Prior to a friend turning my head to the idea of becoming more eco-conscious, I had no idea what a sustainable wardrobe was. I was known to be a ‘bargain-shopper’ and was unaware that the clothing I was purchasing was from fast fashion brands, which is why it was so inexpensive and that human lines and the cost to our planet was the real price I was paying. I had no idea that there were ways to make our fashion choices more sustainable by paying more attention to the clothing we purchase.
It now seems obvious that If I had shopped smarter and spent a few extra bucks, I would have better quality clothing that would last me years instead of months and that was made more responsibly. Similarly, the more you pay and the more thought you put into your clothing, the more you care, the more inclined you are to take care of your clothes, making them last and using more ‘earth friendly’ cleaning methods that are not so hard on the fabrics either.
Below are 8 Tips to help you create a more sustainable wardrobe.
- Take Care of Your Clothes
Making sure to properly care for each item of clothes you own is one of the most crucial aspects of living a more sustainable lifestyle when it comes to your wardrobe.
You may extend the life of your clothing by caring for it, which will enable you to get the most use out of it for the longest time possible.
Start treating the clothing you now own with more care, as well as all future items you will acquire.
To prolong the life of any piece of clothing, follow the care instructions.
Additionally, you want to be careful not to overwash certain apparel items like jeans, which only require washing after a few wears.
2. Buy Good Quality Clothing
You must invest in high-quality clothing that won’t degrade quickly if you want to create a sustainable wardrobe. That entails avoiding fast fashion.
The price of high-quality clothing will often be more than the price of fast fashion labels, but change your mindset to realize the value in the more expensive purchase as it will lasts longer.
As a result, even though you may pay more up front, you’ll wind up spending less money overall on clothing buying.
How to tell if clothing is good quality?
- Check the fabric label. High-quality clothing often uses natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk, or linen. Synthetic materials like polyester can be of good quality too, but they should feel soft and durable.
- Inspect the stitching carefully. High-quality clothing will have straight, even seams with no loose threads or irregular stitching. Pay attention to double stitching in areas prone to stress, like pockets or hems.
- Look at the seam finishing. Quality garments often have finished seams, such as serged or French seams, which prevent fraying. Unfinished or raw seams may suggest lower quality.
- Check buttons, zippers, and other fasteners. Quality buttons should be securely attached, and zippers should glide smoothly without catching. Metal or sturdy plastic buttons are usually better than flimsy ones.
- If the clothing item is supposed to have a lining (e.g., jackets, skirts), ensure it’s well-constructed and not flimsy or prone to tearing.
- Pay attention to the fit and cut of the garment. High-quality clothing is often well-tailored, with even hems and consistent proportions. Poorly cut or ill-fitting clothing may indicate lower quality.
- Rub the fabric gently to check for pilling (small fabric balls). Low-quality fabrics tend to pill quickly, which can affect the appearance and longevity of the clothing.
- Look for even and vibrant dye. High-quality clothing should have consistent color throughout the garment without fading or irregular patches.
- Research the brand’s reputation. Established and reputable brands are more likely to produce higher-quality clothing items due to their commitment to brand integrity.
3. Choose Sustainable Materials
Investing in clothing manufactured from eco-friendly materials is another method to build a sustainable wardrobe.
A sustainable material or fabric is manufactured from natural resources such as wool, hemp, and organic cotton, to mention a few, and is cultivated naturally and/or organically.
Think about purchasing underwear made of hemp, a wallet made of leaves, or apparel made of organic cotton rather than man-made materials such as nylon or polyester.
When it comes to producing clothing, there are also various eco-friendly materials available, such as recycled polyester and bottles used to make fabrics that often fun choices so you never get bored with your wardrobe.
4. Shop Second-Hand
One of the finest options for building a sustainable wardrobe is purchasing vintage or used items.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that something has reached the end of its useful life just because it was previously worn by another person.
Frequently, you can find brand-new items that are still in excellent condition and were only discarded because the owner lost interest in them or outgrew them.
Shopping at a thrift store is a terrific method to uncover clothing items in styles that are probably no longer available because they are from a prior season and you can purchase them for a steep discount.
5. Actually Wear What You Buy
Make sure you wear the clothes you buy, or invite into your life, by allowing them to become a part of your daily attire.
You most likely have several items of clothing hanging in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in weeks, years, or even ever.
Make sure you purchase clothing that you adore when making a purchase, not just buying it because it is a ‘bargain’.
You’ll be more likely to take care of your clothing and wear it frequently if you have an emotional bond with it.
6. Consider A Garment’s Life After You No longer Love It
When building an ethical wardrobe, what you do with your clothing at the end of its life cycle is as crucial as buying it in the beginning.
Instead of tossing your well-loved garments in the trash after they are too worn out or torn, have outgrown you, or you are simply ready for a change, there are various activities you can take to encourage sustainability.
Good-condition clothing can be distributed to family and friends, donated to resale shops or charities, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that just because you recycle your clothing doesn’t imply it will truly be recycled and if your clothing items are truly worn out, then remember to dispose of them responsibly.
7. Shop Local
Another great way to promote sustainability through your wardrobe is to shop locally. That goes for new clothes as well as secondhand.
By shopping from local stores and brands, you’re reducing the carbon footprint that you would otherwise create by shopping from big-name brands or online stores that may have to ship their items to you from half way across our planet.
8. Only Buy What You Actually Need
When purchasing, ask yourself whether the purchase is really necessary, or will it add to building a capsule wardrobe with high-quality items that can be used with numerous outfits. To build a basic capsule wardrobe where everything goes with everything, you really only need three pairs of pants, a skirt, a few shirts, and a few sweaters that go nicely together.
Overall, it’s a pretty rewarding thing to be joining the slow fashion movement by creating a sustainable wardrobe. It all starts with being a little more mindful about what you buy from the fashion industry and the way you interact with the clothing you allow into your wardrobe. Not only does it make deciding to wear much easier when you already know which outfits go together, your planet and the people whose lives will change when companies realize we won’t support poor labor practices will thank you.
