We’d all like to dress more mindfully, and in order to reverse some of the shocking statistics about clothing waste, we need to be more mindful of what we buy. However, because there are so many complexities, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to making our wardrobes more sustainable.
When fashionable clothing is so inexpensive, it is easy to fill virtual shopping carts just for the sake of the purchase. However, this excess mentality has resulted in mass overproduction and a clothing waste crisis. Ultimately, any item of clothing that you discard will end up in a landfill because the technological solutions to do something different with it are simply not at scale yet.
Less than 1% of all clothing material is ever recycled into new garments. And only a small percentage of the clothes we donate to charities are resold in stores. Much of what doesn’t sell is shipped in bulk and sold abroad.
The costs of fast fashion are enormous for the environment and the people who make clothes. The fashion industry consumes approximately 79 trillion liters of water each year and then discards 92 million tons of waste. Factory workers are frequently underpaid and work in hazardous conditions to produce clothing so quickly and affordably.
There are, however, small changes that step in the right direction, from what to look for on clothing labels to how to wash your clothes. If you want to start making your wardrobe more thoughtful, you should know what the fashion equivalent of buying a reusable bottle and using metal straws is.
Here are some ways to commit to sustainable fashion:
Shop Secondhand
Buying at local thrift stores lets you inspect and try on a garment before purchasing it, which is always a plus when shopping secondhand. However, if you require a broader selection, there are several fashion-focused websites where you can shop for used clothing.
Some online consignment stores accept clothing donations or sell them on customers’ behalf. Some stores sell high-end designer clothing, shoes, and bags, as well as other categories like jewelry and home goods.
Additionally, peer-to-peer platforms enable you to purchase clothing from individual users. While these platforms eliminate the middleman, most items can only be returned if they are not as described, so it is critical to be a savvy shopper. Before purchasing a garment, inquire about its condition, if there are any flaws, such as rips or stains, and request measurements to ensure proper fit.
Wash Clothes Sparingly
Here’s an excuse to put off doing laundry for a little longer. We’re all guilty of tossing things into the laundry basket because we don’t know where else to put them. Then we end up washing a lot of things that didn’t really need to be washed. Things like jeans, trousers, and a variety of shirts and sweaters don’t need to be washed after one wear.
When it comes time to do laundry, use eco-friendly laundry products to make your routine even more sustainable. Use the soak cycle if your washing machine has one. The soak cycle allows the detergent to work without tossing the clothes around much if at all, resulting in less wear and tear on the clothes.
To reduce rubbing between clothes, do not overload the washing machine. Utilize mesh bags to protect delicate fabrics from other clothing and the drum’s metal surfaces. Turn dark and colorful clothing inside out to reduce color fading. Reduce your use of bleach, even color-safe bleach. They will all gradually lose color and begin to break down fibers, weakening the fabric.
Finally, air-drying clothes reduce shrinkage and fabric wear. When using a dryer, use a low temperature and agitation settings, and don’t overload the dryer as you would a washer.
Invest in Sustainable Styles of Clothing
Buy non-gender-specific clothing. Many of today’s fashions are not gendered. They also have the added benefit of being more easily re-used as hand-me-downs within the family or among friends. Clothing is frequently discarded before it has worn out in many cases.
Choosing a more traditional style is also beneficial. One of the primary reasons we purchase new clothing is to ‘look stylish.’ Unfortunately, new fashion trends are frequently fleeting, and the garment is discarded before it has worn out.
There is also “traditional” style, which includes classic designs that never go out of style, and versatile designs that can be mixed and matched for a variety of occasions. Blazers, tweed jackets, jumpers, and loafers are all appropriate.
Buy traditional style for expensive garments that will last a long time. Purchase the most recent, trendy styles for less expensive items such as t-shirts, ties, and accessories. When fashion trends change, you’ll have the “look” without the “loss.” You can also adopt the capsule wardrobe philosophy, which combines high-quality clothing purchases with a streamlined, coordinated wardrobe.
Key Takeaway
Growing fibers for textiles, manufacturing of clothing, and even garment care and maintenance all have an impact on the environment. While voting with your wallet can help put pressure on fashion brands to act more sustainably, shoppers cannot save the planet on their own.
Continue making efforts to have a more eco-friendly wardrobe and influence others to do the same. This way, the action towards a better environment will be more impactful and productive.
