Sustainability and ethically-produced are two major buzzwords in the fashion world right now; and with good reason. The rampant rise of throwaway and “fast” fashion has meant that there are brands and factories that will cut corners, just to be able to provide a constant stream of clothing that is affordable, but the big question is, at what price? While I’m not perfect by any means, my growing awareness of the pitfalls of the fashion industry have been a driver in my push to shop consciously, sustainably, and ethically where possible, and I talked about the why of this in a recent blog post, which is well worth reading if you haven’t done so already.
Wearing Stella McCartney sweater (similar option here and I like this one), ASOS denim skirt (also love this), Everlane v pumps (these are cute), Seed netted bucket bag (luxe version here), Pandora earrings & rings
But making that shift can be overwhelming, especially if you’re used to the thrill of picking up a cute top for a bargain price. So, I wanted to share some of the ways that you can start shifting your mindset and making more conscious choices to shop ethically and sustainably, when adding to your wardrobe.
Buy Less
The most obvious option would be to shop less. If we’re only wearing 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time, the argument that you have nothing to wear doesn’t really hold up. Consider a shopping fast or trialling a temporary capsule wardrobe, and take the time to find joy and contentment with what you already have.
Think about Longevity
A $300 blouse that you are only ever going to wear once, is just as throwaway as one that you spent $30 on. Rather than buy something on impulse, let the potential purchase linger a while – whether it’s 24 hours or 30 days – before pulling the trigger. This gives you the time to take the emotional pull of buying the item out of the equation, while thinking about the purchase more rationally. A great metric is to consider how similar items have fared in your wardrobe; if they’re some of your most-loved garments, then the chances are that you’ll end up wearing it just as much.
Find Retailers who Champion Ethically-Produced and Sustainably-Made Products
Make better choices when it comes to shopping for your wardrobe, and opt for retailers who are leading the way when it comes to manufacturing clothing ethically and sustainably. A couple of my favourites include: Everlane (for everyday basics), Grana (for silk camisoles and pima cotton tees), Tradlands (for simply cut shirts and sweatshirts), Cuyana (for beautiful leather totes and cashmere sweaters), ABLE (for leather accessories), Organic Basics (for organic cotton underwear), RE/Done (for reworked denim), Reformation (for stylish clothing made with repurposed fabrics), Stella McCartney (for elevated basics and fashion-led designs) and Girlfriend Collective (for workout gear). What’s Your Legacy have a great directory with more than 250 brands that are championing the cause, making it a great place to start when researching new labels that suit your aesthetic.
Natural Fibres or Recycled Materials
Opt for clothing made out of natural fibres like silk, linen or cotton. Alternatively, low-impact man-made fabrics such as tencel, which is fabricated from wood cellulose (from eucalyptus!) and produced with a closed loop process, that recycles more than 95% of the chemicals used. Another great option is recycled materials; I’ve made efforts to reduce the amount of polyester in my wardrobe, but I think it’s great to see brands re-using this substance for technical fabrics, and you can wash these safely with a wash bag like the Guppy Friend.
Buy Pre-Loved
One of the most environmentally-friendly ways to shop sustainably is to buy pre-loved. This is something that I’ve been doing for years, as it’s a great way to give your wardrobe a refresh, and buy a high quality item at a more budget-friendly price point. And on the flipside, it’s also a great way to part with any clothing that you aren’t wearing, that is still in great condition. My favourite marketplace for buying pre-loved has to be The Real Real, and I’ve been buying from eBay for more than a decade now. If you’re based in Europe, Vestiare Collective is a great place to check out too.
Re-use and Repair
My final tip is to re-use and repair what you already have. I like to increase the longevity of my shoes by getting them resoled and repaired, which means that I can get a little more love out of some of my most worn shoes. Same goes for clothing – if I get a small tear or lose a button, I can usually repair this myself, but for anything that requires a little more work, I’ll happily take the garment to a tailor to have it repaired professionally.
