Last holiday season, Patagonia continued making waves with their “Buy Less, Demand More.” holiday campaign. Patagonia Burlington's Indiana Peters explains: "Buy Less, Demand More." calls for consumers to purchase sustainable, multi-functional, and enduring products with the broad goal of achieving corporate accountability in the industry and of doing work to manage environmental impact.
This forward thinking holiday campaign created a spark for me. I began a deep dive into past purchases I’ve made and concluded that my shopping habits could be revamped. I thought about many impulse purchases I’ve made for something I really didn’t need, the mistakes I’ve made in the past with gift giving (“it’s the thought that counts!”), how I cared for current items I owned, and then what happens when they are no longer usable.
I am not fully there yet, but happy to say that I’m making some progress. Here are some tips that I've learned.
1. Shop Locally
Shopping locally puts your dollars back into the community, supporting the economy in the town, city, or state that you live in (or are visiting). Your purchase helps that business stay in business, keeping employment for your friends, neighbors or yourself. And remember that shopping locally does not always mean more expensive. Local stores often have deals as well!
Holiday Shopping Tip: Let people know that you'd prefer gifts purchased from local businesses. Provide them with ideas of where to go and communicate to them where their gifts came from. Gift cards are always a great idea too.
2. Shop Sustainably
Sustainability" is a word that gets thrown around a lot. But how do you know what to look for? A good start is to research the brand you are buying from to learn about who you are supporting with your money. Look into what they stand for as a business, the materials they use, the people making the products, how the products are made and where. If there is no information listed on the brand's website, dig deeper, ask others, and maybe reconsider your purchase.
Holiday Shopping Tip: Look for responsibly sourced and/or virgin materials such as organic or recycled. Avoid plastics which take the longest to degrade and are not always recycled. Also, look for telling certifications like Fair Trade, USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and B Corp.
3. Shop Versatile and Timeless Clothing Styles
Before you purchase clothing for yourself or others, consider how versatile and timeless the item is. Would you or they wear it for more than one season or year, and can it be used for multiple activities? Can you wear it for work, on a hike and out to eat afterward? This may seem like a stretch, but for someone who bikes to work everyday, this is something I consider before purchasing clothing.
Holiday Shopping Tip: Layering is key. A high quality rain jacket and warm midlayer or down jacket could be used together in the winter or separately in the spring, summer and fall.
4. Is the Item Repairable?
Does the item feel high-quality when you pick it up or when examined closely? A poorly made product is less likely to be repaired and more likely to end up in a landfill, than something that was made with quality and is repairable. Unfortunately, it is sometimes less expensive to buy new than to repair an item. So how about spending a little more for something that lasts and is guaranteed by that company? And better yet, guaranteed for life!
Holiday Shopping Tip: Before you purchase something, find out how it could be repaired. Did you know that many outdoor brands allow you to ship an item back to them for repair? BONUS: At our Patagonia Burlington store, we fix zippers, snaps and minor tears on Patagonia items in house. If we can't, we'll send that item to the Patagonia repair facility for you (for Patagonia items only). Just remember to allow ample time for this process; end of the season is a good time to send an item out for repair if you can wait.
5. Ensure the Proper Fit
Here is another plug for shopping locally. When you are able to try on an item first or work with an expert fitter for gear - you’re more likely to get the right fit the first time. This eliminates the need to return a product and wasting resources in the process.
Holiday Shopping Tip: If you are unsure about your recipient's size, just ask, or perhaps a gift card is a better idea.
6. Take Care of Your Clothing and Gear
Shopping more responsibly is great, but if you are not properly taking care of an item once you have it, it won’t last as long. Look into how to care for each piece before you buy it. Can it be easily washed or cleaned at home? How and where should it be stored when not in use or at the end of the season to prolong its life?
Holiday Shopping Tip: Education can go a long way with gift giving on how to care for your gift. For example, when giving a waterproof jacket to someone, include a bottle of tech wash and wash-in waterproofing. Most manufacturers provide instructions for use on the back.
This is not a complete list for shopping more responsibly, but is a great start and something to strive for when you are gearing up for the season and/or shopping for others. If you are stumped, come on by; we have lots of ideas!
- Michelle Peters,
Skirack Marketing