Making changes to how we produce, buy, use, and discard our clothing is fundamental to our global battle to reduce emissions and protect the environment. After all, according to Greenpeace ” Global emissions from textile production annually are more than the carbon footprint of international flights and shipping combined.” (2019). As individuals, we can collectively make change happen by adopting new habits, sharing our ideas, and using our decisions to effect change on a bigger scale.
If you’re on the cusp of making changes towards a more sustainable wardrobe, here’s our rundown of five simple things you can do to achieve it in 2023.
1. Wear more of what you already own.
This is a deceptively simple idea, but by extending the life of the clothing we already own by just 9 months, we can reduce the waste, water, and carbon footprint of those items by as much as 30%.
Most of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, and so 80% of our clothes do not get used very often. By exploring what that 20% is, we can start to understand more about what we love and wear a lot and figure out why we don’t wear the rest. Then take time to play around with what you don’t wear and if you really can’t accessorize or find a way of wearing it that you love, consider letting it go!
2. Repair and upcycle unworn items.
Often, we don’t wear something because a button has come off, the zipper has broken, or it just needs some minor alteration to make it fit better. There are numerous tailors in this region, so take the time to get organized and you will reap the benefits.
3. Buy less new and pick made to last pieces in natural fabrics.
If you’re cutting down your spending on new clothing, it’s a good idea to start with a list of what you actually need. Go through your wardrobe, and analyze why you are not wearing those trousers more often, maybe you only have one top to go with them etc. Then create a list of what additions you need for your wardrobe, to create more outfits.
Then when you’re in the changing room at the store trying something on, ask yourself these key questions:
Do I need it?
Can I think of at least three occasions when I might wear it?
Are there at least two other items in my wardrobe at home that this will go with?
Does it fit me well and is it comfortable?
Do I love it?
If you answer no to any of the above, then it’s not likely to make the cut as a coveted piece in your wardrobe and so might be better left in the shop.
If you are at the shops buying something new, it’s worth checking the label to see what it is made of. Polyester and other man-made fabrics take far longer to decompose than natural materials, so look out for cottons (organic if possible), linens and wool fabrics. If you can, go for the best you can afford on the assumption that made to last pieces made in classic styles will last a long time (and therefore have less carbon impact overall), rather than two or three cheaper items that won’t be seen next year.
4. Buy Pre-Loved whenever possible.
Pre-loved shopping is (in my humble opinion) the ultimate win-win shopping experience. We’re keeping clothes in the use cycle for longer, clearing clutter from one person’s wardrobe, and delivering a much-loved bargain addition to someone else’s. We all still need a new sense of our identity as we grow and evolve through life, but it doesn’t have to be new, just new to us!
Preloved clothes can be excellent quality, at great prices, and come with less of a fashion dictation meaning more freedom for you the buyer to pick colors and styles you love. And when you’re buying pieces from different brands, you are more likely to create an interesting and individual wardrobe for yourself.
By adopting one or all of these ideas, you can be working towards a much more sustainable wardrobe in 2023!
