mini note: back to school already? 🤪
sustainable alternatives to the consumer-driven traditions
Growing up, I remember gearing up for the excitement of back-to-school shopping. I loved picking out new school supplies. Do you remember the coveted Lisa Frank folders and notebooks with all the crazy, bright-colored designs?! Those are vintage collectibles now (at least according to Etsy).
Today, kids are assigned solid folder colors to match all their subjects—boring but functional. 🫤
I vividly recall shopping for one or two new outfits a few weeks before school started. We didn't have money for full wardrobe replacements or expensive brand names. Fast fashion didn't exist then the way it does now (the good ol’ days), so shopping mostly followed the seasons.
Does back-to-school shopping exist as it used to, or is it just another week’s iteration of a 52-week fashion cycle from brands designed to be disposable?
I also remember the oddity of buying cozy sweaters and jeans that I couldn't wait to wear to school even though the weather for the first few weeks was full-on summer (and I lived in Minnesota, where most of the school year was cold). As climate change sets record-high temperatures month after month, those weeks before fall fashion becomes feasible are a month or more.
I probably didn't need any new clothes in those weeks leading up to the first day of school, and I certainly didn't need new winter clothes in August. However, the shopping excursion was a ritual, a consequence of consumer-driven capitalism that created more reasons to spend.
I have two boys who aren't yet consumed by appearances. I suspect the combination of their gender, demeanor toward clothes, and our family lifestyle won't create many back-to-school shopping expectations, even as they enter high school or college. We tend to buy them what they need when they need it and rely heavily on hand-me-downs and secondhand purchases.
Even if kids love fashion or look forward to an annual back-to-school closet refresh, many sustainable ways exist to celebrate and acknowledge the transition from the summer to school without getting caught up in excessive consumption.
Here are some of my favorite ideas. I hope you share your ideas in the comments!
How about back-to-school traditions that don’t revolve around consumption? Here are a few ideas, including the one we started last year, which was a big hit!
A few ways to reduce waste when you’re getting supplies ready for the new school year.
I love this idea for a teacher garage sale. Even if you don’t have one, you could coordinate gifting threads in Buy Nothing or community groups to help teachers stock up on supplies before they spend their money.
Some tips for choosing secondhand clothes for BTS and some ideas about how to get your kids excited about secondhand BTS shopping.
Reasons to try online resale for kids’ clothes (I’m a big fan).
And a few ways to save money on BTS supplies while also saving money (win-win!).