Finding a balance between loving fashion and the effect it has on the environment is tricky. Try our 5 tips for sustainable wardrobe and contribute to saving the environment.
I love fashion, or better said clothes, but I’m also aware that the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter right after the oil industry. And while I find clothes and personal style to be an important way of expressing oneself, it is also important to think about our planet. Luckily there are more and more eco-friendly brands and buying sustainable options is now easier than just a decade ago.
Consumers are also more informed and demand to know how and where their garments are made. These are all steps in the right direction and hopefully, sustainability will be not just a trend, but everyone’s number one priority. I tried to find a way to wed my love of fashion with sustainability. It is still far from perfect, but I like to think that every step counts.
Incorporating these 5 simple tricks has been quite easy for me. I have lots of space for improvement, but I like to start with realistic expectations and build from there. If you have any tips that you find useful please do share and we’ll make sure to give it a try.
Buy less and invest in better quality
The very obvious thing is to try to consume less and invest in garments that will last longer. Think about quality and not quantity and try to resist indulging often in cheap fast fashion clothes that will have a short life cycle.
Go for second hand and vintage options
I personally love vintage as it’s a great way to find unique pieces. Also, when buying vintage you can find great quality pieces at much lower prices. Maybe clothes that used to belong to someone else are a big no for you, but you might find second-hand furniture or books to be a better fit. Buying vintage or second hand can be applied to anything, and it’s not only got for the environment but also for your budget.
Take care of your garments and repair instead of replacing
Expanding the life cycle of the garments you already own is also important. If we buy cheap clothes it also becomes easier for us to throw them away. This creates so much waste. Instead of throwing a piece away just because it lost a button, why not try repairing it? Or take it to a professional who can do it?
Swap, donate and recycle
If you don’t want to repair or keep some of your clothes there is still a lot of alternatives to throwing them away. Maybe you can do a clothes swap with your friends? Or donate some pieces to charity? Some of your items can also be sold to a new happy owner who’ll actually use them. And the textiles that are not in good shape to be used can be left for recycling at some shops. Check your local H&M or other stores nearby to see if they offer this option.
Wash less, with eco-friendly products and use special washing bags for synthetic fabrics
Another way that can contribute to pollution is the way we wash our clothes. Make sure not to wash unless it’s really needed and use eco-friendly detergents and washing cycles. Also, when you wash synthetic fibers the plastic microbes are released into the water and end up in seas and rivers. This can be prevented by using special washing bags.
