How Sustainable Is Your Wardrobe?

As an industry which is programmed to sell us new, never before seen trends; sustainability and the traditional world of fashion do not go hand in hand. The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to the current climate crisis being responsible for 8% of manmade CO2 emissions in 2018, more than aviation and shipping combined. With 8 billion pieces of clothing in production every year, promoting sustainable fashion is now a priority. 

Of course it’s easier said than done, yet there are many ways that you can make an effort to reduce your reliance on fast fashion institutions. The primary step to creating a more sustainable wardrobe is to understand that less truly is more. We are conditioned to believe that we have to hop onto every new trend in order to be up to date with fashion. Where as in reality we need to ask ourselves, when the so-called “hype” fades will I still be wearing these pieces?  If the answer is no you could consider if it is really right to buy them in the first place: Yes that might mean deleting the slazenger skirt from your basket.

BUYING SECONDHAND CLOTHES:

The rise of online selling on platforms such as Depop, which allow you to filter shops, sizes to find whatever may suit you! However many depop sellers are accountable for the so-called “thrift-flipping” which not only causes buyers to pay much more for items than they are retailed for, but also takes clothes away from those who need them more! To avoid the higher price tags that often come with depop sellers and vintage shops, there are options to check out local charity and thrift shops! This not only supports local businesses but often lets you snag “vintage” pieces at a fraction of the price! 

Donating clothes or selling them online if you no longer want them is also a much better option than throwing them away!! 

UPCYCLING:

If you’re one of the lucky ones who already know how to sew, why put your skills to waste? And what’s a better time to learn how to than quarantine? Upcycling old clothes is an effective way to reduce waste as well as adding a new lease of life to your wardrobe!  

HERE'S SOME BRANDS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY:

• Lucy & Yak

• Hundred club

• TWOTHIRDS

• House Of Sunny 

• SZ Blockprints 

• Reformation

• Madewell

GOOD ON YOU:

The website “good on you” (https://goodonyou.eco) evaluates the sustainability of brands and allows you to search to see how environmentally friendly brands are, which is incredibly helpful in order to make informed decisions about where to shop! 

INFLUENCERS WHO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY:

Nayna Florence (@naynaflorence) 

Moya Whinney (@moyamawhinney) 

Caitlin Kleineberg (@caitlinkleineberg) 

Caitlin De Burca (@caitlindeburca)

Lauren Singer (@trashisfortossers)

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Written By Charlotte Todd