Steps for A Conscious Wardrobe

5 Tips! 
It’s natural to look at the weekly news headlines regarding sustainability and despair. I’d prefer to get dressed in the morning and not worry my clothes have caused environmental destruction, thank you very much. I would like to champion local and sustainable brands and know that the people who made my clothes are treated fairly. I want to know that traditional artisanal skills are being kept alive while new and improved eco fabrics and solutions are invented.

Five top tips for a conscious wardrobe

Buying Vintage

Newsflash: The clothes of the past are very similar to the styles of today. And some of the most stylish have dressed in vintage for years. I remember a photo of Kate Moss wearing a dress from the 1930s in 2007 and she looks amazing. It’s probably not the best example, as the dress started deteriorating as she wore it! However, I’ve often thought of it since. Preloved clothing can be anything you want it to be. Just watch out for eighty old silk pieces, they might not last the night…

Invest in Better Quality

Easier said than done if you are used to buying trend led fast fashion pieces at a low price. I’ll admit it takes a mindset change to do this. Note that better quality doesn’t always mean a higher price point. Check the seams and fabric of the garment before you buy it. Does it feel good like quality?

Buy from Ethical Brands

Most of us would prefer to buy from brands that are designing wisely and actually pay a fair wage to the people who make the fabrics and clothes. Two big problems that stop us from doing it – are it can be difficult to find these brands and the cost. Start following blogs and websites about ethical fashion to find out about the brilliant brands that are doing good. And sign up to email newsletters from any ethical brands you find, they often have sales at the end of the season which makes it easier to afford.

Rent, Borrow or Swap

Going somewhere fancy? Evening and event wear can be rented so easily nowadays. This means you can wear something beautiful and know it’s not going to sit at the back of your wardrobe for the next ten years. Clothes are meant to be worn, not stuck in the back of the wardrobe. But don’t forget your friends’ wardrobes too, with permission first obviously! Clothing swaps are brilliant, and they are becoming more popular too. Try searching on Facebook to see if there are any in your area, if not, organise your own!

Use It Already!

Can you actually remember everything that’s in your wardrobe? I’m obsessed with curating my small conscious wardrobe and even I forget. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have nothing to wear. Take the time to try on your clothes and find new wearable outfits from what you already own. It sounds simple but I’ve lost count of the times I’ve found a new outfit combo using clothes I already owned.

Fancy more reading? What about the secondhand silk shirt?

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