Any fashionista would love having more clothes than one person will ever need in their lifetime. But since the fashion industry is in the hot seat right now for being the second biggest contributor to pollution, it may be time to reevaluate our choices. Why be fashionable when you can also be sustainable. But, how can you be both?
Sustainable Is The New Fashionable
Fortunately, being confronted with the bitter truth that the fashion industry is destroying our planet didn’t make most major fashion brands evade accountability. 32 fashion brands agreed and signed a pact to be greener and reduce the industry’s negative environmental impact. Hats off to these labels like H&M, Gap, Burberry, Chanel, and more.
So, if these big fashion brands could take a step into becoming greener and sustainable, so can you. Here are some simple things you can do to start your journey into being sustainably fashionable:
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Do the 30 Wears Test.
So, whenever you want to buy a new dress from Zara, H&M, or any brand, you have to ask yourself first, “Will I wear this for a minimum of 30 times?” If you answered yes, then you get a pass, and you can buy it. But, if your answer is no, you know what to do; don’t buy it. No matter how much you like it, it’s not worth it.
The 30 Wears Test is a part of the #30Wears Campaign that Livia Firth, the brainchild behind Eco Age. Her campaign reminded us not to give in to impulsive buying; we should only buy the things we need. If you see something you like, but you know you will only wear it on one occasion, then it’s not worth it. You’re only wasting your money, and you’re also contributing to a pile of clothes that would end up in a landfill. Pick something you can wear many times.
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Support small and eco-friendly businesses.
In your area, many businesses should do all kinds of sustainable clothes made with recycled fabrics or screen printed using an eco-friendly dye. These are businesses that need your purchase as they’re not part of the fast fashion trend, and they’re also making an effort to create products with lesser negative impacts on the environment.
Another you can be sustainable and supportive of local businesses is to buy vintage or secondhand clothes. This option gives these clothes a second life and negates the carbon footprint attached to manufacturing a new piece of clothing.
Lastly, you can also look into renting clothes. If you really need something unique for an important occasion, you can rent the dress you need for it. There’s no need to buy something you will only use once. By renting, you can save money and also save the world.
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Donate the clothes you don’t use anymore.
We’ve all had some impulse buys; we thought we liked those clothes but only wore them a couple of times. That’s okay because you didn’t know about the 30 Wears Test then. But, instead of just ignoring them in the corner of the wardrobe or throwing them away, you should consider donating them. By doing this, you are also encouraging other people not to buy more clothes as well. It’s like a cycle of sustainability. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
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Choose quality clothes.
Another significant contributor to waste is fast fashion, so avoid buying cheap clothes that will not last as much as possible. Invest in something a little pricier but has good quality. You might think that you’re spending more, but in the bigger picture, you’re actually saving money because you can wear the same clothes over and over again without them getting easily damaged or tattered. Remember: quality matters more than quantity.
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Learn to repair your clothes.
Even quality clothes can have a sleeve or a pocket that will get ripped after a few wears and washes, but that’s not a sign for you to throw that piece of clothing or stop using it. Repairing your clothes can be easy. If you think it’s too complicated, you can also have a tailor repair it.
To A Sustainably Fashionable Future
You see, even your smallest actions or non-actions can make a massive difference in the grand scheme of things. Please don’t wait for the next season of fashion to do it; start now. Act now. Change your attitudes and perspective towards fashion and shopping, and our future will change too. Cheers to a sustainably Fashionable Future
