As I talk more about items that I’m excited to re-wear, and try to emphasise making a shift to more conscious consumption, I wanted to talk a little about what sustainable fashion means to me. A little inspired by an article I read by Lucy Siegle, I started thinking about the life cycle of my clothing – perhaps the cornerstone of what a sustainable clothing item is for me.
And the reason I wanted to touch on this is because the definition of what it means to have a sustainable wardrobe or make sustainable fashion choices is going to be interpreted differently, depending on what we associate it with. So rather than focus on what sustainable fashion is, I’m going to talk about the elements I try to integrate into my closet so I can make more responsible choices.
Wearing Clothes for more than a Season
Going back to basics, this really is the place to start. New wardrobe additions shouldn’t be throw-away fashion items that you’re only going to wear for a season and be done with it. A new purchase should be intentional; something that you anticipate wearing for years to come, which is a huge driver behind my preference for classic silhouettes. It’s for this reason that I tend to avoid anything overly trend-based, as I want to get longevity out of each addition.
Of course, tastes and preferences will change over time as it evolves with any changes to your lifestyle. And sometimes, we just make a shopping mistake, and find ourselves with some items that didn’t mesh as well with our wardrobes or our personal style.
I think it was Elaine who got me thinking about how it is more sustainable to buy something from Zara and wear it 100 times, than it is to buy something from a brand like Elizabeth Suzann and only wear it once or twice. And while I’ll talk about this in a little more detail in my next point, it’s inspired the way that I look at my wardrobe, regardless of where the item came from.
It all goes back to intention, and why you’re choosing to purchase an item in the first place.
Supporting Ethical/Sustainable Brands
Perhaps the best way that I can be more responsible with my purchases is to support ethical or sustainable brands where I can. Brands like Everlane, Grana, RE/DONE, Girlfriend Collective and Organic Basics are some that top the list when I’m thinking about picking up wardrobe staples, because I know that these brands have made a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, and providing fair pay and safe working conditions for garment workers. And, it’s not even an exhaustive list, but a mere handful of brands that I know work for me.
While I won’t be able to satisfy all my wardrobe needs from these brands, it’s a good place to start. I’ve also been looking into brands that are strong advocates for the slow fashion movement. Naturally, these tend to be more expensive purchases, but it means that I’ll make a carefully considered choice if I decide to snap something up.
Choosing Natural or Recycled Materials First
Finally, sustainable fashion also means choosing natural or recycled materials first. I try to avoid polyester where I can (however I’m also aware it’s used in technical fabrics for drape etc), and buy clothing items in fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, cashmere, linen or tencel. I’m also really supportive of brands like Girlfriend Collective, who produce practical gym gear using materials from recycled plastic bottles.
What does sustainable fashion mean to you?
