Attitudes and Actual Buying Behaviour of Sustainable Clothes from the Perspective of Female Generations in Slovakia

Abstract

Mainstream economics sees the solution to the problem of exploitative use of limited natural resources in a properly functioning price system. The price mechanism thus works on the principle of scarcity: if a natural resource becomes scarce, it is used less (higher demand causes an increase in the price of the resource). This argumentation is subject to the fulfilment of one condition: the price mechanism must work properly. The criticism of mainstream economics lies in the fact that the global market still offers producers locations with attractive input prices. This is how we achieve global economic growth but also an enormous increase in environmental problems. The clothing industry makes a significant global contribution to increasing the environmental burden. Enormous production is seconded here by customer demand. Specifically, fast fashion represents a constant cycle of buying and disposing of clothes, leading to a significant amount of textile waste. Consumers, with their decision-making power and choices,can be a part of a solution, but it is necessary to know their behaviour. The aim of the paper was to examine whether there exist differences among four female generational cohorts in Slovakia regarding their attitudes towards sustainable clothes and their real purchase behaviour. The questionnaire survey on the sample of n = 428 respondents was used as a method of data collection. One-way ANOVA was used to determine differences between all age groups. A Tukey post hoc test revealed that (1) Gen Y and Gen Z had significantly higher attitudes towards sustainable clothing in comparison with Baby Boomers and (2) Gen X and Gen Y expressed higher levels of purchases of sustainable clothes in comparison with both Baby Boomers and Gen Z. There were no significant differences in actual purchases of sustainable clothing between Gen X and Gen Y orbetween Baby Boomers and Gen Z. The oldest and youngest generations (Baby Boomers and Gen Z) do not differ among themselves but buy significantly less sustainable clothes in comparison with Gen X and Gen Y. Overall, all generations showed positive attitudes towards sustainable clothes, especially younger generations, but this was not fully reflected in their real purchase behaviour. Gen Z and Baby Boomers tend not to buy sustainable clothes, and Gen X and Gen Y are indifferent in this issue. This knowledge helps companies within the fashion industry concentrate on specific segments, tailor their communication strategies accordingly, target educational statements and adopt appropriate practices that are in line with consumer behaviour. To effectively tackle this matter, understanding diverse consumer groups can be highly advantageous, offering valuable insights into their behavioural patterns. It helps to distinguish practices that motivate female consumers to purchase sustainable clothes.