Simple Strategies to Help You Transition to Sustainable Clothing. When it comes to making more ethical fashion choices, we all know that there’s more we can do. But sometimes the hardest part is knowing what we can do to help. Many of us find shopping for sustainable clothes daunting; can I still buy new clothes? Can I no longer follow fashion trends? Should I stop washing my dresses? Should I only wear clothes made from hemp? The simple answer is no.
The reality is that there are a number of easy, small changes that you can make which will make a huge difference to the environment, both ecologically and socially. Here are some simple ways you can embrace sustainable fashion:
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Wardrobe Swapping
You’ve spotted a new dress in a shop window, but do you really need it? Instead of purchasing a brand-new dress that you may only wear once, why not consider borrowing one of your friend’s beautiful dresses? You could even ask them if they want to swap items of their wardrobe with items in yours.
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Donate Unwanted Clothes
Donating clothes to charity shops is a brilliant way of making sure they’re used again. You could also consider donating them to retailers like H&M who will ensure the material is re-used to make new garments. Whatever you decide, at least you’ll know that your once loved garments won’t end up in landfill.
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Recycle or Reuse Your Clothes
Recycling old clothes doesn’t have to mean giving them to charity. Why not make a completely new piece of clothing using your old clothes? To make your own clothes you will need a tape measure, a needle and cotton and if possible a mannequin which you can use to pin and fit clothing. There are a variety of options of mannequins available to people wanting to design their own clothes. Bringing your old clothes up to date and back to life is a brilliant way to save the environment.
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Don’t Buy Clothes You Won’t Wear
Most of us are guilty of the odd impulse purchase or two. We often know when we buy something, whether we’ll wear it or not. Before making your next purchase, make sure you ask yourself the following questions first:
- How often will you wear it?
- Do you need it?
- Do you have any clothes which are similar?
- Does it match other items in my wardrobe?
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Shop Affordably and Consciously
Ethically produced clothes don’t have to cost the earth. Many businesses now produce clothes made from sustainable materials. Some examples of this include organic silk jackets, high neck blouses made with Tencel and recycled polyester dresses, and all of these items can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Another brilliant way to save money and the environment is to shop in thrift stores. Instead of shopping at large brand shops, you can find the same or similar items for less than half the price, plus you know that you’re shopping sustainably instead of supporting brands that are unethical. Thrift store prices are often extremely reasonable, particularly considering you’re often able to find a designer or high-end items.
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Take Care of Your Clothes
If you take better care of your clothes, you won’t need to buy new ones as often. Try reducing the heat of your washing machine and leave your clothes to dry naturally instead of using a tumble dryer, or even better still, try to wear your clothes for more than one day before washing them.
If your clothes are stained, then apply some vinegar to them. Not only is vinegar a brilliant stain remover on fabrics like suede and leather, but it’s much more eco-friendly than the alternatives.
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Knowledge is Key
Brands who aren’t transparent about where their clothes have come from or what they are made of often have something to hide. Finding out information and researching the shops before you make a purchase can help you make sure you’re doing your bit.
When it comes to making more ethical fashion choices, we know that there’s a lot more we could all do, but sometimes it hard knowing where to start. Follow some of these top tips and you’ll be well on your way to embracing sustainable fashion.