How Copenhagen became the coolest week on the fashion calendar
How Copenhagen became the coolest week on the fashion calendar

Oyindamola Animashaun

Page Turners: ‘The Glass House’ author Rachel Donohue
Page Turners: ‘The Glass House’ author Rachel Donohue

Sarah Gill

The best Irish films of all time, according to the IMAGE staffers
The best Irish films of all time, according to the IMAGE staffers

Sarah Gill

A stylist’s guide to mixing vintage and modern fashion finds
A stylist’s guide to mixing vintage and modern fashion finds

Sarah Finnan

WIN a 9ct gold T-Bar pendant necklace from Gear Jewellers worth €250
WIN a 9ct gold T-Bar pendant necklace from Gear Jewellers worth €250

Edaein OConnell

Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway
Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway

IMAGE

Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway
Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway

IMAGE

Meet Emily Jean O’Byrne, the Irish designer dressing Ballerina Farm
Meet Emily Jean O’Byrne, the Irish designer dressing Ballerina Farm

Ruth O'Connor

Caolum McCabe: ‘It’s incredibly challenging to resist the pull of relocating to cities such as London’
Caolum McCabe: ‘It’s incredibly challenging to resist the pull of relocating to cities such as...

Sarah Finnan

The best events happening around Ireland this Valentine’s weekend
The best events happening around Ireland this Valentine’s weekend

Sarah Gill

Image / Fashion

Brands to help you save pennies and the planet, at the same time


By Ellen Bird
24th Jan 2019
Brands to help you save pennies and the planet, at the same time

The college I attended was in the heart of New York City, and based on both fashion business and fashion design. Most students paraded around in Prada brogues and Balenciaga sweaters decorated with monogram logos. I was not one of those people. From day one, I couldn’t keep up. I always felt less fashion than most. Nobody wants to be the girl staying in on a Saturday night stuffing herself with one dollar pizza while admiring her brand new pair of Gucci loafers; worn inside only, of course. An $18 New York margarita was more on my radar. Spending money on fast fashion was too fast for my sad, overused debit card, and I didn’t have enough money to throw at designer clothing. Simply being in New York City brought a financial sacrifice.

I’m no longer a student, but not much has changed. Hello, my name is Ellen and I’m a twenty-three-year-old millennial – and very broke. Fendi, Dior, apologies; you’ll just have to wait. Even if I could afford small amounts of money to throw at my wardrobe, fast fashion isn’t speaking to me as it once did back in my teenage days. Now, as I scroll through websites I see the cheap fabric and loosely-stitched hemlines. I see clothes I know I’ll be throwing away after one wash.

But despite my lack of funds the shopping itch hasn’t gone away completely. We still need clothes, right? What has changed is my mindset. The millennial ‘treat yourself’ mentality is dwindling. People are becoming more and more conscious about sustainability; both in dressing and in life. I would be lying if I said I don’t drool over heart-stirring outfits from Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. But in the meantime, I’m finding solace in re-wearing, for now.

The way millennials spend money is truly changing. But sustainable fashion does not have to cost an arm and a leg. These labels that make shopping as a broke millennial so much easier. You’ll be saving both your pennies and the planet all at the same time.

Zara – Join Life

Shirt dress with stripe, €29.95 at Zara

H&M – Conscious – Sustainable Style

 Lycocell paper bag trousers, €27.99

Mango – Take Action

Ribbed strap top, €17.99 at Mango