Many of us are becoming more conscious of our environmental footprint and one simple way to protect the environment is being more considerate of where our clothes come from and how long we keep them for. Wearing an outfit once then throwing it away is very expensive and it is also damaging to the environment, so we are here to introduce things you should consider when shopping to make your wardrobe more sustainable!
1. Will I Wear This More Than 30 Times?
Before you buy a piece of clothing, ask yourself whether you will wear it more than 30 times. If the answer to this question is no, you shouldn’t buy it, as sustainable shopping is all about finding something that you will wear for years. You might have a few exceptions, for example fancy dresses you only wear once a year, but just make sure you buy something that won’t go out of fashion.
When picking out clothes, try to go for diverse pieces that will look different depending on how you wear it. For example, a mens full tracksuit could be worn on its own, or you could take the hoodie and wear it with shorts, and the joggers and wear them with a t-shirt, and you have three completely different outfits.
This will save you plenty of money whilst also helping to make your wardrobe more sustainable.
2. How Was This Made?
It can be very difficult to know exactly where our clothes come from, however you should do your best to learn as much as you can about the supply chain of the company you are buying from. Most environmentally conscious companies will have a section on their website about their commitment to the environment and what they are doing to ensure that their materials and products are sourced both ethically and with the environment in mind.
Many fashion companies massively exploit workers all over the world and also resources, so you should look out for ethical alternatives that are recognised by sustainable clothing associations. Being considerate of where clothes come from, how they were made and also whether the production could have caused harm in some way, is crucial when creating a sustainable wardrobe.
3. Can I Wear This All Year Round?
Rather than having four different wardrobes for spring, summer, autumn and winter, you should aim to choose pieces you could wear all year round. This will ensure that each item will pass the 30 wears test and you will have more money to spend on good quality, sustainable clothes that will last you a decade rather than just for one season.
Look for classic dresses that can be worn with tights or sandals, good quality jeans that you could pair with a hoodie or a tank top and a plain tracksuit that can be mixed and matched for any weather.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable shopping is all about being considerate of where your products have come from. Asking yourself these questions before making a purchase will help you to achieve that! When it comes to getting rid of clothes, make sure you either donate them, sell them or give them to a scrapstore where they will be given another lease for life.