Ways to Make Your Fashion Choices Greener

Posted by Jade Anderson on July 24th, 2019

With the increase in concern over the environment, more people are aware of the importance of sustainable practices when it comes to shopping for fashion. Many individuals want to make changes, but with the overwhelming number of fashion brands both online and in-store, it can be hard to know where to start. To create ease, here are our top ways to make your fashion choices greener.

Eco-friendly Fibres

One way to decrease your impact on the environment is to invest in clothing items that are made with eco-friendly fibres. Look for items made with biodegradable materials or those that have high durability. Linen has been a popular material in fashion recently and it takes less energy and water to manufacture than cotton as it is made from flax. It is easily composted and can be found in many stores due to the growing popularity of the material for playsuits, pants and shirts. Other great materials for the environment are bamboo as there are no pesticides, as well as silk as it is durable. Avoid materials like polyester and nylon, as these are non-biodegradable materials. Do not forget to look at the packaging materials of clothes too, especially for online stores, as brands that use large amounts of plastic wrapping are harmful to the environment.

Rent & Swap Clothes

According to Greenpeace, the average person today is buying 60% more items of clothing than the average person in 2000. This can be extremely problematic to the amount of landfill, as most products are not biodegradable. One way to avoid contributing to this is to rent clothes online from sites like The Volte, whereby the same item can be reused often. This is particularly useful for special events like weddings or formals, where the dress is often only worn once. Due to the popularity of Instagram, individuals do not want to post the same outfits, thus renting instead of continuously buying more clothing items is crucial to environmental protection. Swapping websites are also available online, or try swapping with your friends instead of throwing your clothes straight into landfill.

Thrift Stores

Another way to contribute positively to the environment is to buy clothes secondhand. Many individuals are able to find high-quality items for a fraction of the price. Some places have Instagram pages to show off their newest pieces which is helpful, however, there is an element of fun in looking through clothes which is great for a day out with friends. Many thrift stores are run by charities so it is nice to support a good cause at the same time as helping the environment. Remember that you can always crop, roll up and DIY some pieces you find to suit your personal style. Ladies, do not avoid the men's section; there can often be some great graphic shirts that you can crop, tie up, or wear as a t-shirt dress.

Clothing Care

Green choices are not limited to the clothes you buy, it also extends to how sustainably you care for them. When washing, use cold water and look for more organic washing detergents. Also, avoid the dryer by hanging clothes on the line as this uses up to 60% less energy,  and simultaneously, less wear and tear happens to the clothing pieces. For items that must be dry cleaned, ask around for a place that does not use perchloroethylene as it is a hazardous air pollutant.

Avoid Fast Fashion

Overall, it is best to avoid fast fashion stores altogether and instead invest in clothes for longevity. Think about what is going to last, and whether you will like the item in a few months. Buying just based on trends can be detrimental to the environment by increasing landfill when the trend wears off. It is important to buy fewer items that will go with many of your other clothing items, rather than massive numbers of pieces that can rarely be worn. For example, buying statement, high quality, plain pants that can be worn with many of your shirts would be more effective. Remember that if the item is really cheap, there is often a reason why; either it was made with poor materials or it was made unethically.

Whilst the impact of one person may be small, if more people started to incorporate these sustainable practices, huge differences can be made for the environment. Through finding alternatives to fast fashion, checking the materials your clothes are made from and looking after your clothing pieces more sustainably, you can achieve a greener wardrobe.