn’t so accessible then.

Fast forward 10 years and I now own the UK’s largest preloved children’s store, stocking over 4000 lines.

‘Show off!’ I hear you cry. Whats great about that?

Well it means you are more likely to find what you are after.

You get dozens of brands all under one roof.

You can shop for multiple children in one place with one postage cost keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum.

And you are supporting another mum!

Sustainability is key at the moment & fashion is one of the worlds biggest polluters.

350,000 tonnes, that’s around £140 million worth of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year.

This equates to more than 30% of our unwanted clothing currently goes to landfill. I could go on with facts and figures but the truth is, it’s all rather depressing. One thing is for sure though, fast fashion will kill the planet!

With that in mind here’s 3 sustainable fashion tips for all the family

1. Invest in quality clothes

This goes for if you are shopping new or preloved, you know the saying - ‘you get what you pay for’

Opt for natural fibres that wear better, the garments look better and they can be passed on, and still look great time and time again.  

2. Rethink your washing habits.

25% of a garment’s carbon footprint comes from the way it’s cared for.

So wash less, is it really dirty? Also wash at lower temperatures. Washing less and at lower temperatures reduces the energy and water used and extends a garment’s lifespan by gently preserving fabrics. Lower temperatures will also help maintain the shape and colour of your clothes.

3. Recycling

It’s suggested that extending a garment’s life by just nine months could reduce carbon, waste and water footprints by around 20 to 30% each. One way to do this is through recycling, pass them on whether it’s to a friend, a charity or to someone like myself where you can earn some cash back.

 

Shopping new is so easy its almost like you don’t need to even think these days but shopping preloved doesn’t need to mean you need to spend countless hours trawling the high street in musty charity shops in the hope you may find something. Things have changed & changed for the better! 

At Sweet Pea we only sell top quality clothing that has been freshly laundered and thoroughly checked.

Why not have a clear out and sell your clothes to us? We offer a free post service too!

 

Preloved shopping tips 

Where to shop?

There’s the likes of Ebay, Depop & Vestiaire Collective that will give you a variety of pretty faceless but effective shopping options. There are charity shops & small preloved business’s are popping up everywhere as well as individuals taking it upon themselves to sell their clothes on social media. This is great if you can find yourself someone that has a slightly older child than yours and you love their style!

You can find preloved business’s that can offer cheap and cheerful through too high end designer brands, it really depends what you are looking for and that suits your budget.

Shop savvy

Look for things that can be adjusted. Roll up jeans & trousers that can be turned up or down to suit. Adjustable waists and adjustable straps on dungarees will give you a little more leeway too.

Be organised

You don’t always have to shop seasonally for ‘right now’ have a look at things that would be good for seasons ahead, chances are you will grab an even bigger bargain

The simple thing is, is that we all need to buy less & we need to make more conscious decisions. It’s not about trying to do everything perfectly, it’s the concept of us all trying to take steps to make a positive difference, and when we all do that? Well, we are unstoppable!

Lucy