Waste Not, Want Not

We’ve all been there—getting ready for class, a night out, or any event where sweats just won’t cut it—tearing apart our closets and dramatically declaring, I have nothing to wear.

But maybe the real issue isn’t that our wardrobes are uninspiring or outdated. Maybe it’s that we’ve become so used to having a constant rotation of new clothes that styling the same pieces in fresh ways feels impossible.

Over the past few years, fashion has cycled through countless microtrends, many of which we’ve eagerly jumped on—only to wear them a handful of times before moving on to the next. But in a refreshing shift, the latest trend is actually the opposite of everything that came before it. Enter: underconsumption core. Instead of chasing fleeting fads, the fashion community is embracing a more sustainable, minimalist approach—maximizing what we already own instead of constantly buying into the next trend.

So how do you embrace underconsumption core?

First, drop the mindset that you can’t be seen wearing the same outfit twice. This outdated idea fuels the endless cycle of consumption, convincing us we need more when we really just need to get creative. Rewearing and repurposing your wardrobe across different seasons isn’t just practical—it’s an opportunity to refine your personal style.

Next, let your clothes live out their full lifecycle. Well-made pieces are meant to be worn, loved, and reimagined over time. Buying into microtrends, on the other hand, is often a fast track to waste. These pieces go out of style as quickly as they arrive, and fast fashion brands cater to that cycle by producing cheaply made items that fall apart just in time for the trend to die out. Instead of buying into the hype, invest in quality clothing that you’ll actually want to wear long-term.

And if you really want to challenge the idea that you constantly need more, start wearing your clothes in unconventional ways. A skirt as a dress, a blouse styled backward with statement pins, a long-sleeve top tied into a halter—there are no rules when it comes to fashion. It’s all about how you make it your own.

So consider this your sign to embrace underconsumption core, not just to be a more conscious consumer, but to completely transform the way you see your closet, your style, and your creativity.