Curate a Sustainable Wardrobe in 5 Easy Steps

What Is Sustainable Fashion And Why Is It Important?

Sustainable fashion is centred around ethical industry practices that minimise harm to the environment and promote fair labour practices during the clothes-making process. Fast fashion has a devastating impact on the environment and labour practices, with 700 gallons of water being used to produce one cotton shirt, and 80% of clothing being made by young women of the ages 18 -24.

Sustainability in fashion is not just about how clothes are produced, but it's also about the entire lifecycle of the clothes you’re buying. There are so many new, better and more sustainable ways of creating and buying fashion that reduce wastage and help improve labour practices.

How To Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

So, now that you’ve been introduced to sustainable fashion, it's time to find out just how you can make your wardrobe more sustainable.

Stop Overconsumption!

Firstly, changing your approach to the way you shop has a huge impact on overconsumption. How? The fashion industry has created an unsustainable model where new collections are always dropping. Fast fashion brands are constantly flooding the market and you have more options than ever! Unfortunately, the use of resources like petroleum and hydrogen chloride to make these collections can ruin the environment further. We need to be mindful of how much we consume. It's worth taking the time to rediscover old items we fell in love with and give them a second chance by wearing them again.

Repair Before Replace

So there’s a rip in your leggings, or a hole in your top…why not grab the sewing kit and fix it up yourself? It can be tempting to dispose of clothing as soon as we spot a rip, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the clothes have exceeded their use. So, why not grab a needle and some thread and fix any damage to the clothing. Not only does this mean that you’ve given that piece of clothing a second life, but you can continue wearing your favourite pieces of clothing.

Try Second Hand Stores

Shopping at second-hand stores is a great way to discover new vintage items of clothing and save the planet. It’s estimated £140 million worth of clothes end up in the landfill each year, but buying from second-hand stores gives these items a second life by keeping them in circulation. A handful of stores like Depop and Vinted have a large catalogue of niche vintage pieces to choose from that can revamp your personal wardrobe. Other than this being a more sustainable alternative, it also gives you a chance to create more individual and authentic outfits for yourself.

Consume Consciously

You might be investing in brands that don’t align with your values and not even know it, which is why it’s important to consume consciously. Consuming consciously involves taking a moment to look into the organisations you are buying from. Do they produce clothing ethically? Do they pay their workers fair wages? It is always a good idea to find ethical fashion brands to do our shopping with. The more knowledge you have, the more informed you will be to make the right choice and support brands that are working to make the world a better place.

Reuse, Repurpose and Upcycle

Wait! Don’t throw your old clothes away! Instead, try repurposing them using upcycling techniques. Upcycling your clothes can not give you a whole new wardrobe, but also helps save money on buying new items. It is a great way to express your creativity and showcase your personal style by reimagining your old clothes to create a one-of-a-kind look. You can turn an old pair of jeans into a new handbag or maybe some old sweaters into a nice scarf. The great thing about this is that you have a world full of options, so why not try it.

Creating a sustainable wardrobe is not just great for the planet, it’s also an incredibly exciting and fun process, allowing you to unleash your creativity and try new styles!

Written By Onikepo Abudu