Do you feel as conflicted about following fashion trends as I do? On the one hand, new trends mean pretty new things, and I love pretty new things. On the other hand, changing trends make perfectly functional items completely undesirable, which is bad for both the wallet and the planet.

It is possible to enjoy the latest trends, save money and look after the environment, but it takes a little effort. After years of working to find the balance, I’ve whittled it down to four rules (and some tips for sticking to them):

Rule One: Don’t follow all the trends.

Different things suit different people — and buying things that don’t work for you is destined to be a waste of money and resources.

No matter how pretty it is, if this season’s must-have looks ugly on you or doesn’t suit your lifestyle, you need to put it back on the rack and walk away. For me, that means no shiny pants because I have saddle bags and no stilettos for daytime wear because I walk everywhere.

Tip: No idea what suits you? Check out my post on Developing your personal style.

Rule Two: Don’t overspend.

Your budget should have a certain amount clearly allocated for clothing. (It is, after all, an essential expense: you can’t just go naked!) When you’re out shopping, know how much money is currently available in your clothing fund and stick to it.

Tip: It’s easier to not overspend if you only shop where you can afford to buy… which probably means you’ll have to stay out of the Manolo Blahnik store!

Rule Three: Buy responsibly

Want to have your trendy clothes, save money and feel environmentally responsible? Think second-hand. Lots of current trends are vintage-inspired, plus there are some looks that come back in every few years (e.g. military).

Look for vintage clothes in thrift stores (aka charity stores or op shops), eBay and vintage stores. Thrift shops and eBay are also great for trends that keep coming back, or try consignment stores and clearance outlets too.

Tip: Before you go, read my posts on thrift shopping: insider tips and the difference between a sale and a clearance.

Rule Four: Dispose of it responsibly

So you bought the hot trend and wore it for a while, but now it’s over. What to do with those once-trendy, now-unwanted clothes? Send them to someone else who can use them.

The best places to send your pre-loved clothes are:

1. Consignment stores
2. eBay
3. Thrift stores
4. Freecycle

Tips: If you want to sell your old clothes, here’s my favourite Sydney consignment store and some tips on setting eBay starting bids.

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