The Key to Sustainable Fashion: A Wardrobe You’re Happy With

A Sustainability Guide

The fashion industry is a major contributor to the climate crisis (read my blog post here to learn more about why). But there are ways you can make small changes to decrease your environmental footprint when it comes to your clothing choices. 

Follow these tips to start building a more sustainable closet!

1. Take stock of what's already in your closet before buying more.

I know I’m guilty of buying a shirt or some other item of clothing and just letting it sit in the back of my closet for a year before I even remember that I have it. Go back through your wardrobe and see what items you haven’t worn in a while. If it’s just because you forgot about it, try finding a way to incorporate it into your next outfit! If you just aren’t that into it, consider donating it or finding a way to recycle the fabric. 

2. Stick to one color palette.

One way to help curb clothes shopping is to find the colors you look best in and try to stick to those when buying something new or thrifting. This can help you avoid buying the same thing in multiple colors and make sure you always have outfits that go together so you can rewear items multiple times. I generally stick to neutral colors like black or tan and then add some pops of color here and there. This also helps when sorting through clothes at the thrift store. If you know what colors you like to wear, you can look for that on the rack and avoid going through everything.

3. Learn more about the brands you buy from.

I would be lying if I said everything I own comes from a sustainable brand or that I even know much about a lot of the brands in my closet, but this is something I’m trying to do better about. Try learning more about the companies you buy your clothes from - who is actually making the clothes? What are the clothes made from? Asking these questions can lead to more ethical and sustainable clothing choices.

4. Focus on quality, not quantity.

It’s very easy to get caught up in trends and want to keep buying more. That’s why fast fashion is so popular - you can get whatever the newest thing is for super cheap, wear it a few times, and then donate it or throw it out and move on to the next thing. Try to get out of this cycle and focus on buying clothes that are a little higher quality. This probably means more expensive, but in the long run if you’re buying less clothes it most likely evens out. For example, instead of buying a new, trendy jacket every year, use that money to buy one classic coat that you know you’ll wear for many years.

5. Learn to make simple repairs to your clothes.

I recently started sewing and trying to learn to make basic repairs like fixing rips or sewing back on buttons. Sewing takes a while to learn, but these types of repairs are usually pretty easy to get a hang of. This is a great way to lengthen the life of your clothes and avoid throwing something out because of a minor flaw that can be fixed.

6. Try a rental service to get clothes for vacations, weddings, or one time events.

Have you ever bought a dress specifically to wear to a wedding and then never wore it again? I know I have. I recently discovered Rent the Runway and I love the idea of being able to rent something for one event and then return it. Even for every day, a rental service gives you the chance to try trendier pieces without actually buying them and once you’re done, you can send it back for the next person to enjoy it!

7. Take better care of your clothes.

This is another way to make your clothes last longer that I only recently really started paying attention to. The tag on your clothing is there for a reason, and it tells you exactly how to wash and take care of it. Look up what the symbols on the tag mean - usually they are they to indicate how to wash them or at what temperature (Tide has a handy guide for these symbols here). Following these instructions and treating the fabric the way they are meant to be treated will keep your clothes lasting longer.

These small changes will help you make a difference and lessen your environmental impact.

I love fashion and expressing myself through my clothes, but I also care about the environment. These things don’t have to be mutually exclusive though. It's important to understand how the clothing industry is affecting our planet, but there are still plenty of ways to get creative with your outfits while also reducing waste and lessening your environmental footprint. Use these steps as a guide to start your sustainable fashion journey!