One of THE MOST common questions I get from readers is, “HOW do you shop ethically on a budget? Ethical and fair trade fashion is so expensive!! Do you have any tips for ethical shopping on a budget?”

The answer is, of course, YES! This is one of the myths about ethical shopping and fair trade fashion… people think it’s so expensive. But it doesn’t HAVE to be! So, I have 5 tips for you today on how you can shop ethical and fair trade fashion while not breaking the bank!

Ethical Shopping on a Budget: 5 Tips

1. Thrifting / Consignment / Buy-Sell Pages!

This is, by far, the most affordable way to shop ethically… and honestly, it’s one of the most ethical shopping… PERIOD. Why? Because you’re buying things that are already in the “ecosystem” – if you will. These are pieces that are already out there, so if YOU buy them secondhand and wear and love them, that prevents the item from ending up in a landfill or somewhere else.

Yes, thrifting and consignment shopping can be a lot of work… so try shopping consignment ONLINE. Sites like ThredUp, Schoola, Poshmark, or even your local Buy/Sell pages on Facebook can be a much easier way to shop / thrift. They can also save you a LOT of money!

2. Buy less, but buy BETTER 

Here’s the thing about ethical shopping… when you stop to think about your purchases and the companies you are buying from, you will buy less. Trust me. I no longer just roam the mall or roam the aisles of Target and buy things I don’t need. I used to go to Old Navy because there “was a sale” and I’d buy a $4 shirt I didn’t actually need, but I’d buy it because it was $4. Well, the thing is, those little purchases add up… quickly. I spent WAY more money on clothes / shoes / random items when I wasn’t conscious about my spending and shopping than I do now. But thanks to the propagation of online shopping, we now get much more at low prices and at our convenience.  What more could one ask for?

Yes, most ethical brands are more expensive than your run-of-the-mill fast fashion clothing store… that’s because they’re made with care and the people who make and produce the items are paid fairly. This also means that items are so well made that they are made to LAST. Which means you won’t need to just buy something new next year… because what you are buying THIS year is made to last. Buying better quality will always save you money in the long run.

BONUS? This also helps to prevent buyers remorse… because you won’t be buying anything you don’t need or haven’t consciously thought about buying!

3. Save!

Sure, this might seem simple, but it’s true. Okay, so you love a particular pair of fair trade shoes or a really nice hand-embroidered top from an ethical fashion brand… but it’s a little out of your price range. Save for it! Take the money you would have spent buying something poor quality and cheap and save. I’ve been known to save for months to buy a pair of shoes or a bag that I really want. And, saving for it and buying it when the time comes makes me appreciate that item all the more and I’m less likely to dispose of it or get rid of it later.

4. Get to know your more “affordable” ethical brands 

Despite what a lot of people think, there are still some ethical fashion brands that have GREAT and totally affordable prices! The more you get to know the ethical and fair trade fashion world, you will learn which brands have what price ranges.

Here are just a couple of my favorite affordable (but still AMAZING quality) brands (and I have coupon codes for many of them which save you EXTRA money!):

• Elegantees – Use coupon code “stillbeingmolly” for 15% off – Elegantees is one of my FAVORITE women’s ethical fashion brands. This is no secret. They make gorgeous clothing that is trendy, comfortable, and affordable.
• Grace & Lace – Use coupon code “stillbeingmolly” for 10% off – I love Grace & Lace for their unique pieces, lace extenders (hello versatile wardrobe!), and affordable trendy pieces. A lot of their pieces also can be worn a bunch of different ways!
• The Flourish Market – Use coupon code “stillbeingmolly” for FREE shipping – My girl Emily runs this amazing boutique and they carry the CUTEST women’s ethical fashion clothing and the prices are amazing. Every piece she carries is on my wish list! Hahaha!! No joke!!
• Everlane – Everlane is extremely transparent about how they price their items. I love this about them!
• PACT – PACT has amazing basics!

5. If all else fails, apply the “30 Wears” rule before you buy

So, if you’re on the hunt for something specific and you can’t find it thrifting, you can’t find it on consignment, and you can’t buy it ethically – apply the “30 Wears” rule. Ask yourself, “Can I get at least 30 wears out of this item?” If the answer is no, then don’t buy it. Really being intentional about our purchases can be a HUGE money saver! This is what I do with everything I buy and it has made a huge difference. (I also apply these tips when it comes to shopping for my kids!)

I hope these ethical shopping tips were helpful! What other questions do you have? How can I help? I would be happy to answer your questions in an upcoming blog post!