The world of ‘fashion’ has been around for centuries but the concept of having a sustainable wardrobe is almost brand new.
For millions of people, what they wear says something about who they are, whether it’s an official uniform, a national dress or a world-famous brand name.
Our identity is bound up in our clothes. Yet, for a growing number of consumers, the impact of their wardrobe choices on the planet is the biggest driver of what they buy.
So, how can you put together a sustainable wardrobe? As we’re about to explain, it involves more than buying a handful of timeless, classic pieces, but the results are definitely worth it.
A few fashion industry facts
The global fashion sector is worth around £1.3 trillion, and produces around 100 billion garments every year.
That works out to around 13 pieces of clothing every year for eight billion people!
As if it wasn’t obvious enough that we manufacture too many clothes, 92 million tonnes are sent to landfill every year.
Plastic makes up around 60% of the material used for clothes, yet just 20% of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling. Sustainable fashion wants to change that.
Creating a sustainable wardrobe would help reduce the amount of new clothing produced, as well as increase the amount that is reused and recycled.
How you do this breaks down into two categories: what clothes you buy, and caring for your sustainable clothing.
1: What you buy
Putting together your own sustainable wardrobe takes a little more work than traditional shopping. But, just like riding a bike, once you know how to get the best out of the slow fashion movement, you’ll never forget.
Sort out your wardrobe
First things first: it’s important to have a good clear out. Create three distinct piles: keep, resell and donate.
As you go through the items in your wardrobe, take the time to really think about what each garment means to you. Does it have a sentimental connection? Does it make you feel like a million dollars when you wear it? Or do you keep it because one day you’ll fit back into it?
When you have your three piles, double check the resell and donate ones again to make sure you haven’t accidentally thrown something you want to keep.
Bag those two piles up, put the keep pile back in the wardrobe and move on to stage two.
Finding sustainable brands
The internet has made building a sustainable wardrobe so much easier, because it’s given maximum visibility to a variety of sustainable brands, like ours.
As well as reading the information on their websites, social media can also be a great way to find out what other buyers think of sustainable fashion brands.
It’s also a good time to ask questions about the brand’s environmental impact:
- Do they use sustainable fabrics or synthetic materials?
- Are their practises ethical?
- How do they compensate for a big carbon footprint?
- How much of their packaging is recycled and recyclable?
Prioritise quality
Fashion brands churn out vast numbers of new clothes for the High Street but much of it is cheap and of poor quality.
Dressing sustainably means shopping for good quality clothes that go beyond style. They should stand the test of time without needing expensive dry cleaning. We’ll look at maintenance in more depth a little later.
While the market for second hand clothes is booming and packed with bargains, it can be expensive to buy new garments that are sustainable.
There are several reasons for this, including the workers behind the clothing being paid a living wage, or the cost of materials.
Choosing to invest in one or two new, high quality items annually not only reduces your environmental impact, it means you’ll be stylish all year round.
Choose natural fabrics and organic materials
Modern clothing contains a vast range of chemicals, some of which are harmful to us and the environment.
From the formaldehyde-based resins that prevent fabrics from wrinkling and shrinking, and chromium used in fake leather products, to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, that make clothing stain or water-resistant.
Then there is the problem of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, which contribute to the microplastic pollution problem. Even mass-produced natural fabrics are sprayed with pesticides.
Try shopping for eco friendly, natural materials. Our range is made from 100% organic cotton, while linen, leather, wool, hemp and peace silk are also great fabrics.
Think beyond the seasons
It’s tempting to rush out to the High Street every season and grab the latest fast fashion goodies, but if you want to build a sustainable wardrobe, you must think differently when shopping.
What happens to the summer must-have top when the weather turns cold and grey? Where do all the items in this year’s trending colour go when the new shade comes in?
They most likely end up at the back of the drawer or wardrobe, forgotten and neglected.
The sustainable wardrobe works differently and much more efficiently. Instead of buying trend pieces, stick to classic items that have real longevity.
A good quality pair of jeans that pairs effortlessly all year round with a plan or patterned top, heels or flats and a well-cut coat has several benefits:
- You don’t have to replace things as often
- You will feel amazing no matter the season
- The negative impact on the environment is reduced
Apply the ‘30 wears’ rule
Many people only wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. It’s worth keeping that statistic in mind when you shop for sustainable pieces.
No matter how alluring a garment may be, one simple question can help prevent your wardrobe from overflowing with eco friendly pieces (and missing the point of a sustainable closet):
“Will I wear it at least 30 times?”
For a great pair of shoes, a beautiful and practical blouse or a quality pair of trousers, the answer will most likely be a yes.
If your reply is a no, then even if the item is from a sustainable fashion brand, it falls into the ‘more clothes than you need’ category.
The 30 wears rule is a great way to cut down on impulse buying when you shop. You may even have more money to spend on timeless pieces that will go the distance.
Change your fashion attitude
It takes time to create a sustainable wardrobe, but more and more consumers are flocking to slow fashion brands because of their sustainable benefits.
It’s not just new clothes firms helping people breathe new life into their wardrobes without harming the planet, either.
Designer brands have been quick to capitalise on the second-hand clothing trend. However, it’s worth remembering reusing clothes is just one part of a much bigger problem.
From energy and water consumption to landfill waste, the fast fashion industry is a major contributor to climate change.
Some of the world’s most well-known brands are also highly unethical in the way they deal with workers, or source their materials.
Fixing this won’t happen overnight, but changing our clothes shopping habits by seeking out and investing in sustainable clothing brands like ours is a great start.
2: Caring for your sustainable fashion
The biggest trick fast fashion ever pulled off was to convince consumers their clothes are convenient by being easily replaceable.
Now we know what that is doing to the planet, a sustainable wardrobe looks a lot more attractive. Buying great-quality clothing is only the first step: now you have to help make it last.
Read the washing instructions
Creating your personal style with a sustainable wardrobe means paying attention to the details, right down to care instructions for how to wash clothes.
How many of us separate everything into lights and darks when washing clothes, before shoving them into the machine and using the same temperature setting, week in, week out?
If you’re spending a little more on a better quality, ethical wardrobe, it’s crucial to read the labels on every garment.
If one of your timeless pieces requires a bit more care, such as hand washing or even dry cleaning, it’s in your interest to follow those instructions.
Wherever possible, try to avoid using chemical detergents to wash clothes and dry them outside, rather than using energy-intensive tumble drying.
Paying attention to the labels on your clothes will help them stay looking gorgeous for longer.
Repair your clothes
You might not think skills like sewing on a button or sorting out a drooping hem have a place in the 21st century, but they are essential to a sustainable wardrobe.
Fast fashion has focused on style over substance: we believe it’s far easier to replace our clothes than repair them.
Clothes from a sustainable label are often better quality but they too can be susceptible to wear and tear, especially if you’ve sailed past 30 wears.
If you don’t trust your own sewing skills, it’s worth tracking down a community repair shop near you or finding a local tailor.
In their hands, your clothes stay as good as new, extending their time in your sustainable wardrobe.
Donate or sell your clothes
Even the most stylish sustainable wardrobe needs refreshing from time to time, but your unwanted clothes could be style heaven for someone else.
Depending on the item, you can choose to sell it online and make some extra bucks. It’s another reason to take proper care of your clothes, especially if they are designer or vintage pieces.
You can also donate old clothes to your nearest charity shop or community centre jumble sale. Passing on your style could help introduce someone else to clothing sustainability.
Use clothing rental services
Shopping for a special occasion outfit can be great fun, but when it comes to sustainability, not so much.
Buying the perfect dress for a friend’s wedding that never sees the light of day afterward; finding a new bag to complete an outfit before throwing it in the back of the wardrobe; splashing out on expensive ski gear then never hitting the slopes again.
It’s such a waste of money, and can make us feel guilty because it’s unsustainable in almost every way. Luckily, there is a solution: clothes rental services.
You can choose from businesses that specialise in clothing hire or individuals offering to rent their garments on social media: both are a sustainable option.
No more cluttering up your sustainable wardrobe with unwanted clothes, no more adding to landfill or the fast fashion machine.
The benefits of clothing sustainability
Apart from helping us look amazing and reducing our impact on the planet, there’s another benefit to be enjoyed from clothing sustainability: it changes the way we spend our money.
Instead of thinking: “I could never spend that much on a jacket”, think of the value it would bring to your life. How many times will you wear it, and will it make you feel amazing every time?
Instead of scrimping and saving up for a special occasions dress that’s likely going to be worn once, rent it. Look like a million dollars for the evening, then give it back and let someone else experience that feeling.
Our commitment to sustainability
As an eco friendly brand, our commitment to being sustainable has been baked in right from the start.
Our garments are all made from the same material: 100% organic cotton, with trimmings made from natural materials.
They are designed to minimise waste and are produced by small-scale factories that treat their workers fairly.
Every decision we made for our range of clothes was based on sustainability, not just cost of goods and profits.
Unlike many fast fashion brands, when it comes to a more sustainable future, our clothes offer both style and substance.
Shipping and returns
We aim to process every order within one working day. Once orders are processed, they will be handed over to Royal Mail for delivery.
FREE delivery applies to orders of £200 and over, delivered to mainland UK addresses and excludes remote areas. Full details can be found here.
We hope all our customers are delighted with their purchases, but if there is a problem, you can read our refund policy, as well as a step-by-step returns guide here.
Contact us
Want to discover more about our cotton stock or clothing lines? Have a question about the price of an item? We’d be delighted to help.
You can email us at help@aaweareeco.com, or fill in this contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.