Slow fashion is becoming more and more popular.
People want to know where their clothes are coming from and who made them. They want to dress more eco friendly. Here are six simple tips to help you look great while still keeping up your eco-credentials.
Obvious? Maybe, but it is so easy to think that you need to buy something new for every occasion. And occasions are the worst! How many times have you been invited to a wedding and think you need to buy a new dress? Instead, take some time to familiarise yourself with the clothes in your wardrobe. Try wearing them in different combinations; you might find some surprising new outfits. Pinterest is a great way to find new ways to wear an old piece of clothing. Wearing what you already own is the simplest way to dress more eco friendly.
Vivienne Westwood was onto something when she said the now-famous words “Buy less, choose well.” I know for a fact that you don’t need as much clothing as you think you do and it is still a concept I struggle with today. Last year I donated a big pile of t-shirts that were either too big or too small and bought three perfectly fitting tees in different colours. However, in hindsight, I should have bought one new t-shirt and waited to see if I needed three (I didn’t.) I’ve since seen other t-shirts that would probably suit me better. I only really wear them in the middle of summer anyway, so I still have more than I regularly wear.
Something until recently, I used to baulk at. I struggled with the rummage factor, preferring clean, minimalist shops. However, once I came across the Oxfam online shop, I knew I was onto a winner. Now I enjoy nothing more than a rummage in a second-hand shop. Buying secondhand means clothing stops it from going to landfill, and less energy and water is going into making new clothing. It is a much better option for the environment. I recently realised just how many different types of secondhand and vintage stores that are around. It can be particularly exciting to find a good one while travelling somewhere new. Check out my Instagram, where I share outfits, often wearing secondhand clothing that I’ve picked up.
Do you know that you don’t need to wash pure wool or cashmere? If there are no stains on the garment, it’s better to air it out after wearing. Not only will this save you time and money, but it also means your clothes will look good for a lot longer. Plus natural fibres are so much kinder to the environment. And they feel SO MUCH NICER on the skin! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve worn polyester in the summer, only to feel like I’m about to combust with the heat and then frozen as soon as the temperatures drop. Now I prefer to try and find cotton or linen in the summer, both of which are kinder to the environment and let the skin breathe.
I guarantee this question will make you stop and think. Livia Firth from EcoAge first started the 30 Wears Campaign to make it easier to ask ourselves if we really will wear a new piece of clothing before we buy it. For example, I find it almost impossible to wear an evening dress 30 times so I’ve taken to buying only classic dresses that I know I can get more wear of. I also now prefer skirt and tops as I find them easier to restyle in different ways. It can be wasteful and stressful to have a wardrobe full of clothing that you just don’t wear.
There are so many good ethical and sustainable brands to buy new clothes to help us dress more eco friendly. For more information about what ethical fashion means, click here.
100 Ways to Embrace Sustainable Fashion
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About Me
The Green Edition is a journey to help slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. With tips for shopping more consciously and simplifying your life.
About Me
The Green Edition is a journey to help slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. With tips for shopping more consciously and simplifying your life.