By Tia Rawlings and Travis Smith
Inflation is arguably changing the way the fashion community presents itself, with people having to sacrifice treating themselves to new clothes the way that they did in the past.
Could this mean that all our hard work to promote sustainable clothing is futile?
Despite efforts to make sustainable fashion the future, in recent years people are conflicted as to whether shopping sustainably is cost-efficient to their shrinking clothing budgets – or not.
Expensive high-street brands
Some are finding that their favourite sustainable high-street brands are becoming too expensive.
Luckily, they are easily found in charity shops, so why not shop there instead?
Olivia Thorpe, 22, is a barista who used to love shopping at two clothing brands in particular. “I normally shop at Urban Outfitters and Zara, but my friend told me that she always buys these brands in charity shops,” she said.
“I have been looking in them because the cost of everything is so expensive and I still want to treat myself.”
Vintage costs more – especially designer vintage
However, the classic vintage shops are still sticking to their higher prices, which could mean less business for them.
At myvintage.co.uk, for example, a 1990s “navy ditsy print vintage playsuit” sells for £15, which is a bargain, while a Zandra Rhodes black evening dress goes for £345 and a vintage YSL black cocktail dress sells for £180.
Mary Burton, retired art teacher, 63, was shopping at Blue 17 vintage clothing on Holloway Road.
“This is one of my favourite places to come for authentic vintage clothing that’s affordable, but I’ve definitely been coming less since inflation has gone up,” she said.
“Even the charity shops have got more expensive.”
Statistics from Civic Science show that 36% of people are likely to pay more for eco-friendly/sustainable fashion compared with 64% who are unlikely to do so.
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