Throughout the years, there has been great speculation about the lack of ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry overall. It is very difficult to change a whole industry but starting with our own actions facilitates this. There is always so much speculation about the impacts of fashion on the environment and society, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start.
Consumers must be aware of their daily fashion decisions and ways to ensure they are making the right ones. You may be buying clothing items regularly, blind to the effects of your behavior on society. In this article, we will provide you with fashion tips to make your wardrobe more sustainable and help you think twice before buying any fashion item.
1. Think Before Buying
One of the biggest mistakes people make that reduce the sustainability of their wardrobe is buying new fashion items without thinking about them beforehand. We all have that one friend (or do this ourselves!) who loves retail therapy and uses this to make themselves happy. It does feel good to go out shopping and buying new things, but this means that we are buying with emotions rather than need. This can lead to many clothes being hung in the closet with the tag on for many months. Before you buy something new, think about whether you really need it.
2. Repair and Upcycle Clothes
Just because your clothes look old or are damaged, does not necessarily mean that you need new things. Many items may not look brand new, but we can still wear them for a while longer. There are steps you can take to improve your clothes or turn them into new accessories. You would be surprised at how you can turn an old shirt into a bag or a pillow cover or worn-out jeans into brand new shorts.
3. Buy Intentionally From The Right Brands
You can’t wear all the clothes you own simultaneously. If you’ve noticed that your clothes aren’t worn regularly, it’s the perfect time to declutter, particularly those clothes and accessories having the same purpose, style, and color. In case you need a new clothing piece for a particular event, only purchase the clothing pieces you need, and ensure that it’s high-quality and long-lasting.
Also, creating a wardrobe inventory is beneficial for tracking how many clothes you have and their expected lifespan. This way, you can see which items need a replacement and prepare for their purchase.
When shopping for new clothes and accessories, opt for supporting sustainable brands like Bamboo Underwear that genuinely make efforts in saving the environment. Some brands may fool consumers by claiming their support for sustainability despite doing the opposite for the environment, so here are some ways to check if your ‘sustainable’ clothing brand may be lying to you:
- Check the materials they use in all clothing items
- Do they sell items made of leather?
- Research their programs and initiatives and if they align with their sustainability goals
- Research on the working conditions of their employees
- Choose brands that use eco-friendly packaging solutions to reflect their brand
- Check how they promote sustainability in their communication channels
4. Learn More About Sustainability
It can be difficult to be more sustainable when you do not know much about what to do. The importance of leading a sustainable lifestyle is increasing among the population and this has resulted in an increase of information available out there and communities you can join. The sustainability enthusiasts at wholepeople.com suggest reading expert blogs on the subject is a smart move to increase your knowledge and receive tips on how to improve your lifestyle. You can learn more about how to check brands’ sustainability and ethics as well as which laundry products are best to use.
5. Donate Any Items You Do Not Want
Be aware to never put any piece of clothing in the bin. Clothes are very rarely so worn out that you will need to completely get rid of them. Remember that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. You may not like certain fashion items that you own, either because you wore them too many times or you do not believe they look good on you. Whatever the reason, there maybe someone out there who would love the fashion accessory that you do not like. Go through your wardrobe and if there’s any stuff you do not want, donate them to charity or sell them online as these are more sustainable approaches.
6. Be Aware of Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is an issue that is raising more concerns among consumers as they are becoming more aware of this. You know that big fashion brands often create new trends, and this can happen every few months. This creates a massive waste issue, as people want to follow these fashion trends. This means that new pieces of clothing are quickly created and discarded once something new comes up. Furthermore, to ensure that the demand is met at low costs, brands with this approach often lack ethical ways of working as many of their employees work long hours in very poor conditions and at extremely low rates. You would be surprised at how many of your favorite brands utilize the fast fashion business model. Learn more about this and research which companies are sustainable and support them.
7. Do Not Wash Clothes If They Are Not Dirty
We may not think much about the act of doing our laundry and how this may impact the environment. Some people use their washing machine with a couple of pieces of clothing rather than with a full load. As you can imagine, this is not very sustainable. It is a waste of energy and water and it will also make your clothes not last as long. Wash your clothes when they are dirty and make sure that your machine is loaded to its capacity. You can also use a sustainable laundry product that will be better for your clothes and the environment.
Takeaways
An overall sustainable living starts with a single step. You do not have to make drastic changes overnight to your entire lifestyle, but you must look around you and assess what you can change today. The tips discussed on this page will support you to increase your sustainability awareness when it comes to your fashion choices.
