Are you looking to shop more sustainably? Here, Jack Jahan from Ramsdens Jewellery explains how you can create a capsule jewellery collection that won’t take its toll on the environment.
With us all becoming increasingly aware of the impact our lifestyles and purchases are having on the environment, you might be looking to make your wardrobe more sustainable. You might have already started shopping for clothing in more eco-friendly fabrics and searching for fashion brands that have sustainability at their hearts, but have you thought about taking similar steps with your jewellery collection? Just like you would with your clothes, you could consider building a capsule collection of accessories that you’ve sourced in an eco-friendly and ethical way. Having a range of high-quality pieces you love and can rely on will make you less likely to buy more pieces from fast fashion brands, and help to reduce the environmental impact of your outfits. Here, I’m going to offer you my top tips for fighting the fast fashion industry with a capsule collection of sustainable jewellery.
Focus on finding the perfect staple pieces
Building a capsule collection of clothing or accessories is all about buying simple pieces that are interchangeable, and that you’ll be happy to wear time and time again. So, while it might be tempting to buy statement pieces that people will remember, when you’re trying to be more mindful of what you buy, it makes far more sense to opt for simple and versatile pieces that will complement a whole host of different looks.
Simple chain necklaces, rings, and bracelets will add an extra dash of interest to your outfits without looking too overboard. And, because of their simplicity, nobody will notice if you wear them every day. They’ll simply become a part of your chic daily uniform. If you would like to be able to change things up a little bit, pendants and charms are perfect for this. They allow you to achieve different looks with one piece of jewellery, which is exactly what you need from a capsule collection.
Go for timeless designs you’ll always love
To make sure you don’t get bored of your jewellery collection and turn to fast fashion retailers for some excitement, you need to ensure that you’re choosing jewellery styles that are going to be timeless. Trends come and go, but the idea of a capsule collection is that it will stand the test of time. Again, opting for simpler pieces will definitely help with this. But you can also pick out some more statement designs, as long as you’re confident you’ll get plenty of wear out of them. Chunky but simple chain necklaces and chandelier earrings could make a great addition to your capsule jewellery collection if you believe they’ll work well with a lot of your outfits.
Consider buying your jewellery second hand
If you’ve been trying to reduce how much you rely on the fast fashion industry, you might have started buying some of your clothes second hand. This has the benefit of allowing you to update your wardrobe without funding businesses who might not have the best practices, and it also prevents perfectly good clothing from being sent to landfill. The same could be said for buying second-hand jewellery. If you do decide to go down the pre-owned route, just make sure you always buy from a reputable jeweller, so you know you’ll always get high-quality accessories that have been made to last. Your jeweller should be able to tell you what kind of metal a piece is made from, and inform you about the quality of any gemstones a piece is adorned with. If you’re buying a collector’s piece — for example, a luxury watch — they should also have all of the relevant papers to go with it, so you know you’re buying a genuine item.
