When you are looking to update your wardrobe, you may find yourself thinking about the new trends, the colors of the season, and the perfect fit. However, many shoppers are now taking sustainability into account when making their fashion choices. As awareness of the environmental impact of the apparel industry grows, sustainable fashion is gaining more attention among fashion-savvy shoppers. In this article, we’ll explore the different choices of eco-friendly clothing brands and practices available for those looking to take a more sustainable approach to fashion.
1. Modernizing the Wardrobe: Introducing Eco-Friendly Clothing
Dressing Up the Right Way: Reducing Waste with Eco-Friendly Clothing
As eco-awareness grows and eco-friendly options become more readily available, it’s no surprise that people want to stay on trend while caring for the environment. Whether you’re attending a wedding, a cocktail party or a black-tie dinner, you want to look your best while keeping energy and natural resources in mind.
Clothing with an eco-friendly focus helps us make choices that reduce environmental waste. Here are a few tips to help modernize your wardrobe with eco-friendly clothing:
- Search For Smart Fabrics – Look for clothing made from organic materials like linen, hemp or cotton. Natural fibers like these are grown using fewer pesticides and chemicals. Fabrics made without animal products are the most sustainable choice.
- Choose Sustainable Brands – Shop from brands focused on making quality clothing with an environmental focus. Research brands to look at their sustainability efforts and materials. Avoid clothing with harsh chemicals that are unsafe for the environment.
- Buy Used – Examine second-hand shops and consignment stores for great finds. Look for clothing that has been pre-loved and given a new lease on life. You can also find amazing second-hand pieces online.
- Repurpose or Upcycle – If you have clothes already taking up space in your closet, consider repurposing them by turning them into something new. Upcycling is also an option where you update an old item with updated colors or accessories.
- Wash Less – Washing your clothes uses a lot of energy and water, so try to limit how often you wash them. Be sure to store them in a place away from natural light and air, which can reduce fading and extend their life.
You can help the environment while looking your best with eco-friendly clothing. Select your wardrobe carefully and you can reduce waste, save energy, and help the environment all at once. With some smart choices, you can modernize your wardrobe and look amazing while staying eco-friendly.
2. Switching to Sustainable Fashion Brands
It’s no secret that the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to global warming. The clothes we wear can have a huge impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are many sustainable fashion brands popping up all over the world that are doing their part to reduce environmental impact.
The Benefits of Sustainable Fashion Brands
- Less waste – by utilizing sustainable and ethical practices, they often create pieces that last longer reducing waste.
- Less synthetic materials – synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic are among the worst offenders when it comes to environmental pollution.
- Rewards accountable companies – sustainability is rewarded, and companies are more likely to comply with standards if customers demand it.
If you’re looking to switch to sustainable fashion brands, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, look for certifications and responsible labeling information. If the company doesn’t have any certification, have a look at their website for information on their supply chain, factory and labor practices, and other environmental efforts.
Secondly, start with basics. Invest in timeless pieces that can be worn in different ways, like a shirt made from organic cotton or a pair of jeans made from recycled materials. These pieces are easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe and can provide you with good value for your money.
Thirdly, define your personal style. Identify the aesthetics you enjoy and brands that align with your personal style. This will help you find sustainable pieces that you love and can enjoy wearing for many years.
Making a Difference with Sustainable Fashion Brands
It’s true that sustainable fashion can still be expensive. However, the important thing to remember is that you’re making a difference. Every time you purchase from a sustainable brand, you’re helping to reduce the negative impact the fashion industry has on the environment.
3. Making Ethical Choices: How to Shop Mindfully
We all want to help the planet and make sure our purchases aren’t detrimental to the environment. But how do you shop mindfully? It’s easier than you may think! Here are three tips on how to shop ethically:
- Shop from sustainable brands. Look out for clothing brands that prioritize sustainability in their production processes. Seek out manufacturers and retailers who invest in renewable energy sources, limit their water usage, use environmentally-friendly materials and processes, and refrain from harmful manufacturing chemicals.
- Choose in-season produce. Choosing fruits and vegetables that are in-season locally helps to reduce the fossil fuels needed for transport and also ensures you’re getting the freshest produce for your meals. Not sure what’s in season where you live? Many local markets will post signs or have experts to answer questions.
- Do your research on big buys. Before making a major purchase, research both the item itself and the potential environmental and labor implications. For example, investing in a long-term purchase like furniture can reduce environmental waste and might make sense for your home—but make sure you know what type of materials it’s made with and if anyone is being treated unfairly in the production process.
You can also look for businesses with better labor practices and consciously choose to purchase from their products over those with unethical practices. Whenever you elect to buy from these companies, you are actively supporting ethical labor practices. It’s important to remember that ethical shopping doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive—avoid greenwashing and do your homework to make sure you are shopping consciously.
Shopping mindfully is a great first step in making sure your everyday purchases are neither damaging the planet nor harming others. It’s a simple focus that allows you to feel good about the things you purchase and look for greener alternatives over time. You can also let your purchases power positive change in the world!
4. Lead a Greener Lifestyle: Caring for Your Environment Through Fashion
It’s time to start thinking more sustainably when it comes to our wardrobes and style. While it may be difficult to cut out fast and cheap fashion entirely, there are small steps that you can take to lead a more ethical lifestyle.
1. Buy What You Need
- Start by taking stock of what you already have. Be honest about whether you actually need something new. You don’t always need to be seen in the latest trends.
- Focus on upgrading timeless pieces and put an end to impulse buying by having a strict shopping list before you hit the shops.
2. Get to Know Your Brands
- Research where and how the clothes you wear are made before you click ‘buy’. Where possible, opt for brands that are transparent and conscious about the materials and wages of the people who made your garments.
- Look for certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) to help you identify genuine organic materials.
- Invest in quality pieces because they tend to last longer, over time it is more cost effective to spend a little extra for long-lasting items.
3. Shop Second-Hand or Upcycle
- Hit the second-hand markets or vintage stores to discover unique and pre-loved items. Many unwanted pieces of clothing still have a lot of life left to them.
- Support smaller local businesses and charity shops, money spent will help to reduce the waste further down the line.
- Think of ways to add character and flair to an item before you discard it. Upcycling can be done anywhere with minimal effort. Try tie-dying an old t-shirt or reshaping a bag to create a completely new look.
If there is one thing we can all agree on, it is that sustainability should be a priority. When we make the conscious decision to choose eco-friendly clothing brands and practices, we no longer only make a statement with the clothing we wear, but a statement for the environmental and ethical wellbeing of our planet. Let’s continue this progress and make sustainable fashion the new normal.
