5 Benefits of Shopping Locally
The choices for clothing shoppers are now endless because of e-commerce stores like Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay. With the click of a button, you can purchase designs from anywhere around the globe, from Italy to Indonesia. However, buying clothing from local fashion designers has several benefits. Here are the top benefits of shopping locally.
1.Independent designers offer unique clothing designs
While big-box retailers like H&M and Gap, Inc. offer staple items like blue jeans or basic white tees, clothing designs from your local designer are unique. If you pick up a dress from a local boutique on Toronto’s Queen Street, you don’t have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as someone else as your item is likely one-of-a-kind.
Check out these stunning artistic designs below from local Toronto designers:
2. You can learn more about how your garments are made
Clothing items from big box stores are often made overseas. While there is nothing wrong with buying garments made in China, it’s important to have transparency about how your clothes were made and where the materials came from. Buying local allows you to speak to the people close to the clothing who can give you insights on your new dress because they made it personally!
3. Local garments are often more sustainable
If you value eco-friendly initiatives, then it’s important to buy local. Local designers often try to incorporate materials native to their local land, making buying local a sustainable choice. For example, a pair of American jeans was likely made from American cotton, making it a more sustainable choice than a pair of jeans made overseas that had to ship its cotton to manufacture the jeans. Another reason local clothing is sustainable is that Canada, the United States, and the European Union all have strict guidelines for waste disposal, so you can rest assured that any waste from manufacturing your garments was safely disposed of.
4. Local clothing supports the national economy
Buying local means your money continues to spur economic development in your community. When you support local fashion designers, you also support local fashion boutiques and their employees.
5. High-quality garments are made locally
Locally made clothing is high quality because Western countries have stringent quality control standards.
Investing your dollars in clothing created by your community has benefits both for you and your neighbours. Next time you’re on the hunt for a new pair of jeans or a new dress, check out what your local boutiques have to offer.