The 2024 Guide to Shopping Sustainably

This Monday 22^nd April 2024, marks Earth Day. The annual global event works to mobilise the international community to come together to make changes to safeguard our planet and protect its future. Each year, the 53-year-old organisation focuses on a theme to highlight and bring awareness, for 2024, Planet vs Plastics is the key focus, and it couldn’t be more relevant to the fashion economy in which we find ourselves.

We love fashion. That will come as no surprise, we live and breathe it, but we’re not blind to the downfalls of the industry and most notably Fast Fashion. The fashion industry on the whole is a key contributor to landfill pollution. 100 billion garments a year, that’s 87% of all garments produced that end up in landfills – staggering we know. From here, they leave a legacy of contamination, with plastics from unsustainable, synthetic fibres going on to contaminate soils, waterways and the air due to incineration, which further pollutes via the use of fossil fuels.  

But all is not lost, while it isn’t easy to make systematic changes individually, there is power in numbers and collectively we can advocate for change through our purchasing power. From leaving fast fashion in the proverbial dust to leasing your pieces on rental platforms, or buying pre-loved accessories from us truly, there are simple ways to shop greener in 2024.

Shop Second Hand

Whether you prefer the terms second-hand, preowned or preloved, reselling sites are a great place to start when it comes to shopping sustainably in 2024. Call us biased, but reselling platforms are a great way to make greener fashion choices that are more economical too, especially when it comes to luxury goods.

Shopping preloved allows the opportunity to discover vintage finds from the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton to timeless classic pieces from Hermès, Chanel and Dior at more affordable price points. Not only are you adding luxury pieces to your collection for a fraction of their original RRP but you’re also prolonging the lifespan of these pieces; be it a bag, shoes or accessories.

Taking the monetary and environmental reasons aside, buying second-hand also allows you to find a more aesthetically pleasing piece. Hear us out, when you purchase high-quality second-hand bags, it is most likely they will have a patina. But what is patina? Patina is the soft sheen that develops on natural materials such as waxed canvas, denim, metal, and leather. This natural process occurs over time through exposure and everyday use and cannot be replicated on artificial materials – so move over fakes. It is most sought-after by luxury lovers on leather pieces, and as we say, it cannot be replicated and needs time to develop, so buying preloved allows you to jump the process and have the perfect piece that’s already aged gracefully to add to your collection.

All in all, shopping second-hand means you’re helping to create a more sustainable circular fashion economy. By prolonging the lifespan by purchasing preloved, you are helping to reduce the waste associated with the over-production of new merchandise (here’s looking at you, fast fashion) and reducing the potential of products ending up in landfills.  

Luxe Top Tip

Remember, not all resellers are made equal. Do your research and choose reselling platforms that deliver on authenticity. At Luxe Collective, authenticity is paramount to what we do. Our trusted Authenticators are seasoned experts when it comes to deciphering the real from the super fake. Along with our Authenticators’ keen eyes and our third-party AI authentication system Entrupy, our Luxe customers can rest assured the preloved pieces they purchase are 100% genuine or they receive their money back.

Invest in the Best

There’s a reason they said buy cheap, buy twice and whilst we know that doesn’t necessarily ring true for all products, we can vouch that in the case of luxury bags, shoes and accessories – it is. Whilst you may be tempted to opt for those dupes of Louis Vuitton or Saint Laurent, the fakes do not deliver the quality and craftsmanship that the real deals deliver and will leave you looking for a new bag by next season. If you can, turn your shopping habits to cost per wear, rather than cost per item.

Luxury design powerhouses that have a rich heritage, have access to some of the best suppliers and manufacturers. When you buy a genuine designer bag, whether it be brand-new or preloved, you can rest assured that it has been built to last. For the likes of Chanel and Louis Vuitton, quality is of utmost importance, not only do the designs stand the test of time, but the materials do too.

Aside from the quality of materials, when you buy genuine goods, you are also choosing to fairly pay garment workers and the artisans behind the item. Fast fashion brands have a long and devastating legacy of exploiting workers to ensure they get their products to market as fast as possible, creating unsafe working practices and conditions to work. Unfortunately, we have all seen the harrowing results of these practices.

Choosing to put your money behind brands that fairly pay workers and look to improve working conditions, is one way you can create greener shopping habits. Brands such as Burberry are just one luxury designer brand that advocates for fair-pay practices for its workers throughout its supply chains. Collaborating with Oxfam and PUR Project, Burberry set out to create a 5-year long programme to establish the cashmere industry in Afghanistan. The British luxury label educated herders on sustainable practices, worked with local governments to build an efficient infrastructure and negotiated better prices. Through this programme, Burberry empowered a small network of herders into a national community of producers; creating future work for cashmere producers, allowing them to earn more for their product and creating a sustainable supply for Burberry itself.

Shop Sustainable Brands

Shopping for sustainable brands is one of the most obvious choices when adopting more environmentally conscious shopping habits. All brands and designers need to practice what they preach regarding their environmental promises, and no one in the luxury space does so quite like Stella McCartney. Advocating for animal rights and addressing environmental issues long before it became a trend, McCartney has demonstrated that sustainability and luxury fashion can coexist harmoniously.

As a Special Advisor on Sustainability to the CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, McCartney works to mobilise luxury houses within the group to embrace innovative and greener approaches to design, sourcing, and production. An interesting fact: Stella has never used animal products in any collection she has designed, whether for her eponymous label or during her tenure at Chloe. So, if you're considering a vintage or preloved Chloe bag from her time at the house, or a second-hand bag from her own brand, rest assured, you're making a greener choice without compromising on luxury.

There are various ways in which brands are embracing sustainable practices, whether through partnerships with charities or organizations, such as the collaboration between Dior and Parley for the Oceans. Dior and Parley have joined forces for the third consecutive year to produce an eco-conscious swimwear capsule collection crafted from eco-certified materials.

Similarly, our partnership with Ecologi at Luxe Collective exemplifies this commitment. For every order placed, we collaborate with Ecologi to plant two trees, contributing to the restoration and protection of the earth's vulnerable forests and woodlands. Through Ecologi, we support remarkable initiatives worldwide that promote sustainability, including renewable energy projects, reforestation efforts, and fair wages for workers across various industries.

Sell Your Preloved Items 

Whilst selling isn’t technically shopping, parting with your unloved bags, shoes, accessories, and clothes is a great step towards becoming more sustainable in fashion. Selling your preloved items helps to extend their lifespan, offering them a second chance with another fashion lover.

There are numerous resellers out there, from Vinted to eBay, for everyday pieces, to premium resellers like us at Luxe Collective, where you can sell your preloved luxury designer items. Our selling service is unique compared to other platforms, as we offer both instant buyout offers and listing offers (consignment) for your items. This provides our sellers with the flexibility to either reap the rewards instantly or maximise their earnings on their preloved luxury bags, shoes, and accessories. The process is simple when you sell to Luxe Collective

Shopping sustainably doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul your shopping habits. By making incremental changes and choosing greener options, you contribute to the conscious effort needed to tackle the climate crisis. Call us biased, after all, we are a luxury preloved reseller, but we believe reselling and promoting a circular fashion economy is an easy way to enjoy fashion responsibly.