Shopping for Durga Puja but make it Sustainable -

What? Durga Puja shopping?

Am I encouraging consumerism in the name of culture?

Of course not. I strongly support, no-buy years, especially not buying new. Yet, pujor shopping has a hold on the culture of West Bengal that is undeniable and for those who wish to shop or not shop and yet wear fresh and new clothes to celebrate Maa’s arrival, there must be a way right? Maybe sustainable shopping or is that an oxymoron? Sustainable clothing, then.

This is a struggle I too faced- do I buy new clothes for Pujo knowing they are not the most sustainable thing and knowing I don’t truly like doing that… or do I give up something that adds immense value to my family’s lives? I mean, here’s the deal, realistic sustainability would say I buy because we don’t want them to hate being sustainable…but I have to look at my comfort which isn’t with compromising on this aspect of sustainability because fast fashion is the third biggest polluter there is. Plus, just to accommodate we can’t always justify the unsustainable choice. So, I had to choose me and the sustainable way.

Yet, I also wanted to enjoy this aspect of the celebratory season.

Is it Balance or a Cop-Out?

Balancing culture and sustainability can be difficult, since most of our culture for one reason or another has become cantered around consumerism, and while some of us choose to change the status quo by questioning this, not everyone prefers that. Many of us want our traditions to continue, provided they are healthy traditions, and one such tradition for Bengalis can be buying new clothes for the festival for Durga Puja.

Why?

Well, I spoke to my in-laws, who are Bengalis, and tried to understand where does the need of new clothes come from. For one, like in many Hindu communities, the idea of entering a temple in fresh clothing applies here too, and while most deities are okay with freshly washed clothes, for Pujo it is expected you wear untouched clothing, especially in the pandals. I was told otherwise it is okay to wear regular clothing. There is also the idea of celebration and sharing that via new clothes.

Of course, there is the aspect of commerce, but traditionally the idea that people only bought new clothes during the festive time could have been the reason behind new clothes for Durga Puja, as that would mean that consumerism is limited to one part of the year, which can itself curb excess.

Now, today, many of us buy new clothes whenever wherever. There is also the guideline, that except socks and underwear, buying only five pieces of new clothing is what will help us stick to the 1.5-degree marker, which I want to follow, adding to my struggle, especially since I already thrifted pieces because I have outgrown quite a few of my clothes. Plus, my mother loves to gift me fast fashion and I have given up on that battle, though we do seem to be making progress on using fabric that is lying around at home to get clothing stitched instead, mostly inspired in part by the great folk at Tamarind Chutney.

And that by the way, hints at two of my hacks to be sustainable while shopping for Durga Puja.

No-Buy Solutions for Your Durga Puja Pandal Hopping

Tailored Clothing from Thrifted or Upcycled Or Swapped Fabrics

If you wish to be eco-friendly and also support local businesses and artisans, this is one of the best ways to get your clothes for Durga Puja. While this does take some time, it also holds true to the untouched clothing aspect of the festival and is extremely traditional. Simply get some fabric scraps or even thrifted dress materials and get your new clothes made. No new resources needed, waste reduced, and a local tailor given patronage! Of course, if you are thrifting fabric then it is no longer no-buy, but that’s the best part, you don’t have to buy, because swap circles are becoming extremely popular. While you can simply wear swapped pieces, there is always making something new out of it, even if preserving vintage items has its own value. Y2K fashion is making a comeback after all!

Upcycled Clothing this Durga Puja Season!

Now, while I don’t like tearing up old sarees to use as fabrics, you can take a dress that no longer fits quite right and give it a new life. Or take scrap clothing and stitch it together to make something new. Stores like Gift Green India also sell such items for those in a rush, but again that might not fir your definition of no-buy. Plus, Kolkata does seem to have upcycling stores but I am not sure how fair-trade they are.

Now here’s what I did for Durga Puja 2024.

Thrifted and Swapped Clothing Or Heirlooms and Hand-me-downs

Now, I hear you. How do you get new items when thrifted, especially since like me your items might arrive delayed? Well, my fellow human, you didn’t get untouched clothing in the mall either and there’s this aspect of visiting local thrift stores, or ordering online from places close by. In malls, someone must have tried it on and if I sanitize mine right, then I feel its new to me, especially if it’s brought from local thrift stores which I know clean items. Plus, here’s the deal- according to some sources, while it is best to present our clothes to the goddess herself, we can also give them to others to wear before us tor reduce the pull towards materialism, provided they are good people and we clean the clothes well.

Of course, this wasn’t enough to remove my mother’s fears of thrifted clothing containing negative energy or being from the dead, so here’s a hack. Look for thrifted clothing that people couldn’t return on time, or that still has tags. Ask why it is being sold. Sometimes, someone just bought a gift that didn’t fit right. Or has an excess. These are new and they work, right? And try not to break the five items a year rule, which in my opinion thrifting doesn’t either but better experts disagree, but the less we buy, the better…unless it adds immense value to us.

As for the time issue, while I do not advocate for planning for any events before it is actual at our doorstep, last minute shopping can lead to impulse buying so hit that sweet spot of planning without letting companies start it too early for you.

Plus, you can always wear hand-me-downs because someone has worn them before you but for you, they’re new but I am not sure that tradition allows that, that is just my understanding and attempt at balancing sustainability and cultural practises. Just clean the clothes well. This also allows us to keep our traditional crafts in circulation which is the best thing ever, especially with nani’s sarees. Or we can also pick some buying but still sustainable options.

Sustainable Shopping Options for Durga Puja

Buy from artisans, especially those using sustainable materials and traditional techniques

While this would break the five item a year rule if you buy a lot, it also supports India’s sustainable development. And you can always take thrifted fabrics to these artisans. Supporting them supports our culture, and more important, our farm and craft economies. For sustainable and fair-trade brands who support artisans, you can look at Wear Miho for vegan and non-vegan kids’ clothing and toys this festive season or Tamarind Chutney for one-of-a-kind clothing.

But why am I even suggesting new items? If it were so easy, then where was the struggle for me? Right?

No.

Because while I can thrift, that isn’t possible for everyone. Nor does everyone have a shopping-lover sister whose closet they can raid. And more important, sometimes buying new can support fair-trade practices, such as when we buy from…

Slow Fashion Stores and Factory Discards

See, all factory discards don’t support fair-trade, of course. Some are fast-fashion, but they stop waste, which is always a plus. But say, Suta or Okhai factory discards, despite being pricey can support fair-trade practises without having as big an environmental toll as buying new, even from these “sustainable stores.” And if fair trade is the cause you want to support, there are a lot of brands which do so…even ones like Snitch, Westside, and Zudio have these claims, though they are also fast-fashion so who knows how true these are, especially since some of their clothes are made in Bangladesh which is known the fast fashion industry’s sins. My husband will still buy and use his Zudio shirts to death though, and while increasing their lifecycle does make them less impactful than using a few times, his closet has other “better” brands too, like thrifted pieces from The Souled Store found on FreeUp…

A Parting Note

At the end of the day, my dilemma found an answer in understanding the tradition and my limits. Yours can be something else, especially if your particular style isn’t widely available, a struggle I too have faced, which I am trying to resolve with stitching but I know that’s not for everyone. So, let me know in the comments where you stand.

You may say that hey, occasional fast-fashion, unless the workers are protesting, supports them and if you repair and mend and use that item, then it reduces the eco-toll which is the stance my bestie takes.

Or you may say those aren’t durable and the labour conditions are so bad that even the support doesn’t help the workers, and the durability issue persists even when your thrift so you would rather wash and re-style what you own, which kudos. Major respect.

My hill was to try and respect the festivals of Navtrati, Durga Puja, and Diwali- because community and culture when enjoyable and accepting are important for sustainability- without hurting my ethics, the planet, or people. What’s yours? Let me know in the comments!

Oh, and share where you got your Pujo clothing or if you didn’t.

Happy festive season for my celebrators!

Author’s Note: Thank you for being here and please know I do not intend disrespect with this work, being that I am open to learning more To read more of my poetry, you can head to the store or email roongta.bw.anjali@gmail.com with the work you like best to get your copies. Remember, poetry and experiences are some of the best gifts for your nerdy and susty loved ones, alongside thrifted merch and DnD sessions.