The compelling habit of shopping is too hard to resist. Easy access to cheap clothing {fast fashion}, coupled with irresistible deals (think discount codes, free shipping with free returns) makes things worse. The temptation even leads us into buying things we don't need. Result? Our wardrobes are bursting with clothes, expensive real estate is wasted on cheap fashion items, we have piles of things with the tags still on..... and a planet that's suffering.

The abundance of fast fashion has created an environmental and social justice crisis. We have a serious problem of rising landfills due to textile waste (where do you think all your clothes go when you discard them?), unavailability of clean water and clean air, and rising pollution. Of course, there are other issues. Fast fashion = low quality, cheap clothing, but someone is paying the cost for us. Yes, I mean the people who make them. Textile workers are often paid minuscule wages (as low as $50 a month) and are forced to work for long hours in appalling conditions.

Having too many clothes, shoes or bags do not make it easy for us either. In fact, it becomes difficult for us to decide what to wear and also harder to create outfits that we really like. After all, all that clutter is not easy to manage or process. And even if you have the means to keep it well-organized, do you really think it is making your life more fulfilling, or creating an endless desire for more, leaving you feeling empty inside?

Its time we rethink our fashion habits. We can't continue to spend mindlessly on things we don't need and disregard the environment and people in the process. As consumers, we need to stop supporting brands that don't consider the environment, the people who make them and the animals.

It's time to bring a sustainable change in our fashion habits.......

1. We need to declutter our wardrobes. Go back to your closet and really clean it out. If you don't know where to start, then get a copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo to guide you through the process and if reading isn't your thing, watch her series on Netflix to give you a head start.
2. We need to build a capsule wardrobe that has signature, classic pieces within easy reach to make our life easier when it comes to making sartorial choices every morning (or noon or evening). When you are heading out for job interviews, the last thing you want is to waste time rummaging through your wardrobe to find a suitable outfit. Constructing a well-organized capsule wardrobe with minimal number of quality, functional pieces that you love and can wear all-year-round is the perfect solution and can make your life much easier. However, invest in things that are beautifully made, using sustainable fabrics, without using toxic dyes and by paying fair wages to people who made them. Shop from conscious brands who are high on ethics and style.
3. Not just clothing, we need to sort our shoes, handbags and other accessories too. You don't need 20 pairs of ankle boots when one or two stylish versatile pairs can do the trick. Plus, when you are not constantly buying shoes, you can be sure the ones you do get are as high quality as possible.

One of the most important things about creating a more streamlined wardrobe is thinking about how you're going to mix and match various items. Rather than falling into the trap of thinking that you need a new outfit for every different occasion, having staple items that you can combine in different ways is not only going to give you the chance to try plenty of different styles but it means that you're a whole lot more likely to actually wear everything that you have in your closet. This way, you aren't just simplifying your life but are also helping the planet by investing in fewer items and buying things that are sustainably produced with the least harm.

However, when you really "need" something, you can shop but more mindfully this time. Before you actually venture out, make sure to prepare a list of items you need and stick to it.