As the seasons begin to change, it’s right about now that we start evaluating our closets and purging. Why do we end up with so much stuff we don’t use? Often it ties back to having a great wardrobe strategy that is tied to your signature style. It’s also helpful to understand the key building blocks of building a more sustainable wardrobe. Being intentional about what you bring in and out of your wardrobe and learning how to maximize what already exists.
We’ve shared Our Top 5 Tips for a Sustainable Wardrobe and our Sustainable Shopping Strategies, so here is a combo of both to refresh your current wardrobe. Let us know what you think!
SHOP YOUR CLOSET
Try to refrain from spontaneously buying things you don’t need. Evaluate what you have in your current wardrobe and outline what items are truly essential to buy new. Consider styling your clothes differently to get a different look.
BORROW/RENT/SWAP
When it comes to borrowing clothes, it might be the easiest to borrow from your friends, mom, or even your friend’s mom. Finding where you can rent clothes can also be tricky, here are 10 different clothing rental services. Swapping clothes is an awesome option if you additionally have clothes you want to donate and give another home. A great online resource to check out is Swap Society. Send them your clothes and then receive points for those items, which you can use to shop. If finding a place to swap clothing is difficult to you, consider hosting your own!
BUY THRIFTED/VINTAGE
An alternative to buying clothes from a store is shopping at thrift, vintage, or consignment stores. While taking into consideration it might not be a great time to be shopping in person, online thrifting apps are a great option. In addition to your local thrift stores, you also have apps/websites like Poshmark, Curtsy, Depop, ThredUp and more right at your fingertips. Here are some additional tips on thrifting.
SHOP SUSTAINABLE/ETHICAL
Consciously move away from fast fashion retailers. The micro-season model fashion retailers follow means they are producing around 52 new lines a year. Some suggestions for sustainable brands to shop can be found below:
MAKE IT LAST
Care for your garments
Wash clothing in cold water and hang dry when possible. Refrain from washing items after every use. If they are not soiled you can hang them to air out, steam them in between wears if the material calls for it or spot clean when possible.
The Weekend Gypsy’s “Thrift Flip | The Bubble Top”
Repair/Upcycle
Before you get rid of a piece from your closet as yourself a couple questions. Can I repair this on my own or get it tailored? Will I wear this after it is mended? Can I turn this into something new? Upcycling can be as simple as turning tired whites into rags or turning something from old to bold like this bubble top made by The Weekend Gypsy. This beautiful top was originally a pillowcase! Can you believe it?
Donate/Sell/Recycle
If an item is still in good condition but maybe it no longer fits right, or you don’t love it as much as you once had, consider donating the clothing or selling on a thrifting app. Once the piece is no longer salvageable, try to find an organization that participates in textile recycling instead of throwing it away. A great resource for selling your used clothing is thredUP’s clean out service.
