There are so many things to worry about in this world, and our clothing choices shouldn’t have to be one of them. However, with the advent of fast fashion and disposable clothing, it can be hard to know how to dress in a sustainable way that doesn’t hurt the environment. So here we will give you some top tips for building a sustainable wardrobe that will make you look good and feel good!
Choose Natural Fibers Over Synthetic Ones.
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and silk are environmentally friendly and much more comfortable to wear than polyester or other synthetic fabrics. They breathe better and are less likely to cause skin irritation. Linen is a great choice for summer clothing as it is lightweight and airy. Wool is perfect for winter as it is warm and insulating. Silk is a luxurious fabric that can be used for both formal and casual occasions. Cotton is perhaps the most versatile of all-natural fibers and can be used for everything from t-shirts to dresses. Choosing natural fibers over synthetic ones is one of the easiest ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable.
Shop Second-Hand.
One of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment is to shop second-hand. There are so many great places to find second-hand clothing these days, and you can often find items in better condition than if you were to buy them new. Not to mention, it’s a lot cheaper! By shopping second-hand, you’re giving clothes a second life and keeping them out of landfills. If you’re not sure where to start, try looking for consignment stores in your area, or check out online second-hand retailers. You can also search for specific items on websites like Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark. You could also try shopping at thrift stores and attending car boot sales to find second-hand treasures. Second-hand shopping helps reduce textile waste, water pollution, and energy consumption associated with the production of new clothing.
Build A Foundation Of Classics.
One way to have a sustainable wardrobe is to build your wardrobe around a foundation of classic pieces. These are items that never go out of style and can be worn season after season. To start, choose timeless silhouettes in neutral colors like black, white, navy, and gray. Then, add in a few key trends each season to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh. For example, you might add a floral dress for spring or a pair of ripped jeans for fall. But no matter what trends you choose, always make sure they’re items that you love and will want to wear for years to come. If you have a good foundation of classics, it’s easier to mix and match items to create different looks. And when you wear something more than once, you know it’s a sustainable piece. Finally, to get the most out of your clothes, look for versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways.
Shop For Quality, Not Quantity.
It’s better to have a few well-made pieces that will last you for years than a closet full of cheaply made clothing that will fall apart after a few washes. When shopping for new clothes, look for items that are well constructed from quality materials. Avoid anything with weak seams, thin fabric, or flimsy construction. Also, be sure to check the care instructions before you buy anything; if an item is dry clean only or hand wash only, it probably isn’t worth it to buy it; because, let’s be honest, will you really only ever dry clean or hand wash something that you spent average money on? Probably not. It’s also important to remember that not all designer labels are created equal. Just because something has a high price tag doesn’t mean it’s well-made. Do your research before you buy anything, and if you’re unsure about the quality of an item, ask a friend who has shopped there before or look for reviews online.
Choose Sustainable Brands.
When you are ready to invest in some new pieces, do your research and choose sustainable and ethical brands. There are several ways to determine if a brand is sustainable. First, you can research the company itself. How are their employees treated? Do they have good working conditions and livable wages? What are their manufacturing processes like? Are they environmentally friendly? You can take a look at upwest.com to see what a sustainable company looks like.
Another way to tell if a brand is sustainable is by the materials they use. Sustainable materials are ones that are natural, renewable, and biodegradable. They include things like organic cotton, bamboo, wool, hemp, and linen. These materials are all environmentally friendly and will break down over time, unlike synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Finally, you can check to see if the brand is a member of any sustainable fashion organizations. If they are, that means they are committed to making sustainable changes in the fashion industry.
Rent Or Swap Clothes.
If you want to wear a designer dress or a designer label but don’t want to spend the money, you can always rent it or borrow it from a friend. There are also websites and apps that allow you to swap clothes with other people. One website like this is Rent the Runway, which allows you to rent designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the retail price. This is a great way to get new clothes without buying anything new that will end up staying in your wardrobe that you will probably never wear again. In addition, it’s more sustainable because you’re not buying new clothes and creating more waste. Clothing sustainability is about reducing what goes into landfills and reusing and recycling clothes whenever possible.
Consider Your Shoes.
The average person owns about 19 pairs of shoes but wears only about four or five pairs on a regular basis. The rest sit in the closet, collecting dust. So if you’re trying to build a sustainable wardrobe, it’s important to first assess which shoes you actually wear and which ones you can live without. Do you really need that many pairs of shoes? Can you get by with fewer?
It’s also important to think about the quality of your shoes. Cheap, poorly-made shoes are not only bad for the environment (they’ll fall apart quickly and end up in a landfill), but they’re also bad for your feet. Investing in a few good pairs of shoes that will last you years is a much better option than buying several pairs of cheap shoes that will fall apart after just a few months. When it comes to shoes, less is usually more. And when you do buy new shoes, ensure they’re good quality so they’ll last.
Mend and Repair Clothes.
One way to make your clothes last longer is to mend and repair them when they start to fall apart. This can be as simple as sewing a button back on or patching a hole. If you don’t know how to sew, there are plenty of tutorials online that can teach you the basics. Knowing how to mend your own clothes is a valuable skill to have, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run. However, if you do not have the time to do this yourself, you can also take clothes to a tailor or seamstress to have them repaired. Another way to extend the life of your clothes is to take care of them properly. This means washing and drying them according to the care label instructions, storing them in a cool, dry place, and not wearing them too often. By taking good care of your clothes, you can make them last much longer.
In conclusion, these tips should help you build a sustainable wardrobe. However, keep in mind that there is no perfect way to shop sustainably. The most important thing is that you are making an effort to be more conscious about the clothing you buy and wear. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful information and inspiration to help you on your journey to a more sustainable closet.
Mavian Arocha-Rowe
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