What Sustainable Shopping Has Taught Me

I'll be honest — I wasn't always a "sustainable shopper." There was a time when I'd happily fill my Primark basket without a second thought. But becoming a mum, starting Everleigh & Co, and really seeing the impact of fast fashion up close… it changed everything.

Here's what switching to a more sustainable way of shopping has taught me over the past couple of years.

1. You Don't Need As Much As You Think

This was the big one. When you stop impulse buying and start being more intentional about what you bring into your home, you realise just how little you actually need. Kids especially — they don't need 15 outfits. They need a few good ones that they feel great in.

Since we started upcycling, I've become so much more thoughtful about every purchase. I ask myself: Do we really need this? Will it last? Can I find it second-hand?

2. Second-Hand Doesn't Mean Second Best

I used to have this weird snobbishness about charity shops. I know, I know — how times have changed! Now they're my happy place. The quality of stuff you can find in charity shops is genuinely amazing. Designer labels, barely-worn items, vintage pieces with so much character.

And when you upcycle something from a charity shop? It becomes better than new. It has history AND a future.

3. Slow Fashion Feels Better

There's something deeply satisfying about owning less but owning better. When Everleigh wears one of our custom jackets, I know it was made with love, thought, and care. It wasn't churned out in a factory. It wasn't shipped halfway around the world. It was created with her in mind.

Slow fashion asks us to slow down, and honestly? The slowing down is the best part.

4. Small Choices Add Up

I used to think, "What difference can one person make?" But running a small sustainable business has shown me that lots of small choices genuinely add up. Every jacket we save from landfill matters. Every customer who chooses upcycled over new makes a difference.

We can't all be perfect, and I'm definitely not. But we can all be a little bit more thoughtful.

5. Community Matters

One of the most unexpected and beautiful things about this journey has been the community. Other small business owners, fellow mumpreneurs, sustainability advocates, and our wonderful customers — we've met the loveliest people through this journey.

Shopping small isn't just about the product. It's about the connection. When you buy from a small business, you're supporting a real family, and that relationship goes both ways.

My Challenge to You

Next time you need an outfit for your little one, pause before heading to the high street. Could you find it second-hand? Could you upcycle something you already have? Could you support a small business instead?

You might just surprise yourself.