Sustainable fashion is a concept that has been very popular for years now but there are still so many questions about the topic and how everyone can incorporate it into their life. From the smallest action like the way you take care of your clothes to different ways that you can shop sustainably, it is the time to start taking action regarding what goes to landfill and pollutes our planet. That’s why we have enlisted a couple of things you can do from now on, to be more environmentally friendly without compromising your fashion looks.
About sustainable fashion.
The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter of our planet and even though we love most of its creations, the amount of waste that generates per year should really make us doubt if it is worth it for the world we live in.
Taking this into consideration, clothing brands have made different changes in their fabrication process so that their environmental impact is lower. By changing their fabrics, producing higher quality items, and even creating campaigns that motivate consumers to think deeply about what they shop for, the fashion world has been taking little steps in order to solve this problem.
Now, sustainable fashion is very different from ethical fashion. The first one mainly focuses on the ecological part of it and the second has more to do with labor conditions, so although it is preferable that companies practice both of them, it is not always the case and the final decision relies on the consumer as to whether it wants to buy sustainably, ethically or both.
Shopping sustainably
If you end up deciding that you want to shop more sustainably, there are a couple of things to need to have in mind while doing it.
Control impulse purchases: Always ask yourself why you want to buy that clothing piece and how many outfits you can pair it with. If the answer is because it’s trendy and it would look perfect with this one outfit that I’ve envisioned, then you should probably pass on that one.
Quality over quantity: Some people refuse to buy sustainable clothing because they think they are way too expensive, but it is better that you chose a single cardigan that you love and know you will use for years than constantly buying cheaper alternatives that go out of style and break after 5 uses.
Check the materials: Of course, it is preferable to buy clothes that are made of natural fabrics like cotton or silk, but you should also take into account that some of them need a lot of chemicals and water in order to be transformed into a piece of wearable fabric. So do your research and find out which materials are less harmful to the environment, either they are natural or man-made.
Try second hand: the best way in which we can assure that clothes are not thrown into landfills and we are reusing them is by shopping second-hand. Whether you have a thrift store nearby, you buy on online platforms like Facebook marketplace or just exchange clothes with friends and family, there are so many ways in which you can give another life to clothes that are in perfect condition but somebody doesn’t want them anymore.
Taking care of your clothes
The second step is actually taking care of your clothing items so that they last you and you don´t kill the environment in the process.
Rewear what is still clean: You don’t need to wash your clothes every single time you wear them unless it is necessary. If you just wore a t-shirt for an hour or your pants are still clean at the end of the day, try to reuse them one or two times more before throwing them into the washing machine. This will not only save some water and energy but will also maintain your clothes´ quality and color for longer.
Use cold water: Washing machines use a lot of energy in order to warm up the water and wash your clothes, so it is preferable to use only cold water for all the items that can be washed like that. Additionally, you could also use eco-friendly products to pour into the washing machine, but if not, try to save up as much energy as possible by using cold water.
Air dry: If you have the space and conditions to do it, choose to let your clothes air dry instead of throwing them into the dryer. That way you will save up some more energy and some of your clothes won’t shrink because of it.
Disposing
It’s ok to get rid of clothes that you no longer want, just make sure you do it responsibly.
Repair and repurpose: see if you can use those items in any other way. Whether you DIY them, sew them, or use them as cleaning cloths, prioritize repurposing and repairing them before tossing them.
Donate: if they are in good condition to be donated, then go ahead. See if any of your family or friends want it and if not, check donation centers so that your clothes can have a new life in someone else´s closet.
Recycle: if any of the above is possible, then leave them somewhere they can be recycled. Some brands like Zara or H&M have bins inside their stores so that you leave your clothes in relatively good conditions so that the fabric can be recycled. Don´t forget to check their requirements beforehand so that they actually receive your clothes.
Step by step, from shopping to disposing, it’s in our hands to make the change and these habits are not that difficult to follow. It’s just a matter of being more conscious of what we have and start acting towards taking care of the environment.
Photos from Pexels
