Discovering the concept of a sustainable wardrobe was a game-changer for me. I had no idea that the clothes we choose to wear could have such a significant impact on the environment.
Back in the day, I used to be all about those bargain deals. I’d snatch up sale items without a second thought, thinking I was scoring major savings. Little did I know, those “steals” were often the result of fast fashion practices – low-quality garments churned out in massive quantities, leaving a trail of pollution in their wake.
Those cheap finds didn’t last long either. They’d shrink, fade, or fall apart after just a few wears and washes. What I thought was a smart money-saving strategy turned out to be a waste of both money and resources.
It wasn’t until I took a closer look at my shopping habits that I realized the true cost of my choices. By investing a bit more in quality pieces, I could enjoy clothing that lasted for years, not just months. Plus, I’d be supporting brands that cared about the planet and the people making their clothes.
And let’s not forget about the care factor. When you spend more on your clothes, you tend to take better care of them. It’s a win-win – your wardrobe lasts longer, and you feel a deeper connection to your clothing.
That’s when I made the decision to shift towards a more sustainable wardrobe. It’s been a journey of learning and discovery, but I’ve found joy in making mindful choices that align with my values. And trust me, the planet (and my closet) are better off for it!
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Here are eight slow fashion tips to help you create a sustainable wardrobe.
1. Take care of your clothes
One of the most important parts about being more sustainable with your clothing is ensuring that you take care of every piece of clothing that you own.
By taking care of your clothing, you’re lengthening its life-cycle and ensuring that you’ll be able to make the most out of your clothes for as long as possible.
Start taking better care of the clothing you have in your wardrobe right now, and for all future pieces that you will own.
Follow the laundry instructions for each piece garment to ensure its longevity. You also want to make sure that you don’t over-wash certain pieces of clothing like jeans, that only need to be washed every couple of wears.
Read my post about ways to make clothes last longer for more tips on how to take care of your clothing.
2. Purchase good-quality clothing
Building a sustainable closet requires you to buy high-quality clothing that won’t deteriorate in a short amount of time. That means staying away from fast fashion.
Sometimes, buying high-quality clothing may cost you more than it would be compared to buying fast fashion brands.
However, the key difference here is that high-quality clothing lasts longer.
So you might pay more money upfront, but you’ll end up shopping less on clothes over time, which will save you money.
How to tell if clothing is good-quality:
- Clothing has spare buttons, which means the designer expects it to stand the test of time.
- Metal zippers instead of plastic zippers. Plastic is more prone to breakage.
- Quality stitching – check for any loose threads and stitches.
- Fabric patterns are neatly aligned.
- Do research on the brand.
3. Choose sustainable materials
Another way to create a sustainable wardrobe is by buying garments that are made from eco-friendly fabrics.
A sustainable material or fabric is grown naturally and/or organically and is made from natural materials such as wool, hemp, and organic cotton, just to name a few.
Consider buying an organic cotton clothing, or hemp underwear, or a wallet made from leaves.
There are other types of eco-friendly materials when it comes to making clothes, including fabrics made from recycled materials like recycled bottles or recycled polyester.
READ MORE: Amazing Sustainable Fashion Brands Saving the Planet.
4. Actually wear the clothes
When it comes to the clothes you purchase and/or allow into your life, you need to make sure that you actually wear them.
Chances are, you probably have multiple pieces of clothing hanging in your closet you haven’t worn in months, years, maybe ever.
When buying clothes, you want to make sure you’re buying something you absolutely love.
By creating an emotional connection with your clothes, you’ll be more inclined to take care of them and keep wearing them over and over again.
5. Shop secondhand
Buying vintage or secondhand clothing is one of the best options when creating a sustainable wardrobe.
Just because something was worn previously by another person, doesn’t mean it reached the end of its life cycle.
Oftentimes, you can find new pieces that are still in great condition and were only given up because the person no longer loved it anymore, or they outgrew it.
Thrift store shopping is a great way to find pieces of clothing in styles that you can probably no longer buy because it’s outdated, and you can get them at a hugely discounted price.
There are many reasons why you should start buying secondhand clothing, making it the perfect addition to any sustainable wardrobe.
If you don’t have a local thrift shop, check out these awesome online thrift stores where you can buy and even sell secondhand clothing.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Secondhand Clothing
6. Consider the garment’s next life
What you do with your clothes at the end of their life-cycle is also extremely important when creating an ethical wardrobe.
Once the clothing’s become too used or ruined, has outgrown you, or you’re just ready for a change, there are different actions that you can take to promote sustainability instead of throwing your well-loved clothes in the trash.
It’s important to remember that recycling your clothes doesn’t mean that they will actually be recycled. And when you simply throw your clothes away, they’ll end up in a landfill or incinerated.
When clothing is made with polyester, essentially plastic, it only adds to our growing plastic crisis.
Clothes in good condition can be given away to friends and family, donated to thrift stores or charities, repaired or even redesigned into new clothes.
If it is too long gone, you can use old clothing for painting around the house or use them as rags.
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.
You can have peace of mind knowing that the garment you’re wearing wasn’t shipped across the world in order to end up in your life.
Instead, it was produced locally with minimal environmental impact.
READ MORE: where to find local secondhand items for cheap or free.
8. Buy Less Clothes
Trends come and go at lightning speed, enticing us to fill our closets with the latest styles, but that’s not sustainable.
You should only buy clothes when you absolutely need them or you should be purchasing high-quality clothes that can be used in multiple outfits.
9. Build a Capsule Wardrobe
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, simplifying our closets can be a game-changer. Enter the concept of a capsule wardrobe—a curated collection of versatile, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched effortlessly.
Building a capsule wardrobe not only streamlines your morning routine but also contributes to a more sustainable wardrobe.
Embracing a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean sacrificing style or individuality; rather, it’s about embracing pieces that truly resonate with you and reflect your personal aesthetic.
Start by decluttering your closet and identifying key staples that you reach for time and again. Think classic pieces like a well-fitted blazer, a crisp white shirt, or a pair of tailored trousers that can seamlessly transition from day to night.
Final thoughts on creating a sustainable wardrobe
Remember that creating a sustainable wardrobe is a journey, not a destination. Start small, make gradual changes, and celebrate the progress you make towards a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to fashion.
In the end, it’s pretty simple joining the slow fashion movement by creating a sustainable wardrobe.
It all starts with being a little more mindful and eco-conscious about what you buy from the fashion industry and the way you interact with the clothing you allow into your closet.
Such small changes to our wardrobe and shopping habits will make our lives less cluttered and more fulfilling to ourselves personally, as well as the environment.
If you need some recommendations for slow fashion brands to shop from, check out my roundup of some of the best sustainable fashion brands.
One thing I love to do to be greener with my clothes is wash nearly all of them–not just the jeans–after at least two washes. I can fit two weeks of clothing in one standard-sized washer!
Good advice indeed. Simply stated and easy to understand. I love how you are encouraging mindfulness with clothing.
I’m glad you liked the post! Thanks for reading.
I love your blog! How long have you had it? I’ve read a lot about sustainable fashion, but this is one of the most well organized and clear posts I’ve come across!!
Hi Cloe, thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. This blog has only been around since about February so still fairly new! 🙂 Have a great day.
Love this post!
So glad to hear that! Thank you!