Embarking on a journey of conscious buying, I decided a few years
ago to forego buying clothes and embrace hand-me-downs from friends and family
instead. Many of you have asked me how I manage to resist temptations and why I
choose this path. Let me share the reasons behind my choice and the empowerment
I find in having made it.
A decade ago, my journey towards embracing handlooms and
sustainable living began, starting with my wardrobe. I made a conscious
decision to limit my collection to only ten dresses at a time, reserving them
for work or special occasions. New clothes were purchased annually to replace
worn-out or ill-fitting ones, while the rest were either donated or disposed
of. And that’s when I met Eve Ceccarily, a young French animation director with
a unique approach to fashion. She would wear discarded clothes from friends who
were moving, avoiding brands associated with sweatshops in developing
countries. She chose to wear those as the cost of ethically-made brands was
beyond her means then. Our encounters sparked a realization of the importance
of conscious fashion choices and the impact they have on our lives and the
world around us. And it dawned on me that if I were to talk about building sustainable
ecosystems and making conscious buying choices, I had to walk the talk.
In 2017, I made a conscious decision to stop purchasing
dresses and instead turned to my sister-in-law for her unused kurtas and tops.
Fortunately, she comes from a family where sharing clothes and wearing
hand-me-downs from older siblings was a common practice, reminiscent of the 80s
and 90s. This cultural background made it easier for her to pass on her clothes
to me. However, I've observed that many of my friends and relatives feel
hesitant or embarrassed to give away their clothes, fearing it might offend the
recipients. It's a mindset that can be challenging to overcome. Although now I
have a few friends too who have generously shared whenever they upgrade their
wardrobes.
During this period, I underwent a significant shift in my
wardrobe choices, particularly towards wearing handloom sarees as my work
attire. This change coincided with my venture into the handloom saree business,
prompting me to invest in these exquisite pieces despite their higher cost
compared to machine-made alternatives. I became increasingly mindful of the
sourcing and sellers of these sarees, seeking out sustainable and ethical
options. This transition also led me to embrace the beauty of cottons and
khadi, gradually moving away from shiny silks with zari. Even my occasion wear
sarees transformed into elegant cottons and tussar silks. This evolution
necessitated a newfound prudence in my shopping habits. It also helped that I became
part of saree groups where women generously shared their sarees with one
another, which meant access to many more sarees.
With my commitment to sustainable choices extending beyond
clothing, it became effortless to adopt a similar mindset for bags, shoes, and
accessories. I prioritize investing in ethical brands, using their products for
years without the urge to constantly switch or impress others.