Do you have any recommendations for when the fabric doesn’t feel good anymore? I want to shop less and rework things I have, but being autistic, I’m extremely sensitive to textures
That totally makes sense. Fabric can make or break whether something feels wearable, and it’s so valid that sensory needs come first.
One thing that can really help is paying attention to your “comfort fabrics.” The ones that always feel good to wear. Knowing what those are makes future purchases more reliable especially when it comes to sensory comfort.
It can also help to have a few go-to outfits made entirely of these fabrics, so getting dressed is less stressful on days when you’re feeling extra sensitive.
If it’s just certain parts (like scratchy seams or tags), sometimes small tweaks can help, like lining a garment, layering a softer piece underneath, or even cutting out tags. But if the whole fabric feels wrong, it might be better to repurpose it into something else or pass it on to someone else who’ll get use out of it.
Sustainable style isn’t about pushing through discomfort, it’s about making choices that actually work for you.
My problem is that clothes shopping is a fun activity that makes me feel happy. I love going to stores and looking through everything and trying on! Thrifting is fun too, but that’s still buying too much stuff. Any suggestions?
I totally get this. Shopping is fun, and we’ve been conditioned to get a dopamine hit from it. It makes sense that it feels good!
Part of the challenge is reconditioning ourselves to find that same joy in shopping our own wardrobes. Putting things away for a few months and rediscovering them later can feel just as exciting as buying something new and so can thrifting.
I don’t think thrifting is ever a bad thing. I really believe you can’t overconsume secondhand in the same way you can with fast fashion. So if you’re trying to cut back but still want that shopping buzz, shifting to thrifting is a great place to start.
Changing habits is hard, especially when they’re tied to something that brings us joy. But it doesn’t mean giving up that joy altogether, just finding new ways to access it.
I LOVE this, Sophie! Yes, buy secondhand! And not all secondhand is thrift! There are great consignment stores in every city and they have designer stuff, if that’s your bag. I have better quality clothes, more designer, and cooler things BECAUSE I shop secondhand.💕
Thank you so much! And yes, such a good point. There’s a whole world of consignment, vintage, and resale platforms that make it easier (and more fun) to find great clothes.
I love that you’ve built a wardrobe that’s better because it’s secondhand, that’s exactly what I wish more people realised!
Do you have any recommendations for when the fabric doesn’t feel good anymore? I want to shop less and rework things I have, but being autistic, I’m extremely sensitive to textures
That totally makes sense. Fabric can make or break whether something feels wearable, and it’s so valid that sensory needs come first.
One thing that can really help is paying attention to your “comfort fabrics.” The ones that always feel good to wear. Knowing what those are makes future purchases more reliable especially when it comes to sensory comfort.
It can also help to have a few go-to outfits made entirely of these fabrics, so getting dressed is less stressful on days when you’re feeling extra sensitive.
If it’s just certain parts (like scratchy seams or tags), sometimes small tweaks can help, like lining a garment, layering a softer piece underneath, or even cutting out tags. But if the whole fabric feels wrong, it might be better to repurpose it into something else or pass it on to someone else who’ll get use out of it.
Sustainable style isn’t about pushing through discomfort, it’s about making choices that actually work for you.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I especially liked your ideas of layering or turning it into something else
My problem is that clothes shopping is a fun activity that makes me feel happy. I love going to stores and looking through everything and trying on! Thrifting is fun too, but that’s still buying too much stuff. Any suggestions?
I totally get this. Shopping is fun, and we’ve been conditioned to get a dopamine hit from it. It makes sense that it feels good!
Part of the challenge is reconditioning ourselves to find that same joy in shopping our own wardrobes. Putting things away for a few months and rediscovering them later can feel just as exciting as buying something new and so can thrifting.
I don’t think thrifting is ever a bad thing. I really believe you can’t overconsume secondhand in the same way you can with fast fashion. So if you’re trying to cut back but still want that shopping buzz, shifting to thrifting is a great place to start.
Changing habits is hard, especially when they’re tied to something that brings us joy. But it doesn’t mean giving up that joy altogether, just finding new ways to access it.
These two posts I wrote might be helpful:
https://aconsideredstyle.substack.com/p/the-challenge-of-buying-less
https://aconsideredstyle.substack.com/p/thrifting-isnt-overconsumption
And I have lots more info on my blog:
https://www.aconsideredlife.co.uk/search/label/fashion
Thank you so much!
I LOVE this, Sophie! Yes, buy secondhand! And not all secondhand is thrift! There are great consignment stores in every city and they have designer stuff, if that’s your bag. I have better quality clothes, more designer, and cooler things BECAUSE I shop secondhand.💕
Thank you for this excellent article!
Thank you so much! And yes, such a good point. There’s a whole world of consignment, vintage, and resale platforms that make it easier (and more fun) to find great clothes.
I love that you’ve built a wardrobe that’s better because it’s secondhand, that’s exactly what I wish more people realised!
Every time I shop secondhand I think, “Why would anyone buy new?”💕