Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Accumulative vs. Appreciative Materialism: Implications for Sustainable Apparel Consumption

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Abstract

Guided by Kramarczyk and Oliver’s (2022) bi-dimensional definition of materialism, the present study proposes that appreciative and accumulative materialism have opposite relationships with sustainable apparel consumption (SAC) and impulse buying. A theoretical framework based on Wicklund and Gollwitzer’s (1981) symbolic self-completion theory, serves as a basis for the relationship between self-esteem and materialism. Useable data from 216 Gen X students were collected through an online survey. Through multiple regression analysis, results revealed that accumulative materialism negatively influences SAC and positively influences impulse buying. Whereas, appreciative materialism positively influences SAC with no significant negative influence on impulse buying. Additionally, self-esteem was found to negatively influence accumulative materialism, but positively influence (marginal) appreciative materialism. Environmental concern was found to positively predict appreciative materialism. The results reveal that accumulative and appreciative materialism are distinct concepts with differing outcomes and antecedents, expanding the theoretical implications of materialism for SAC and impulse buying. 

Keywords: Accumulative Materialism, Appreciative Materialism, Sustainable Apparel Consumption, Environmental Concern, Impulse Buying, Self Esteem

How to Cite:

Stovall, C. E. & Chattaraman, V., (2025) “Accumulative vs. Appreciative Materialism: Implications for Sustainable Apparel Consumption”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18584