When it comes to your everyday style and sustainability, the first step is consuming more intentionally. Think about the clothing and jewelry that you buy and the impact they have on the planet.
Buy quality pieces that you will wear often, rather than cheap and low-quality fast fashion and costume jewelry. Fill your wardrobe with clothes and accessories that you love and look after.
You can embrace sustainability while still being stylish. Here are some of the best ways to build a sustainable wardrobe that allows you to express your unique personal style.
Wardrobe Revolution: 6 Tips for Embracing Sustainability in Your Daily Style
Opt For Sustainable Materials
The vast majority of fast fashion pieces use polyester and other plastic blends. That means that these clothes will linger in landfills long after they are disposed of.
Rather opt for natural fibers like cotton and linen, as well as recycled fabric. These might be more expensive in the short run, but they tend to be higher quality and will last you longer.
And choosing sustainable materials isn’t always more expensive. It’s not only applicable to clothing. For example, when accessorizing you can get more environmentally friendly lab-grown diamonds for around half the price of traditional diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are also a more ethical choice. They don’t involve dangerous mining or the unethical labor practices of fast fashion pieces.
Buy Second-hand Pieces
The best way to embrace stylish sustainability is to primarily buy second-hand clothes and accessories. With the current rise in thrifting, there is a wealth of options when it comes to buying preloved pieces.
Shopping second-hand gives you a chance to find some really unique and interesting pieces, as well as classic basics.
Thrift stores and secondhand apps are also incredible places to find unique vintage jewelry items. This is a fantastic way to establish your personal style without blowing your budget.
By buying second-hand clothes you are extending the life of clothes that have already been bought. Making deliberate choices about your wardrobe is a simple but impactful step to having a more sustainable home and life.
Use Rental Platforms
Even if you have built an intentional wardrobe full of high-quality pieces, there will be certain occasions when you don’t have the right clothes or accessories. This is where clothing rental apps are incredibly useful.
There are several services where you can rent an outfit, including jewelry. This allows you to dress up for special occasions without having a wardrobe full of clothes you only wear a few times a year.
Another advantage of rental services is that it enables you to experiment more with your style without committing to a piece. This can be very helpful if you want to incorporate trendier items that you like without buying unnecessary clothes or jewelry.
Invest In Quality Multifunctional Pieces
A major part of building an intentional wardrobe is deliberately not choosing trendy items because they are trendy. These items will be popular for a season and then go out of style and be discarded.
Instead, invest in high-quality pieces that work across seasons and occasions. We often spend a lot of money on special occasion outfits, like a dress for a wedding.
But actually, it makes sense to spend more on everyday staples like jeans, shirts, and simple jewelry. A high-quality pair of timeless jeans can last you for years, especially if you look after them.
Shoes are another item where you should invest in quality shoes. They will be better for your feet, and also last longer. For example, a pair of genuine leather shoes will last longer than cheaper plastic-based shoes.
Look After Your Wardrobe
It is very easy to just throw clothes into the wash without looking at the care instructions. But if you want your clothes to last longer, you’ll need to look after them correctly. Proper care can extend the life of your clothes significantly.
This often means washing clothes at a lower heat, letting them air dry, hanging them correctly, and only washing them when necessary. Something as small as properly washing socks in cold water can make a big difference.
Another crucial aspect of sustainable style is repairing your clothes rather than replacing them. Often holes can be patched and old clothes can be given new life. However, our culture tends to see clothes as disposable, and many people don’t consider getting their clothes repaired.
You should also think about how you store your shoes and jewelry to protect them from sun and moisture. Consider finding a cobbler and a jeweler to keep your accessories looking great.
Deal With Old Clothes
If you have clothes and accessories that you no longer want, you may be able to sell them on secondhand clothing platforms. This is a great way of keeping items in circulation longer, reducing waste.
The other option for old clothes that are in good condition is donation programs. While there are some commercial donation programs, consider giving to small organizations and local charities to help your community.
Look into clothes recycling programs to dispose of clothing waste. Be sure to do your research and know exactly where your old clothes are going, because many clothes just end up sitting in landfills.
