The fast fashion industry is polluting our world. Every year, millions of tons of clothing ends up in landfill. Plus, the production of these products uses huge amounts of water, energy, and harmful chemicals. Fast fashion’s emphasis on “newness” means we just consume too much clothing, period.
As a fashion designer, I obviously love the creativity of experimenting with personal style. But, it should not come at the expense of our environment. The good news is, it doesn’t have to.
So, what can you do about it? By embracing slow fashion, we can all work to reduce our environmental impact. Here are my 5 tips to build a capsule wardrobe that is actually sustainable:
5 Tips To Create A Sustainable Wardrobe:
Buy secondhand clothing
When you need new clothing, the best thing you can do for the environment is buying secondhand. Thrift stores, consignment shops, clothing swaps, and online resale platforms offer tons of high-quality, pre-loved items.
Plus, we need more people to shop secondhand. 84% of donated clothing still ends up in landfill because thrift stores just get so much unwanted clothes, they can’t sell it all.
Purchasing second hand extends the life of garments that would otherwise end up in landfill. It also reduces the demand for new garment production. Reducing production is necessary to create a circular fashion economy and reduce our environmental impact.
Support ethical brands
Buying second hand isn’t necessarily accessible to everyone. So, when you do buy new clothes, choose to support sustainable and ethical fashion brands who are transparent about their practices. Brands need to be transparent about their supply chains, material use, wages, and working conditions for their garment workers.
However, many shady brands know that consumers care about sustainable fashion brands. So, they use “greenwashing” tactics to get you to buy their clothes. You want to stay away from brands that do this, so look out for these tactics:
- vague claims about being “eco-friendly” without providing specific evidence or details
- lack of transparency about their supply chain, labor practices, and environmental impact
- misleading labels that say “natural” or “organic” without proper certification
- highlighting small, isolated “green initiatives” while ignoring their broader environmental impact
- overstating the environmental benefits of certain products without evidence
- focusing only on one aspect of sustainability while continuing harmful practices elsewhere
- launching limited “eco-friendly” collections, while the majority of their products remain unsustainable
- displaying fake or irrelevant eco-certifications
- claiming products are made from recycled materials when only a small percentage is actually recycled
- promoting carbon offsetting projects while not reducing actual emissions or harmful practices
Invest in fewer, timeless pieces
The key principle of building a sustainable capsule wardrobe is to consume less overall. Instead of chasing trends, build a collection of timeless, versatile pieces you can mix and match to create new outfits.
Invest in high-quality items you truly love and will wear for years. This reduces the frequency of purchases and minimizes waste. Sustainability is about making thoughtful choices and choosing quality over quantity.
Choose the most sustainable fabric for you
Choosing sustainable fabrics is not always straightforward. Most people won’t tell you this, but the truth is, there is no one “most sustainable fabric”.
Natural fibers like cotton, woll, and linen are biodegradable. However, production can involve a significant use of water and chemicals. They won’t stay in landfill forever, which is good, but the production process might not be good for the planet.
On the other hand, synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon tend to be more durable. This means you get more wear out of them and could have the garment for the rest of your life. But, if they end up in landfill, they will stay there for potentially hundreds of years.
The key here is to choose fabrics that align with your lifestyle and how you wear your clothes.
Mend the clothes you own
Remember this golden rule of sustainability: the most sustainable thing is the thing you already own. So, extending the life of your existing wardrobe is the most sustainable thing you can do.
Learn basic mending skills to repair small tears, replace buttons, and fix hems. These days, most people only go to tailors for special occasion garments like wedding dresses. It’s time to make tailors fashionable again. They can help with complex alterations on your everyday items like a pair of jeans or blouse.
By taking care of your clothing, you reduce the need to buy new items and keep your favorite pieces in rotation.
Conclusion: Building a sustainable wardrobe
Reducing waste and your carbon footprint doesn’t have to come at the cost of your personal style. By creating a sustainable capsule wardrobe, you can reduce your impact on the planet. Remember, small changes can lead to significant results.
Follow Nikki Brar’s fashion blog for more tips on personal style, fashion sustainability, and more.
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