Rule of Five: A Conscious Consumers’ Mantra

If you are craving a challenge to get behind in 2024 and want to do your bit to fight climate change, may we present to you ‘The Rule of Five’.

‘The Rule of Five’ was a concept created to act as a guidance tool for sustainable fashion consumption. The phrase was coined in a Hot or Cold Institute Report published in 2022 and remains relevant as a conscious consumers’ annual mantra. So, what does the ‘Rule of Five’ mean and how can we do our best to follow suit.

The rule is super simple to grasp and can be taken very literally. ‘The Rule of Five’ states that per annum, to be a conscious consumer, we should be adding five (or less) fashion items to our wardrobe. Why is this number so important? In order to meet the industry’s carbon emissions target and the global warming 1.5 degrees Celsius cap by 2030, everyone on the planet would need to buy five fashion items -or less- per year. Luckily for us, the Hot or Cold Institute has outlined what makes or breaks the rule, just to make it that little bit easier for us to follow.

Firstly, you need to get to grips with what the guidance allows and what it does not. Buying underwear does not count as any of your five items and other small accessories such as hats and gloves will also not count. However, you must still be mindful with your purchasing habits and be careful not to overindulge in these (rather tempting) branches of fashion. Obvious items of clothing that come to mind such as cardigans, dresses, and jeans would check off space on your list of five items. Like all good rules, there are of course boobie traps and you must be careful while navigating. Traps which must be avoided- or taken with caution- are second-hand clothing and gifts. Purchasing second-hand clothing and receiving gifts of clothing ARE included in your limited allowance. This means that although vintage shopping is a great way to meet your clothing demands, it does also add to your list of five items. This highlights that second-hand purchasing still has an impact and should still be thought of in a responsible manner.

But we should be rising to the challenge and taking accountability for our purchasing decisions. Five items in a whole year might seem daunting or unachievable, however, there are so many great reasons to follow this rule (ON TOP OF saving the planet). By limiting your fashion consumption, you can focus on solely buying higher quality items that you LOVE. Treasuring and taking pleasure out of your clothing is a good thing and will have a much better impact on yourself than bulk buying fast fashion. The items you buy while sticking to ‘The Rule of Five’ are more likely to be durable and long-lasting as you can afford to spend more money on them. If you think of your favorite dress or pair of jeans, that is sure to bring you more joy than your most recent haul. This is because the charm of newness wears off and once the novelty is gone it does not come back. However, cherishing pieces that resonate with you can provide a lifetime of admiration and nostalgia.

Remember it is all about doing your best and the more sustainable you can be with your fashion consumption the better. You will thank yourself for it and the planet will thank you too!