It’s more important than ever that we all think about our impact on the natural world, and that includes the clothes that we buy. By making smart, eco-friendly decisions, we can all do our bit to minimize the impact our buying choices have on the natural world and encourage more brands to adopt earth-friendly practices.
Happily, it’s never been easier to have an eco-friendly wardrobe. With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to put together a bunch of tips that anyone can follow. The end result? A wardrobe that has you looking fantastic yet which also puts a smile on the earth’s face.
Buy Less
You’ll have a much better impact on the earth if you buy fewer items. That applies to all types of products, including clothing. While we’re pushed to consume more, more, more, the fact is that the more we buy, the more harm we do to the planet.
Buying less doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great wardrobe. In fact, the opposite is true. By buying fewer, but better quality clothing, you’ll have items that look better and which last the distance. A $20 item might be cheap, yes, but it’ll also likely be unwearable in a month or two. A $100 item, on the other hand, will look better and will still have pride of place in your wardrobe several years down the line.
Hit the Second-Hand Markets
Looking for an easy, fun, and trendy way to give your wardrobe an update? Then hit the second-hand markets. Buying pre-owned clothes is a great way to reduce your impact on the earth’s resources, since, well, they don’t require any additional resources!
It can take a little work to find second-hand items that you love, but the payoff is worth the time and energy that you put into it. There’s a special buzz that comes from finally coming across an item that you love, and the fact that the cost of the item will be greatly reduced from what it would have cost if it were a new item makes it all the more enjoyable. Even the smallest cities have a few second-hand clothing stores, so head on down and see what you can find.
Buy From Eco-Conscious Brands
There’s no shortage of places to buy clothing, but they’re not all created equal. Some of them show no care for the environment whatsoever, while others do everything they can to ensure that their impact is as light as possible. You should buy from the latter. Clothes from sustainable brands aren’t only much, much better for the environment, either. Since they’re manufactured using quality materials, they typically look better and last much longer, too. In this day and age, there are eco-friendly options for virtually every type of clothing item you’d buy, including sweatshirts, underwear, and footwear. Plus, by giving your money to these types of businesses rather than fast-fashion brands, you’ll be encouraging more brands to adopt earth-friendly practices. Remember: which businesses you decide to give your money to is one of the best ways to have a positive impact on the world.
Rent, Don’t Buy
The idea of renting clothing can seem strange, but let’s get one thing clear: we’re not talking about the essential clothes that you’ll wear every day. No, we’re talking about those occasional clothing items that you only wear once a year — or perhaps even less. It’s much more eco-friendly to rent a dress for a wedding you have to go through, rather than buying it outright. Plus, aside from being better for the environment, this approach is better for your wallet and your wardrobe space, too.
If you already have a long list of expensive dresses that you bought but rarely wear, then you can also consider renting them yourself to other people. This is a great way to get full use of the items that you only wear on occasion, and over time, you might even recoup some of the money that you spent to buy it initially.
Don’t Choose Express Shipping
Buying online? Then look at selecting a slower shipping method for the item. It can be tempting to pay extra to get the item delivered the very next day, but in doing so, you’ll be putting pressure on the seller to get the item to you as quickly as humanly possible — and that option is never good for the planet. By opting for a slower shipping method, you’ll give the shipping company the chance to figure out the most fuel-efficient route to your front door. Also, whenever possible, look at bundling your online orders together. It’ll mean that only one journey is required, and there’ll be less packaging required.
Look at Sustainable Fabrics
When in doubt about which items to buy, look at ones that are made using sustainable fabrics. Some materials require more energy to produce than others. For example, virgin synthetic fibers are hugely damaging to the planet since they’re made using fossil fuels. Organic cotton, on the other hand, uses less energy and water than farmed cotton, and they’re also much more gentle for the soil. Plus, these sustainable fabrics usually score highly for comfort, too.
Look After Your Clothes
Your wardrobe will be much better for the planet if your clothes last for as long as possible. Think about it: if all of your items only last six months, then you’ll have to replace them every six months — and that’s not good for the earth. If they last for years, then the time in between purchases will be as long as possible.
As ever, what’s good for the earth is also good for your wallet. It’s recommended to take the time to understand the materials of your clothes and read up on how best to care for them. With a little bit of work, you can ensure that your pristine item looks just as good several years down the line as it does on the first day that you buy it.
Avoid Overwashing
There are good reasons to avoid overwashing your clothes. For one thing, fewer washes means you’ll use less energy. It’ll also cut down on your energy bills and your clothes will last longer; there’s an upper limit to how many washes an item can take before it begins to break down.
There’s no hard and fast rule for how frequently you should wash your clothes, but it’s best to get at least a few washes out of them before you throw them in the wash. According to the French, you should even wear your gym clothes three times before washing! Remember that a slight smell isn’t the end of the world, and it also doesn’t mean that the item is unhygienic.
Upcycle Old Clothing
Have a favorite item of clothing that is beginning to show signs of wear and tear? Don’t automatically assume that its days are numbered. With a little bit of work, you can not only bring it back to life but essentially turn it into a new item. There are a bunch of upcycling projects that anyone with a little bit of time and patience can undertake right from the comfort of their own home.
Not only will you be developing your crafts skills, but you’ll also come up with a new and unique piece that’s a great conversation starter. There’s nothing quite like being complimented on an item of clothing you’re wearing and having the option to say, ‘actually, I (mostly) made this myself.’
Donate Old Pieces
If you’ve got clothes that still look good but which you’re no longer wearing, either because they no longer fit you or you’ve simply moved onto a new style, then take a look at donating them to a charity shop. This is an excellent way to ensure the lifespan of your clothing is as long as possible, and who knows — the item that you’ve loved for many years might just take pride of place in someone else’s wardrobe, too.
Eco-Friendly Washing and Drying
We mentioned above about the importance of overwashing your clothes. But of course, you’ll still need to wash your clothes sometimes. When you do, look at taking the most eco-friendly option available to you. If you can’t face the prospect of washing your clothes by hand (we get it!), then opt for using the cold water setting on your washer. It’s much more environmentally friendly than using hot water. And for the drying? Hang them outside on a sunny day. Not only does it require no energy, but it’s effective and can even boost the smell of the clothing too.
Plan Your Purchases
Finally, look at taking a conscious approach to buying clothes. While it can be tempting to buy an item on an impulse, the chances that you end up regretting the purchase — or at least not loving it as much as you thought — is pretty high. It’s better to hit the shops with a clear idea of what you want.