8 Tips for Sustainable Fashion on a Budget

In this day and age most of our wardrobes are full of clothes from fast-fashion brands such as Primark and Missguided. By fast-fashion we mean cheaply made, cheaply sold clothes that we may decide to toss away after a couple of wears. This is hugely unsustainable and unethical on the environment and those working to give us the clothing we wear every day.

You may think it’s hard to be more ethical without reaching deep into your pockets or shopping for completely obscure brands but GOLD wants to prove you wrong…

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1.     Research!

The main reason we fall into a trap when it comes to ethical fashion is that we don’t read up on the background of the brands we’re buying from. If there’s no real information to be found on where the clothes are made or how they are made then you should probably question it! Just by doing this you can do your bit and make up your mind for yourself whether you want to shop somewhere or not.

2.     Swap your wardrobe!

Whether you attend an organized clothing swap or just swap your clothing with friends and family, you are helping to keep a sustainable wardrobe. Just because you may not want to keep or re-wear an item of clothing, doesn’t mean that someone else won’t find joy in it and you might get something you have always wanted for free!

Source: moneycrashers.com

3.     Donate clothes

Taking your clothes to charity shops instead of binning them is one way of being more sustainable whilst doing something for a good cause. H&M also run a scheme in which you can drop off any unwanted clothes to any store worldwide and they will do the rest. Your clothes are then either donated directly to charity or given a new lease of life instead of being turned to landfill.

Source: www.brandchannel.com

       4.     Don’t buy if you won’t wear

When trying to be more sustainable it’s important to think about what you’re buying. If you don’t see yourself wearing an item of clothing on multiple occasions, it’s probably not worth buying at all. By being more conscious about this we can be more ethical whilst actually saving a ton of money in the long run!

  5.     Look after your clothes

One of the reasons a lot of our clothing gets chucked in the bin is down to its condition. Although fast-fashion is cheaply made and therefore more likely to break more easily, there are ways we can look after and preserve our clothes to limit how much we get rid of. Just by looking at the washing instructions instead of ignoring them we can really extend the life of our wardrobe. Also air-drying is usually better than tumble-drying. Keep it in mind!

        6.     Look in charity shops or vintage shops

Obviously this takes a bit of searching and browsing but by buying second-hand clothing we are really helping to be more sustainable and ethical. Don’t give up after looking in one shop though, persevere and you may be surprised at what you find! London especially has some amazing vintage shops and with the whole vintage trend becoming more of a thing at the moment, you can’t really go wrong!

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 7.     Less is more

Quality over quantity when it comes to fashion any day. By sticking to staple pieces such as a simple good-quality white t-shirt or leather jacket you will be much better off in the long-run. Yes, you may spend a little more to begin with, but by doing this you will actually SAVE money as you will not have to keep re-buying as regularly.

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8.     Buy handmade items

Look at sites such as Etsy, where you can buy handmade garments, as you can see exactly where the items are coming from and know they were not made cheaply in a completely different continent. By doing this you are not only helping to be more sustainable but helping someone’s small business or side-venture to grow.

 By following these few tips you can be more sustainable without splashing the cash on designer brands and hugely expensive items. After all, every little thing you do can help…

Working Hard is a Hard Work - Ways To Cope With The Bad Days

Self-doubt, stress, anxiety, it happens even to the most fearless ones… and it certainly happens to students. 

We all get tired once in a while and guess what... you're totally allowed to.
Breakdowns have become somewhat an “inherent” part of student life as we know it. And we learn to turn it all into jokes and memes. Fair enough, it helps to cope with everything. It makes us feel better to see we’re not the only ones struggling with similar problems.

As much as working hard (or hardly working, depending on what kind of student you are – we’re not judging) moments of stress might get to us all. Whether it's approaching deadlines, the amount of work you have to do or the big unknown in general – life. Here are some gold reminders on how to deal with the 'bad days'. The points are simple but often forgotten in a daily rush.   

*Mind that we are not medical professionals nor these points should be taken as medical advice as such, for any help head to ANXIETY UK or call 03444 775 774 if you're experiencing a severe anxiety/panic attacks*

1. A DAY OFF 

This doesn't necessarily have to be spent somewhere in the mountains or somewhere in a luxury hotel (but that would be amazing), your house can turn into just the escape place you need. Buy some face masks, light some candles make sure the day is all about you and doing whatever makes you happy. 

2. MUSIC

A cliché, but WAY helpful! Research conducted over the years proves that music not only boosts your mood but also the immune system and is beneficial in decreasing levels of stress hormone. 

3. DANCE IT OUT, SQUAT IT OUT - YOU CHOOSE
It doesn't have to be a two-hour gym sesh, any form of movement that will get your heart racing will suffice. Exercise in all forms and kinds is good not only for your body but also for your mind. You might want to wipe off the dust from your bike, head to your local swimming pool or blast on the volume and just dance! 

4. ORGANIZE
‘I’ll make a study plan for the new term and stick to it.’ Ha, yeah right. Do we ever? 

I’m not lying when I say that I usually fail to do that, but the satisfaction of doing all the chores that were on the list is divine. And it's worth keeping that in mind. Having a sense of accomplishment reduces the fear and anxiety about the multitude of work that is to be done.
Planning out things helps us focus and stay on track with responsibilities. Making a study plan, a reading plan or any plan will certainly help you get back in the game and brings clarity. 

Knowledge is power - the more you know the less stressed you are. 
(We know how this looks in reality… buying, flicking through printables, printing them and not filling them… I mean the pages look nice blank too, right? But we’re here to remind you to grab a pen and get it all down!)

5. APPS
In the digital age, we might find a solution to the stress problem in our app store.
There are plenty of apps that offer support during the anxiety attacks such as: 
• calm. is an app which offers over 100+ guided meditations, sleep stories and music chosen specifically to help you focus, relieve stress and anxiety; 
CLICK
• HEADSPACE where you can find 'exercises to add extra mindfulness to your day, and hundreds of meditations on everything from stress to sleep'
CLICK
And last but not least... get enough sleep. We're all students, we understand because we can relate - that's why we're reminding you! 

***If you’re suffering (or suspect you might suffer) from any mental health issues make sure to talk to someone about it, whether your family, friends or school/uni councillors. People are there to help you and it’s always good to have someone to talk to!***


It’s good to look after yourself first before you start looking out for anything or anyone else. It’s all about self-love and self-care after all!

And in the middle of all the hard work you do, put your mental health first - don’t forget to relax… you’re allowed to have bad days, you're allowed to be tired. 

Life After Uni: What Happens Next?

Hurrah, you've finished uni. Now what?

Whether you’re approaching your final deadlines at university or you’re coming to the end of your first year, the thought of graduating and deciding what to do with our lives can be daunting for all of us. Most of the time, the issues lie within not knowing what options are available and where the hell to start…

That’s why we’ve provided some simple and honest explanations of the different paths you can take to get you off on the right foot.

Graduate Jobs

First up: graduate jobs. Now, this one doesn’t sound too tricky, right? Choosing to apply for a grad job after your degree is probably the most common option (but by no means easiest).

Applications for these go on throughout the year, meaning there’s not necessarily any rush to apply during your studies! However, you might want to make note that season peaks are often during May-July and September-November. The application process for a graduate job is a lot like applying for any other job – so make sure your CV is up to scratch and brush up on those interview skills!  

Although the term job can seem quite scary for a lot of us, don’t let that put you off. Graduate jobs still provide a lot of training and support for their employees – they’re just less structured than grad schemes. That means that instead of going through years of preparation, you’ll learn on the job. 

Sounds like your cup of tea? Then check out sites such as graduate-jobs.com and prospects.ac.uk for the latest available opportunities.

Graduate Schemes

If having a bit of structure and guidance in your life sounds more appealing to you, maybe a graduate scheme is your best bet. The term ‘graduate scheme’ seems to be thrown around a lot at university, but you’ll be surprised at the number of people who actually know what one is and what it entails. A graduate scheme is simply a structured training programme within an organisation or business with a set time of usually around 1-2 years. During this time, you’ll be provided with professional training in a sector of your choice as well as the likely opportunity to explore different parts of the organisation, meaning you can get a taste of what you really want to do.

The only problem with a grad scheme is that the application process takes a lot longer and applications usually open a year before you start. So, if you’re a second-year student and are hoping to take part in a grad scheme when you finish, make sure you don’t miss the application process, which starts in September of your final year! 

The reason they start so early is because graduate schemes usually involve a lengthy application process, so be prepared for a lot of interviews and assessments!

Despite this, graduate schemes can provide a lot of useful experience and training which can stay with you for the rest of your career. Getting paid and learning at the same time? Now that’s something we can totally get on board with.

Internships

Now, this is the one we’re probably most familiar with. Most students are advised to take on some kind of internship, whether that be during the summer or even during their studies. 

Internships are all about the experience. So, don’t be shocked if your position is unpaid. That being said, some internships will pay you – meaning you’ll gain valuable experience and earn some cash.

Another bonus about internships is that they’re a lot more flexible. Many internships take place during the summer but there is a wide selection of internships available throughout the year too. 

Internships vary in length, so if you’re really not sure about your future career and don’t want to spend two years in a training programme you’re unsure about, why not try out an internship for a few months? You can even arrange internships around your studies, but they’re great to consider after your degree too.

See… now that wasn’t too daunting, was it? These terms definitely sound way scarier than they actually are - but they’re important to know. Finding out about your possibilities means you’re a step closer to deciding on which path to take to get to your career. And as they say, no one really knows what the future holds – but here’s the first step to deciding yours.

Five Books To Get You Motivated AF

We all need a kick up the @$$ sometimes, whether we like it or not. A plan for self-improvement and productivity is something we should be doing on a daily basis, so why don't we? 

We all take the blame for being stuck in the mud when simply put, all it takes is a change of perspective and priorities. May it be in your career, your relationships or even down to sticking to your New Years resolutions. 

Now before you start to think: “I can’t or don’t know how to do that” or “That already sounds too complicated”... you’ve unknowingly already begun to procrastinate and self-doubt. 

Hands up if you’ve ever been personally victimized by laziness, procrastination or self-doubt? Have you ever spent too much time thinking or questioning that assignment you have to do — rather than spending that time on productive thoughts on how to tackle it? Because, same...

As exemplified in the 2018 book “The Rise of Victimhood Culture” (It’s more a dynamic book based on societal thinking of moral conflicts). Its framework can really be practiced on an individual when it comes to self-doubting and just doing. 

Self-doubt is the main issue when it comes to achieving and overcoming goals, which we all play the victim. 

Below are Gold’s top 5 self-help books and reviews to get you in the right mindset to get yourself motivated. 

1 The Discomfort Zone - Farrah Storr

Honestly, just look at Mrs. Storr. Need we say more? 

This impeccable book is the antidote to overcome a time of anxiety when facing new life challenges. In a nutshell, your best achievements are when you step out of your comfort zone and aim to not just survive but thrive. 

Even Tess Holliday herself said about The Discomfort Zone:

“The Discomfort Zone is a book that we all so desperately need. Farrah has a way of lighting a fire inside of you with her words, her journey, and her spirit. I urge you to read this book, deal with those feelings that are holding you back and thrive in the discomfort zone”

2. How To Own The Room - Viv Groskop

Viv Groskop is an inspirational woman and comedian, she includes a range of foolproof tips and tricks, not only for public speaking but building self-confidence. 

Daisy Buchanan, author of “How To Be a Grown Up” reviewed the book as:

“An excellent, truly useful guide to getting more women front and center, encouraging us to take part, noisily, in public life. (The podcast is also fabulous.)’"

3. Girlboss - Sophia Amoruso

A personal favorite of mine after watching the Girlboss Netflix show. Just how Sophia Amoruso was relentless in establishing her career as founder of NastyGal. She is not like any other CEO, she has sass and humor and style. She explores her individual path to success, with brilliant pointers tucked in the pages, this is definitely one to keep in your back pocket. 

4. How To Be An Overnight Success - Maria Hatzistefanis

This book doesn’t get as much credit as it should. It's quite the hidden gem, if I may so myself. Not only is Maria Hatzistefanis founder of Nip + Fab, but she liaises with Poppy Delevigne and Kylie Jenner. She truly believes any women has the potential to be as successful as she can be. 

5. Bloody Brilliant Women - Cathy Newman

Don’t feel like getting down into the nitty gritty yet of completely changing your life around?Or maybe you just need some inspiration? 

The title says it for you. Cathy Newman delves into the past and highlights the greatest heroines of all time, and really examines how these brave women through history have achieved and overcome so much. 

So... What are you waiting for. We're in 2019 now and have the power to do anything we put our minds to. If you're feeling motivated but need that extra push, grab one of these books in a Waterstones or WHSmith near you!