Many fashion brands are making shopping for a sustainable wardrobe much easier nowadays. There are several eco-focussed campaigns going on, and various clothing ranges being released with a sustainable theme. This may vary, as certain brands concentrate on ethically sourcing materials whereas others focus on minimising waste with recycling or reduced packaging. In any case, it’s getting more and more possible to shop guilt-free for clothing. If you really want to build a sustainable wardrobe you could also try upcycling and repurposing old clothes, or even rental fashion. Here are ten steps to a sustainable wardrobe.
Research sustainable brands
It’s easy to discover more about sustainable brands online. They are constantly being reviewed and you can find a list of the best ethical clothing brands in 2020. Another good way to research sustainable brands is on social media. Check out their environmental campaign to discover whether their values align with your own.Â
On social media, you can also read customer reviews and even speak to ambassadors for the brand themselves. Get informed about their latest projects, before you decide whether to endorse them or not. If you believe they’re on the right track then spread the word to your friends. It’s important to raise awareness of sustainable fashion.Â
Get used to a more minimal wardrobe
The most sustainable wardrobe is one that comes with a more minimalist lifestyle. It might be time for a big clear out to get started. Go through your clothing collection and be prepared to make cut-throat decisions about what you will realistically wear. Anything you haven’t worn in a while, organise into donate or throw away piles. Base this on the quality of the materials as you’ll be surprised how many items of clothing can be recycled or repurposed. Here are some more decluttering tips to help you get through it.
Once you’ve had an initial decluttering, you can then develop a more mindful attitude towards filling your wardrobe. Try to avoid stocking up on clothes, unnecessary spending, and impulse buying. Focus on reducing waste instead.
Sustainable accessories
There are plenty of sustainable accessories brands as well. You can also do your own bit to reduce waste. For example, if you’re looking for a new pair of glasses, you could keep the old frames and just replace the lenses, or vice versa. Get some fresh new frames in the latest italian fashion without forking out for the lenses. You’ll be saving money as well as making an ethical choice.
If you’re able to get things like shoes and glasses repaired, opt for this over buying new ones. You’ll be surprised how much your local cobbler can do for a cheap price. Your shoes will be as good as new and you won’t need to waste money or emissions on a new pair.
Experiment with rental fashion
Rather than buying clothes, rental fashion is another option that’s hot right now. It’s actually a pretty cool idea. Here are some of the best rental sites in the UK for you to check out. Clothes sharing is all part of the circular economy concept. This is aimed at minimising waste and making the most of resources.
Using rental platforms instead of buying new means fewer items will be bought that will eventually end up going in a landfill. Eco-conscious consumers are driving a boom in rental fashion, meaning there are more and more startups and big brands jumping on the bandwagon. Certain famous brands also offer incentives when you recycle their products and make other significant recycling efforts.Â
Sustainable laundry
Once you’ve built up a sustainable wardrobe, it’s also important to take care of it in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. This means washing your clothes less often, and when you do taking care to use eco-friendly laundry products and low temperatures. Your clothes don’t need washing as frequently as you might think, as this could also be worse for the fabric.
Avoid using the tumble-drier as well as this isn’t very eco-friendly. Read the labels when shopping and get to know which types of fabrics are easier to take care of. If possible, handwash your clothes more often as well.Â
Upcycling ideas
If you fancy yourself a bit of a creative, why not try upcycling some old clothes? You don’t have to be super talented with a sewing machine, and there are plenty of inspiring ideas online. Everyone has old clothes in their wardrobe that could be given a new purpose. You don’t necessarily need to turn them into new clothes, you could make cushion covers or upholstery, for instance.
Upcycling is trending at the moment and it’s easy to see why. It’s a very satisfying and thrifty hobby, as well as being better for the environment. If you can find a use for your old clothes then donate them to a site or put them in a clothing bank. Ask around in the community or even organise a swap shop.
Vintage style
Vintage is a great option if you want a more sustainable wardrobe, plus it’ll always be in style. If you choose to buy vintage your helping to reduce emissions caused by manufacturing, dyeing, bleaching, and transporting new designs. Check out some of the best online vintage stores at the moment. There are plenty of places online to get hold of some great deals.
The vintage market has a much lower carbon footprint. Invest in some timeless pieces and introduce more vintage to your sustainable wardrobe. You can usually guarantee better quality from pieces that have already lasted a while.
Sustainable materials
Stick to sustainable materials like recycled man-made cellulose and bast fibres, and avoid fabrics with the worst environmental impact such as cotton, synthetics, and animal-derived materials. You might have to do some research into brands or check the labels to find out what materials your new clothes are made out of. This way you can ensure they have been ethically sourced. It depends on you but you might want to make exceptions for vintage clothing.
Mindful buying
An important step towards a sustainable wardrobe is mindful shopping. Think twice before buying any new items. Going over in your head whether you actually need them and how often you can imagine wearing them. Mindful shopping is all about taking the time to think about what you’re buying. Try to come up with a more sustainable alternative for the clothes that you would normally buy.Â
The more you take care with your shopping the more likely you’ll develop more minimalistic and sustainable habits. Focus on achieving different goals such as zero waste and learn how to repurpose second-hand items. These types of activities are much more mindful than retail therapy.Â
Buy for quality
The more long-lasting your clothes are the more sustainable your entire wardrobe is. Always go for quality over price as this way you’ll be guaranteed more durable materials. Avoid choosing cheaply made clothes as these are more likely to end up in a landfill. Spend more time looking for better quality items, and buy less.
As well as opting for quality, it’s also more sustainable to have an idea in mind for a more versatile wardrobe. Look for items that you can wear across different seasons and match with other things in your collection. You’ll be able to build a more efficient wardrobe and reduce waste. If you’re looking to make your wardrobe more sustainable, shop for quality, versatile pieces. You can feel confident you’ll get the most use out of your clothes.