100 Ways to Embrace Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable fashion can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Read on for plenty of inspiration to help you easily embrace sustainable style.

100 ways to embrace sustainable fashion

• 1. Borrow Clothes—Husbands, siblings, parents, and children all have clothes and jewellery to borrow. Ask permission first!
• 2. Rent Clothes—Renting clothes used to be reserved for fancy occasions, but now more lending libraries are popping up daily.
• 3. When buying clothing, invest in pieces that will last more than one season. If a piece is super trendy, skip it.
• 4. Check Pinterest for different sustainable fashion ideas to wear what you already own.
• 5. Secondhand is for everyone. Buying secondhand clothes is a great way to find unique, high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost of new items.
• 6. Stick to a one-in, one-out rule.
• 7. Stay away from fabrics that require dry cleaning. They often use toxic chemicals.
• 8. Cut up old t-shirts to use as cleaning rags.
• 9. Buy Better. Clothes that are made well should last for years.
• 10. Buy from closed-loop brands such as Mud and Patagonia. Afterwards, return the clothes, and they will recycle them properly.

Use a garment differently

• 11. Use a garment you already own differently. Lingerie through the day over a t-shirt or an occasion dress can be styled with trainers to wear through the day.
• 12. Make sure you love it before you commit to buying.
• 13. Ask a friend to take photos of you wearing a garment so you can see it from all angles when in the changing room. And think about what you can pair it with from your wardrobe.
• 14. Stick to set shopping times of the year to discourage leisure buying. At the start of each season is perfect.
• 15. Find a reusable shopping tote in a design you love and take it whenever you leave the house.
• 16. Write a list of what you need and want before you leave the house.
• 17. Use accessories to update an outfit instead of buying new clothes.
• 18. Get inspired by sustainable fashion books, documentaries, and TED talks.
• 19. Keep clothes for longer.
• 20. Sort through your wardrobe and remove anything that you no longer wear. It is easier to see what you have to wear day to day.

Sell and donate

• 21. Sell what you no longer wear. If someone pays for it, they are more likely to use it.
• 22. Donate what you can’t sell to a charity shop, a clothing bin, or a thrift shop that takes old clothing.
• 23. Use a scarf or unused fabric as a pretty way to wrap gifts.
• 24. Buy from designers who use vintage fabrics with new designs. Charlotte Bialas has a beautiful collection to choose from.
• 25. Also, some designers use the end of roll fabrics that would otherwise be wasted.
• 26. Old socks can be used as house and car dusters – wash first, please! They can also be made into sock monkeys for kids or covers for your reusable cups.
• 27. If buying new, check if the company uses Repack, which is resealable packaging sent back to be used repeatedly. Or check if they use recyclable or compostable packing.
• 28. Old t-shirts can be made into tote bags. Here is a tutorial.
• 29. Buy clothing made from recycled elements, such as plastic bottles. This encourages companies and governments to continue recycling. Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable fashion brand that makes great yoga clothes from recycled plastic.

Buy less

• 30. Buy Less. Do you need it? Try waiting a bit longer; chances are you will forget about it.
• 31. Take shoes to the cobbler to extend their life.
• 32. Accessorise with naturally occurring materials. Sheppards Hook creates jewellery from old deer antlers found in the forest.
• 33. Vintage and handmade handkerchiefs can be found on Etsy and are much nicer than that wasteful old bit of tissue!
• 34. Nike Reuse A Shoe takes old athletic shoes and trainers and turns them into Nike Grind – a material used to create athletic surfaces.
• 35. Nowadays, lots of jewellery is made from recycled elements such as silver and gold. Here are ten recycled necklaces made in the UK.
• 36. Remember to waterproof your shoes. They will look better and last longer, meaning you won’t need to replace them as quickly.
• 37. Buy washing powder in bulk from a store or in cardboard. Make your own or try soap nuts for zero-waste laundry.
• 38. Hanging clothing out to dry is better for the environment and makes clothes smell fresh and clean.
• 39. If buying online, Buy clothing, jewellery, shoes, etc., from small sellers and ask them to pack it without plastic so you can recycle the packaging.

Wear natural 

• 40. Only wear natural fibres – synthetic fibres take a long time to decompose.
• 41. Learn to sew to make those minor repairs that cannot be avoided. Try a local class or watch YouTube videos, books, and blog posts.
• 42. Knit or crochet your winter jumpers. I love the patterns from Petite Knit.
• 43. Only wash clothing that needs to be cleaned.
• 44. Use a guppie bag to collect plastic particles from synthetic clothing. It gets into the oceans and causes havoc on the environment.
• 45. Protect shoes by adding protective soles and making them last longer even before they start to wear.
• 46. Products made from wood are better for the environment than plastic. I like Saya Hair for recycled wood root hair sticks.
• 47. Invest in quality shoes because they are easier to repair.
• 48. Buy your washing machine second-hand and try to invest in a quality one that will last longer.
• 49. Natural fabric dyes can be made from all sorts of fruit and veg to spruce up a garment.

Buy vintage fabrics

• 50. Check markets and online for vintage fabrics. You can use them to sew your clothes or to help repair clothing.
• 51. Talia Collins is a sustainable fashion brand that uses econyl, which is a recycled plastic, to create swimwear.
• 52. Monsak creates bags from leftover leather that would otherwise be wasted.
• 53. Ensure your clothes and shoes fit properly—you’re less likely to wear them if uncomfortable.
• 54. Take up a hem. Changing the hem on a top, skirt, or trousers can completely change the look of a garment.
• 55. Visible mending is a great way to mend an item in a new and interesting way. Pinterest has lots of inspiration for sustainable fashion.
• 56. Organise your shoes, clean them often and store them out of direct sunlight.
• 57. Upcycled leather is a great way to use what is already in the market. I love The Salvage Heart for earrings.
• 58. For that special item you don’t wear anymore but don’t want to get rid of, make it into a quilt.
• 59. Invest in clothing that can be worn in many different ways.

Embroidery

• 60. Embroidery can change clothing. Even a simple t-shirt can become exceptional if you take the time to embroider it.
• 61. Read the care label—The washing symbols can be confusing if you are not used to them, so click here for a guide. Checking the garment’s fabric is the first step in caring for it. The care label should give information about washing, drying, and ironing a garment.
• 62. Always sort laundry. Nothing will cause a white T-shirt to lose lustre as quickly as washing it with a different-coloured garment. Dyes always run, even if it’s not generally noticeable. It is also essential to wash delicates separately—maybe in a delicates bag or a spare pillowcase—to ensure more robust garments do not tear them apart. For more laundry tips check Doing The Laundry – 8 Easy Ways To Reduce Environmental Impact.

Vintage

• 63. Check out vintage and secondhand stores before you need clothes, so you have your favourites on hand when you need something, whether online or on the street!
• 64. Check out when the local vintage markets are.
• 65. Get to know your local tailor and seamstress. They can work wonders on altering clothing to fit.
• 66. Look out for reversible clothing. No, it’s not just for kids!
• 67. Ditch the tumble dryer sheets.
• 68. In fact, ditch the tumble dryer! If you can’t hang laundry outside, buy a second-hand clothes horse.
• 69. Hang washing out using bamboo or stainless steel pegs. If that fails, you can always use secondhand plastic pegs instead.

Laundry tips

• 70. Use an old pillowcase as a lingerie bag—unless it’s synthetic fabric—then refer to tip 44!
• 71. Airing out natural fibre clothing, like wool or cashmere, reduces the need for frequent washing. Less washing means less waste, which is better for the environment!
• 72. Try spot cleaning instead of tossing all your garments in the washing machine. The agitation and heat can be harsh on fabrics, causing them to wear out and break down more quickly.
• 73. Wash as many clothes as you can inside out. This prevents colour loss when the clothes rub against each other. It can also prevent the deterioration of embroidery, printing or external parts.
• 74. If your clothes are bagging out, like jeans at the knees, for example – try them in the tumble dryer. I know, I’ve already told you not to use it! But if it means you can wear your jeans more, the environmental impact is worth it.

Create a capsule wardrobe

• 75. Create a capsule wardrobe – a small seasonal wardrobe means fewer wasteful purchases. For examples of capsule wardrobes, see Capsule Wardrobe Spring and Capsule Wardrobe Winter.
• 76. Buy clothes you can wear for many different occasions. I buy exercise clothes that suit many other activities, such as yoga, hiking, gym, and lounging at home.
• 77. Buying clothes secondhand and in person means you can ask to take them without any packaging. They might be able to reuse the price label in the shop.
• 78. Once you wear your clothing, hang it in the wardrobe the opposite way. This will show you what you wear the most and make it easy to see what clothing works for you.
• 79. Stop buying repeats. Just because you love it in one colour doesn’t mean you will love it in every colour.

Sustainable fashion is buying less

• 80. Don’t give in to media pressure. We are constantly told that we need to buy more and more. But we don’t, not really. If you have clothes that fit you and look good, don’t feel pressured to buy more to keep up.
• 81. Castille soap works great for keeping trainers white! Or a cloth and water and elbow grease!
• 82. Stop shopping for a while. I’m not suggesting you never shop again, but resetting can be good. If you get out of the habit of shopping, you will only shop when you need something.
• 83. Recycle your knits! Do you love a sweater colour but hate the style? It’s pretty easy to unfurl the wool; check out these pretty sweater patterns and knit yourself a new zero-waste jumper!

Use less detergent

• 84. Use less detergent. The box will usually tell you the correct amount to use. It can be fine to use less than this if your clothes are not super dirty. Using too much detergent will make it difficult to remove afterwards. It will build up in the clothes, leaving them dull or even marked with white stains.
• 85. Skip the fabric conditioner or softener. Fabric conditioner coats your clothes with extra chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that are just not necessary. If you add too much conditioner, the clothes retain the residue and feel waxy. The conditioner will build up over time, leading to colour fading and fibre breakdown. If you still prefer a softener, a small amount of vinegar is a good alternative.
• 86. Outfit Repeat. It’s OK to wear your clothes over and over.
• 87. Secondhand shopping can be overwhelming. Wear comfy, easy-to-remove clothes for a better changing room experience.
• 88. Swedish Stockings recycles old tights from any brands.
• 89. Save inspiring pictures on Instagram or Pinterest as you go along. It is handy to have images you like and can refer to when it’s time to go shopping.

Stop buying multiples

• 90. Make a list of clothing that you don’t need. How many times have you bought the same clothes that you already own?!
• 91. Store your clothes properly after cleaning—whether on hangers or neatly folded. This helps keep them looking fresh and in good condition for longer.
• 92. Iron your clothes. It keeps them presentable for longer, meaning that unless you spill your dinner down the front, you will need to wash them less. Make sure the temperature is not too high. Again, think about what type of fabric you are working with. Ironing is the fastest way to ruin a garment if you go too hot!
• 93. Figure out your style—the clothes you will wear daily—and buy clothing for your life.
• 94. Buy a belt with several ways to close so you can wear it over different layers, on the waist or the hips, etc.
• 95. Take time to try on the clothes you already own to create different outfit combinations. This doesn’t work unless you actually try on the clothes. You might be surprised!

Reduce the water temp

• 96. Reduce the water temperature. You might have heard this before as a response to saving on the electricity bill or saving environmental pollution. However, it is also an excellent way to keep clothes looking new and fresh for longer. Hot water wears out clothes more quickly, fades fabric colours and can go as far as ruining a fragile garment in one wash.
• 97. Constantly edit your wardrobe. If something needs to be altered or fixed, do it. If your sister would suit that dress you don’t wear, pass it on to her. Keep on top of your clothing, and it won’t become overwhelming further down the road.
• 98. Find out what companies use non-plastic packaging for recycling. Organic Basics sends out its sustainable underwear in paper packaging.
• 99. Organise your clothes into outfits that work well together. This doesn’t mean sticking to neutrals—feel free to mix and match colours, patterns, and textures that reflect your style. Otherwise, you might get bored with your wardrobe and want to shop for more!
• 100. Fashion and shopping are totally fine when done ethically. You’re doing okay as long as you’re not overconsuming and throwing it all in the bin. It’s a journey, have fun with it!

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