On the nineth day of Christmas my true love sewed for me 9 stitches in my favourite summer T”
Fashion, fashion, fashion! We (almost) all wear clothes and what choose to wear makes a big difference. If you are still looking for that new year’s resolution for 2021, how about try adopting any of these 9 top tips for making your style more sustainable.
1) Do You Really Need It?
The simplest way to a sustainable wardrobe is less items that are used more. When looking for a new item, ask yourself whether you would wear it at least 30 times. No? Then save the cash in your pocket.
2) Shop Secondhand, Shop Vintage
Even today no clothing made from recycled materials is hard to come. At the end of the day, we simply need to temporarily halt or seriouly cut back the amount of clothing made using virgin materials. The great news – vintage and secondhand materials do not!
3) Look after your clothes
How you look after your clothes determines how long they last. Take pride in your style! This includes actions like washing your denim inside out.
4) Repair Your Clothes
Try to hold onto clothes as long as possible. If you find a rip, give sewing a go! Find a hole, well try patching them up. A little DIY job can often make you appreciate your clothing a lot more. Skill Share may have some tutorials for you. Worth asking on the group!
5) Question Where it is From
The fashion industry reports among the worse worker’s rights and has even been linked with slave labour. Take the initiative to check your brands and do not be afraid to ask questions at stores. Want some help? Check out Fashion Revolution, who began in response to the Rana Plaza disaster of 2013.
6) Wash Your Clothes Less
Surprising – washing our clothes accounts for a significant amount of a clothing items environmental impact. From the energy consumed by the washing machine to the microplastics that drain off in every spin, there are more reasons that one to wash less!
7) Look Out For More Environmentally Friendly Materials
The amount of clothes made with plastics or viscose (a material sourced via deforestation) is frightening! So for whatever reason you find the need to buy new, look out for organic, non-plastics based materials. Why not consider hemp, jute or soy silk-cashmere?
8) Buy Trans-Seasonal Clothes
As much as possible, shop or make items that can be worn across the seasons. Then you won’t need a whole wardrobe for summer and another for winter.
9) Donate or Swap Your Unwanted Clothes
Give your closet a declutter and downsize. But please do not bin them! That is the last thing we need. If there is no family to pass it on to or friends to swap with, seek out a local charity or reuse organisation. We are a part of St AndReuse, we can take it for you!
