University Students Guide To Sustainability

Sustainability is a topic that is becoming popular. And rightly so. Caring about our home has never been more important. I think that the word ‘sustainable’ seems to have many attachments to it and instantly appears to have a price tag. Yes, it is true that many sustainable brands can be expensive but spending hundreds of pounds for an ethically sourced item isn’t the only way you can look after the planet. The truth is that being sustainable doesn’t have to be costly, the key is to be resourceful. Being a university student and using ethical products are not mutually exclusive. Here are a few of my tips on how to do so based on my current favourite methods.

Shop Preloved

Purchasing second-hand items is such an easy and affordable way to care for our planet. By prolonging the life of these items, you're saving them from the tip. I've been searching the preloved markets since before I even started blogging, I don't know whether it's the natural curiosity in this business student about what's available or the part of me that loves a good deal. One of the positives that came out of this year is that many people my age have finally started appreciating charity and vintage shops. Around 350,000 tones of clothing ends in landfill every year in the UK alone. The Big Ben weighs 13.7 tonnes. With so much technology around us, we are surrounded with reselling platforms. Depop, eBay, Gumtree, Vestiaire Collective, you name it. It’s also a good idea to search the second-hand market for the fast fashion piece you have your eye on. I understand that the thought of completely cutting ties with the current popular retailers is daring, so why not purchase a piece from them that someone else no longer wants? You will extend the life of the item of clothing, still pay a very low price and not contribute to the retailer directly. Depop alone has tens of thousands of pieces from Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing and Misguided to name a few.  Even if you only manage to order a third of your order second hand, you have still minimised the amount you ordered directly from the sweatshops.

Reuse Packaging

This is by far the easiest alteration you can make in your day-to-day life. I remember learning about reusing, reducing and recycling in primary school but for some reason that quote only associated with plastic bottles in my mind. The truth is that this applies to so many objects around us.  I’m sure that during this year you have ordered plenty of parcels. What did you do with the packaging they came in? Instead of binning it straight away, give it another purpose. Cut out your address, grab some tape and pop the top you just sold on Depop inside. I also recommend doing this with any plastic bags you have from any shopping trips. Not sending out any post? No worries, hide your address and use the wrapping as a general bin bag.

Minimise Your Need for Plastic Bags

Just buy yourself one of those totes at the checkout for a couple of pounds. Not only are they reusable and will last you a very long time, they also fit more and won’t split in half mid walk home. For those interested in a more fashionable alternative, the internet is filled with cotton tote bags. From independent businesses that opened during lockdown personalising totes to worldwide companies such as Lush selling them, you will find one you like. Carrying a reusable bag really is a simple step to introduce into your routine. A one-off, small purchase that ensures you do not need to rely on plastic alternatives. 

Naked Products

Next time you need to buy soap, go for a bar instead of a bottle. Simple. There is a vast number of naked products available- shampoo bars, facial cleansers, makeup brush cleaners. My personal favourite are hair conditioner bars, they last so long. I let the temperature of the steam soften it slightly before applying directly to my hair. However, you can also create a lather in your hands like with soap and then coat your hair in it. Personal preference.  The packaging free product market is growing every day, you can even buy reusable makeup pads that you wash in-between uses rather than throw away. It’s worth your time to see what’s available and decide what suits you best. Very often the solid alternatives last longer than the liquid version too.

Of course, this is just the beginning of a very long list. We all still have a long way to go and as time goes on, new possibilities will become available to us. As long as we are reasonable and resourceful, making slight alternations in our lifestyle shouldn’t be too bumpy.

K x

House of Cb Must Haves

Oh, House of CB, where do I even begin? I have been a regular customer for over a year now therefore I know I can offer an unbiased, unsponsored, real review. This is my favourite brand, if you were to ask me where I think you should buy a true treat for yourself, it would undoubtably be House Of CB. The brand’s online presence is very heavy, and you often hear Youtubers claiming so much about this label, and I’m here to confirm it all. The quality is unreal, the fits are breathtaking and the designs are the hottest on the market. I am very lucky to own and have worn many pieces from the fun numbers such as Katrin, Gia and Ella to the elegant timeless ones such as Carlotta and Loretta. Using my love and long relationship with the brand, I present to you the top must have pieces that are currently available online. 

Gloriana

 

I have had my heart set on this dress ever since it was released. A 2020 version of Mariah Carey's dress from the 1991 Grammy Awards. The energy it radiates is something that I needed. Take your classic little black dress but increase the levels of extra and class. This dress makes me think of one of my favourite films – Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Despite Holly’s dress being longer, having a different neckline and no rhinestone detailing, Gloriana also emits a rich feeling. This is a piece that will never go out of style, will not look dated and can literally be passed down. This dress will receive the same reaction tomorrow as it would in twenty years time. This is yet another reason why Gloriana is worth her £139 price tag. My relationship with mini lengths is love or hate, but not with this brand since the material is thick and sturdy. This means that the dress doesn’t rise up when walking or dancing but stays the same length. The same principle applies to the black velvet and gold sequin mini dress Silvaja from a few seasons ago.

 

Silva Corset Top

 

This is piece probably takes the title of the most beautiful item in my wardrobe. When I look at this, I see Hailey Bieber's wedding rehearsal dress designed by Vivienne Westwood. The shape also reminds me of the upper half of my Loretta dress, so I knew I was going to love it. This statement top retails for £69 and currently is only available in this pearl ivory. First of all, the colour is wealthy. The chic ivory colour palette is often connotated with class. Likewise, the material choice of satin is unforgettable. Wearing this corset makes me feel like I’m at my wedding reception or having dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower. House of CB is rightly known for their structure and boning and this lives up to the reputation, the clothes cinch you in and flatter every aspect of your figure. The sleeves and neckline are what completely sold me on this piece, the heavy straps carefully laying on your shoulders whilst displaying your décolletage effortlessly. I have seen many looks created with this corset and a pair of jeans but for my non jean wearers, black cigarette trousers or a black satin bias cut midi skirt will look just as good.

 

ChouChou

 

Here we have another little black dress; this one makes me feel like a modern day 1950s movie star. I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is that gives me this feeling, but I can easily picture this piece with a chunky jewel or pearl necklace, red lip, Hollywood curls and a white fur shawl. But for a lighter alternative, a Lily Rose Depp makeup look with any accent colour of your choice and it is just as much of a showstopper. The asymmetric shape is eye catching, yet it is cut in a soft way especially when compared to Oh Polly’s ‘One Night Only’ which is a lot more dramatic. House of CB dresses are so commonly loved because they really do fit your body like a glove through the way they are made. For instance, ChouChou features a bra like back closure under the dress zip itself, this ensures your bust is well fitted and secure. The simplicity of this dress is what makes it timeless, it is plain and subtle yet will be noticed by everyone – a real example of less is more. If you are after the rhinestone energy that Gloriana radiates, I recommend pairing ChouChou with the black Charme belt. This number can still be bought online for £129.

I do not doubt that this list will grow with further collections since Conna Walker never fails to amaze me.

K x

Your Depop Guide

An advantage of everyone being forced to stay at home this year is the increase of people using second-hand platforms such as Depop. The list of little improvements to increase your chances of sales is fairly long so I decided to focus on the most important points first. Enjoy your Depop Guide Volume One. 

 Communication 

This is arguably the most important tip. You have to respond to messages as quick as you can. If you ignore the message and take a while to reach back, the person may have already ordered the same top you’re selling from someone else. Likewise, make sure you clear and polite. People won’t want to give their money to someone who was rude to them. A little really does go a long way. Wishing someone a lovely week at the end of the conversation will spread the good energy and put you in a good light. Regarding the clearness, this just makes the conversation smoother. If you’re asked a question and don’t answer it directly, someone will either go elsewhere or you’re just prolonging the conversation as they will have to repeat themselves. 

Photos

You need to take good quality photos of the items you’re selling. Don’t worry, you’re not expected to use a Canon, just make sure that your item is clean and that if it is a pair of clothing, that it is not creased. Make sure that the lighting is alright, ideally shoot the pictures in natural daylight. You want the entire frame to be clean and focus on the product you’re selling. 

Packaging

There are two ways to handle this. If you’re a small business or sending a gift, it will be worth your while to put in effort when packing your orders. Receiving a parcel with hearts or flowers drawn on it will get you a smile on the other side of the country. When selling jewellery, I will make sure the package looks as presentable as possible but most of the time I am just rehoming clothes in which case I reuse whatever I can find. This means that if I have any packaging from parcels that I have received, I will cut out my address and use. This gives that piece of plastic which would have ended up in the bin one more purpose. Honestly, as long as you have tape, you’re good to go.

Thank You Notes

Referring back to spreading good energy, this is so important. Whether you are a small business selling resin or just selling the one-off pair of shoes, it is a very sweet gesture. These do not have to be super fancy and printed out, it can just be a handwritten note. It costs nothing but thirty seconds to make someone’s day in this case. Over summer I bought a vintage Monsoon sweater and received a packet of chocolates with it – brilliant. 

Ask for A Review

This may seem quite daunting, but many people do this. Reviews are crucial no matter what you’re using your Depop for. If someone views your profile and can see you have sold five items but still have no reviews, they may feel the need to shop elsewhere. We are all like that. If two profiles were to sell the exact same product for the exact same price but one seller had one review that was two stars and the other had only five-star reviews, it’s almost natural that we would choose the latter option. There are a few ways to ask for a review delicately. You can do so in your thank you note, you can request one when showing someone their proof of postage or by asking them to message you when the order arrives and when they do, casually mention it. 

With these little adjustments, your shop should start taking off.

K x