Buy and care
Not only does sustainable purchasing make an impact, taking care of our clothing and shoes is just as important. By keeping our products beautiful, we ensure that they last longer, which means that re-consumption is less likely to be necessary. With the right maintenance, leather can last a very long time while remaining in fantastic condition. With these tips, you can take optimal care of your boots, for example.Quality over quantity
Good items are worth the investment and often turn out to be cheaper in the long run. Of course, sustainable clothing and shoes often cost more, but this is because they are produced more fairly and are made with the idea that they will last a long time. That is why it can be better to look at the 'cost per wear' - how much does it cost you per time to keep the garment? Often you will end up much cheaper than with fast fashion, where clothing quickly starts to pill and the sole of shoes comes loose or the stitching wears through.Timeless goes with it
It’s fun to follow trends, but they stick around for shorter and shorter periods of time, which means you’ll soon have shoes or clothes in your closet that are never used because they’re out of fashion. Because trends are becoming shorter and shorter (we even call them ‘microtrends’ these days), it’s better to invest in timeless items that will stand the test of time. This means good basics, but also items that you’re so in love with that you know you’ll enjoy them for years and years to come. Are you hesitating about a purchase? Then sleep on it for a night. Have you already forgotten about it, or do you keep thinking about it? There’s your answer.Give it another chance
Are you unexpectedly tired of an item? It can happen, of course! But this absolutely does not mean that the item has to end up in the trash. You have several options to give it a second life:
- Give it to someone close to you. Your daughter, your sister, your mother, your niece… There is bound to be someone who loves the item just as much as you do, and it immediately gives you a special story.
- Donate it. To the drop-in shop, the clothing container or the Red Cross. That way you contribute to people who are less fortunate.
- Pimp it. Bored with a piece of clothing, for example because you think the colour doesn't suit you? See what DIY projects you can undertake to make the item your own again. Paint it, cover it with stones. Does it need a bit more work? Take your shoes to the shoemaker or your garment to a sewing studio and ask what they can do for you.