It is becoming more popular to support artisans and local businesses, and this dedication to sustainable shopping is making great changes in the fashion industry. Buying crafts and goods made by local artisans not only supports small businesses, but is a way you can also find some incredible pieces!

Here are a few reasons why it is crucial to support local artisans while shopping:

Give back to the community

When you shop for items that are made locally, you support where you shop. The money comes from the community to produce a good and when you shop locally, it goes right back to the community. If you are shopping online it can be easier to figure out where your items are sourced, made and designed to ensure you are shopping locally. And if you are in-store, it is worth checking the tags of your items to see where exactly they are produced. This way, you are giving back to the community and supporting all aspects of local businesses (not just where the items are sold).

Quality is much higher

It’s not to say that you can’t get great quality elsewhere, the quality is much higher for goods made by artisans because their trade is their craft. So much focus is put on producing high-quality items to really earn and deserve that ‘artisan’ level of quality. Many people find that the items that they purchased from local artisans last much longer compared to the quick turnaround items they purchased elsewhere. This is especially true for fashion, where artisanal and locally crafted products are much more high quality and durable, like for example these gorgeous handmade bags from the website Mirta, 100% made in Italy and created by local artisans.

Products are unique and have a “story”

While it is not uncommon to see the same item in hundreds of places when offered by a large retailer, a major benefit of supporting artisans is that the products are unique and have a “story”. There is so much to the art of creating artisanal items, and there is probably a very limited supply of each item.

Buying local is more sustainable

Handmade and unique items are often made locally in small batches and do not need to travel extensive miles for production, return from production, and the journey to be sold. If you do buy something online to support local businesses, consider which shipping method you select to be even more sustainable! Do you really need rush shipping or is standard shipping fine?

Great customer service

Artisans and local businesses have different business models than the department stores and massive businesses. If you speak with customer service, it is a very personable experience and you may even be speaking to the designer! Supporting artisans and local businesses isn’t just a way to find incredible items, but it is also a community and that alone offers a different type of ‘customer service’.

When you buy local, another incredibly important fact is that you are also directly supporting people’s jobs. Artisans focus on their craft and build a business around that, and when you support these small businesses you are supporting the artists’ passions and livelihoods.

What are your tips for sustainable shopping?

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