Tricks To Afford Organic Clothing

Clothing and other everyday textile products made from organic fabric are appealing to many consumers as they are a more natural, toxin- and chemical-free alternative to items made from traditional fabrics. Many also appreciate the positive impacts that the eco-friendly production of organic fabrics has on the environment.

However, organic clothing comes at a sometimes steep premium compared to traditional apparel and as a result many of us can find it difficult to justify or simply afford the purchase of these better, but much pricier products. However, with a little extra effort and smart trade-offs, organic options could be made more affordable.

Comparison shop and research

Prices of both vary, of course, depending on quality, size, style and manufacturer. As the market for organic apparels is still young and is composed of many small, niche players, there can be a significant variation in prices. Purchasing affordable organic apparel will take additional time and research for those just experimenting with these products. Many vendors sell their products primarily online which allows consumers to more efficiently compare and evaluate options.

Unexpected sources and trade-offs

Big and established manufacturers of traditional clothes are also starting to introduce organic items and lines, some are very reasonably priced. In addition, to ‘organic, only’ products, large companies such as Nike, Timberlake or Levi’s experiemtn with using blended organic and conventional fabrics in many, if not most, of their products. These products may not offer all the benefits of purely organic clothes, but are sold at more reasonable prices.

Apart from spending the necessary time to do the research to find the best organic deals, consumers can squeeze out the necessary extra dollars from their clothing budgets by consciously cutting down on the quantity of clothes purchased. It is a sacrifice, indeed, or rather a potentially smart trade-off between more conventional, chemically treated clothing items and less, but organic and entirely natural pieces. For those really committed to conservation and the protection of the environment, the reduction in expected waste – the excess quantity of clothes people tend to acquire – is an added benefit.

Focus on a few select items

Another option is to focus on a few, frequently used items for maximum benefit. When deciding on what these items should be, bedding and other home décor items could also be considered. Sheets and blankets are especially good candidates for organic purchases as they are used for a long time and we are exposed to them for long periods of the day. From clothing items, everyday favorites such as jeans or clothing worn for exercise and sports are readily available from pure or blended organic cotton fabrics. These items are worn frequently and tend to stay with us for longer times, so if you are willing to consider organic clothing at all, start with these.

Sales, second-hand and swap

Those for whom fully-priced organic products are simply beyond reach can focus exclusively on finding sales events. It certainly takes extra effort. With the market still being small, vendors tend to have smaller inventories, so consumer should expect fewer items on sale. Items offered at discounts may also be somewhat less trendier and up-to-date than discounted conventional products with more aggressive inventory turnarounds..

Finally, there is the option to purchase used or second-hand organic apparel. Some online organic retailers offer both new and gently used second-hand organic clothes on the same website. Vendors on eBay also offer good quality, second-hand organic products. Some truly committed organic consumers set up ‘swap’ sites where they freely exchange and temporarily share their favorite organic clothes and home linens.

Tricks To Afford Organic Clothing

Leave a Reply