The consensus is clear: The fashion industry is a significant contributor to global environmental issues. Whether the industry is polluting waters or clogging landfills, it’s hard to ignore its impact.
It’s also hard to ignore the increasing pressure on all of us to do our part to protect the planet. All small steps can eventually influence real change on government policies. Forming sustainable shopping habits can be a first step to reducing your own environmental footprint. By not striving to be perfect but implenting small changes, we can make a big difference.
1. Buy Less, Buy Better
The best thing you can do for the environment is to just buy less stuff or when we do buy, buy quality products. When we make the most of our clothes we lower the environmental impact.
A capsule wardrobe is a great solution where you opt for timeless pieces that are versatile and that can be easily mixed and matched, to make the most of fewer items. Buy quality pieces that last longer is also a great way to minimise consumption and waste.
2. Shop Vintage
Secondhand stores are the ultimate clothing recyclers and there are so many amazing vintage shops to choose from. There’s no doubt that there’s an overabundance of discarded clothing, so if you’re a shopping addict you can shop guilt-free.
When you buy secondhand, you’ll give new life to garments, which will help keep them out of landfills or from being shipped abroad.
3. Do Clothing Swaps
Thrift shopping isn’t your thing? Organise a clothing swap with some friends. You can easily swap clothes with some close friends and obtain new outfits at zero cost. Make an evening out of it and don’t hesitate to share everything from clothing to accessories. Look in your city for events where they clothing swaps and get a fresh wardrobe while exchanging your old pieces, a win win!
4. Upcycle!
Upcycling, which is different from recycling, is when you use discarded materials like clothes to create something even better than what it was.
The DIY movement offers tons of ideas and tutorials online for you to easily get started on your own upcycling journey. Check out our Couch to Coat collection, where we upcycled materials from unwanted couches to create one of a kind unique jackets!
5. Know Your Fabrics
Synthetic fibres are huge culprits of environmental pollution and hard to avoid, but a little bit of knowledge can take you a long way. The production of fabrics like polyester, acrylic and rayon are disastrous to the environment.
Fortunately, innovative and pioneering brands are developing new fabrics made with more sustainable methods. Polyester is being made of recycled water bottles and other post-consumer products, while Tencel® has been offered as an alternative to viscose rayon thanks to its closed-loop process that ensures no toxins are released into our waters.
As complicated as it can be, there are still small things that we can do to lessen your impact on the planet while still stay stylish and chic.
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