Writer, 26, saves $7,000 by not buying ANY new clothes for 24 months - and explains how you can save thousands too
- Lottie Dalziel, 26, made the bold decision to stop buying new clothes in 2018
- The Sydneysider wanted to save money and save the planet with her decision
- She borrowed clothes from others and chose some of website like GlamCorner
- Lottie saved $7,000 purely by cancelling the amount of online shopping she did
A freelance writer has saved $7,000 after deciding not to buy any new clothes for two years, and says it's as easy as hiring outfits for special occasions, borrowing from your friends and rifling through the very back of your closet.
Lottie Dalziel, who runs a waste-free company called Banish, made the bold decision as part of her 2018 New Year's resolutions, in a bid to save some money and the planet in the process.
'I targeted many areas of my life, one of which was clothing,' the 26-year-old from Sydney said.
Lottie Dalziel, who runs a waste-free company called Banish , made the bold decision as part of her 2018 New Year's resolutions
'I did my research and couldn't believe how many clothes the average Australia buys when we only wear around one-third of our wardrobe,' she said
'I did my research and couldn't believe how many clothes the average Australian buys when we only wear around one-third of our wardrobe.'
While she didn't set out to continue the ban on dresses, shoes and handbags for 24 months she found the project so 'easy' she was happy to continue.
Australians are the second largest consumers of textiles just behind North America, buying 27 kilos worth of new clothes each year and throwing out 23 kilos worth of items without a second thought.
Lottie started by unsubscribing from her favourite brands on social media and on email to remove any risk of temptation.
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Lottie started by unsubscribing from her favourite brands on social media and on email to remove any risk of temptation
That way she didn't know when new styles dropped into the stores and couldn't find out when the latest sales were on offer. Her interest in picking up anything 'new' dwindled quickly
That way she didn't know when new styles dropped into stores and couldn't find out when the latest sales were on offer. Her interest in picking up anything 'new' dwindled quickly.
'I also went back to borrowing clothes from friends when I had a big occasion like a wedding or friends birthday and in the future, I think I'll look at rental websites like GlamCorner,' she said.
'My friends and I also got together and hosted a clothes swap with our unwanted clothes. My mum got involved and has started making me clothes too.'
While her impressive ban earned her a cool sum of cash Lottie never planned on ridding herself of the pleasure of new designs forever.
While her impressive ban earned her a cool sum of cash Lottie never planned of ridding herself of the pleasure of new designs forever
'From now on my plan is to buy only what I need and when I do to shop consciously,' she said.
'I do my research and ask brands where the clothing is made, what it is made of, who made it and ask myself where it will end up.'
Some of her favourite environmentally friendly brands include Patagonia, Allbirds, Ice Breaker and First Base, all of which have a clear conscious when it comes to selling garments ethically.
