Most of us are well aware of the extremely detrimental impact the fashion industry has on the environment. Clothing companies from all over the world have long been major contributors to environmental degradation and pollution, and this has only escalated over the years with the rise of fast fashion. Current consumer culture also frequently encourages shoppers to buy more clothes than they can wear to keep up with seasonal trends, only to discard these when they’re no longer in style.
Given the current climate crisis, many people would certainly like to take a less environmentally damaging approach to buying and wearing clothing. The idea of creating a more sustainable wardrobe can be daunting, however, especially for those who are new to eco-friendly shopping. Some might be worried about limited choices, not being able to wear their favorite brands, or having to shell out a little more for ethically produced clothing.
Contrary to popular belief, however, there are many simple and relatively easy ways to start shopping and dressing more sustainably, and the long-term benefits are well worth the effort. Read on for some expert tips on how to start building the perfect environmentally friendly wardrobe.
Shop for Quality, Not Quantity
One of the simplest eco-friendly shopping tips just involves planning a bit more before you buy. When shopping, try going for high-quality pieces that will last longer and need less frequent replacement. And don’t just invest in statement pieces, either, as it will serve you well to prioritize quality even for basics like T-shirts, hosiery, jeans, and classic dresses. These pieces will probably form the foundation for many of your outfits, so don’t give in to the temptation to just buy them en masse for cheap.
Shopping for high-quality clothing might cost you more upfront, but you’ll likely keep these items for longer and will end up buying fewer pieces per season on the whole. Saving up for clothes and treating fashion as an investment rather than an opportunity to splurge will, by itself, already do a lot to bring down your carbon footprint.
Do the 30 Wears Test
In addition to prioritizing higher quality items, teach yourself to only buy items you know you’ll wear often.
Livia Firth, whose company Eco Age certifies brands for sustainability, recommends that shoppers think about whether they can see themselves wearing a particular item they’re interested in buying a minimum of 30 times. If the answer is yes, it’s probably a good buy—but, she says, it would surprise most people how frequently the answer ends up being no.
In practice, using the 30 wears test means steering clear of statement pieces you’re probably only going to wear once. The same goes for very season-dependent pieces or pieces that you only see yourself wearing to keep up with current trends.
Instead, try to choose versatile pieces that you can restyle in many different ways and wear in combination with all sorts of other clothes. These will be items you can use again and again year-round without worrying about them falling out of fashion.
Patronize Sustainable Brands
Figuring out where to shop is one of the more challenging aspects of living more sustainably, but it’s much easier nowadays than it used to be. Many brands with a focus on sustainability have emerged over the years, and they usually communicate at least some information about their practices on their websites or social media pages.
If you’re unsure about where a brand stands on environmental issues, it always helps to do a bit of research and even to ask them directly. Shooting their staff a quick message on a social media platform of your choice is a quick and easy way to determine whether or not you’ll be buying from a brand whose values align with your own. Take note of stores you like as you research, and you’ll soon find yourself with a whole portfolio of eco-friendly retailers to choose from.
As a general rule of thumb, if you have a hard time finding out a particular brand’s stance, they probably aren’t all that environmentally conscious. Prominent environmental activists and sustainability-focused organizations like Eco Age are also often good sources of verified and reliable brand recommendations.
Explore Secondhand Stores
Current research shows that the amount of unwanted clothing that’s thrown away rather than recycled yearly comes to a total of over 300,000 tons. This is the case in large part because most of us are used to thinking of fashion as linear. According to this way of thinking, a clothing item’s life begins with production and ends when the item is discarded in a landfill, incinerated, or otherwise disposed of.
Advocates of sustainable fashion, however, have worked to challenge this idea in recent years by promoting practices like reselling and clothing rentals. This relatively new approach to fashion is in line with the idea of the circular economy, which encourages people to minimize the amount of waste they produce by sharing resources.
A quick Google search will show you no small number of resale sites and other reputable places to purchase secondhand clothing online, and these stores often stock everything from casual everyday clothes to designer articles. Rental platforms can also help you find appropriate outfits for special occasions, which may help curb the impulse to buy expensive things you probably won’t wear again.
Care for Your Clothes Properly
As mentioned above, higher-quality clothes are more likely to last longer, and you may also be more motivated to treat these clothes carefully because they were more expensive. In general, though, looking after any item of clothing properly is a surefire way to extend its lifespan. Whether it’s hand-washing your wools and delicates or turning your denim pieces inside-out before laundering, making the extra effort to care for your clothes will save you a lot in the long run.
If you’d like to invest in just one essential tool for clothing care, many fashion experts recommend either a handheld or a standing steamer. A steamer works more gently on clothes than an iron, but it’s just as effective at getting the wrinkles out of your clothes. The steam also kills bacteria, eliminates unpleasant smells, and removes visible signs of wear efficiently.
Embracing sustainable fashion involves slowing down, thinking about how our clothes are made and their impacts on the environment, and committing to treating them with more care. Doing your part to maximize your current wardrobe and engage in ethical buying helps build a healthier, more eco-friendly clothing culture overall.
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