Easy Sustainable Fashion Choices You Can Make Right Now

If all the fires, floods, and earthquakes we’ve been seeing all over the news lately reminds us anything, it’s that climate change is real, it’s here, and we all need to do something about it now. I get it, it can feel hopeless at times, but we must remember that any big change starts with small steps. We aren’t going to be walking around naked anytime soon, so clothing and fashion is an area we can all make adjustments in to become part of the solution. We want to help you get started on your road to making sustainable fashion choices by sharing some easy starting points. Although change can be daunting, these do not require much time or effort and, best of all can be started today.

Shop your closet and make do with what you already have

I’ll be the first to admit the temptation is real to swipe your card every time there’s a sale or a hot new trend all over social media! I am going to let you in on a secret though, there is actually not much that changes in fashion. Most styles have existed before, even if a slight variation to the style means being tagged with the word “trend.” Dare I say, if you just explored your existing closet, you probably own a lot of what's trendy right now. While I have your attention, the word “sale” is a marketing tactic, surprise! As great as it is to save money when shopping, just because an item is on sale doesn't mean you have to have it. Spending $5,000 on sale items that were once $10,000 is still $5,000 spent, no matter how you swing the math. The best choice you can make for the environment, your wallet, and your sanity (stressing about what to wear in a sea of clothing because you own too much) is to shop less and wear what you already own. 

Overconsumption is a huge issue and learning to style the items you already have is a solution. This is only possible through taking regular inventory of what you have. We recommend doing so about twice a year when switching your seasonal clothes. All it takes is a little creativity and you can re-style (and repurpose) almost anything in your wardrobe to make it more current.

Of course, if this is a challenge or you just need some extra motivation and direction, we are here to make it easy with our services offering personalized style advice curated to your taste, preference, and budget.

Think twice before giving in to microtrends

The fashion cycle is moving faster than ever, with new styles constantly rising in popularity and falling even faster. The faster the cycle, the more waste that is produced due to increased manufacturing to meet demand. Not every trend is worth hopping on, especially if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle. For instance, you might love the mini bag trend, but if you’re someone who has to carry a lot of things around, it doesn’t make sense to go for it. The point is to not shop just because every post, article, or magazine says you have to have it and be more thoughtful about which trends to hop on.

Next time you feel the urge to shop, ask yourself: will I still be wearing this in 5 years? And if you really must have the latest and greatest, a helpful tip is to figure out what it is about the trend that you actually like so you can purchase something that will speak to that love.

Look after your clothes so they last longer

Fashion is a business, and businesses exist to make money. Businesses also rely on demand in order to create supply. If we consume less, less will be created. So, if we purchase thoughtfully and take care of what we have with the intention of keeping items for a long time, then these choices will eventually create a greater influence on the fashion industry to produce less.

Purchasing good quality items is a great start. Then, you can go the extra mile of extending their life by careful washing, drying, and storage. No one really likes to think about chores, so lucky for you, we have a cheat sheet on garment care that concisely lists all you need to know.

Side note: make laundry day more eco-friendly

Speaking of washing, doing laundry uses a significant amount of water and energy. You can lower your environmental footprint tremendously by only washing full loads. If you’ve been trained to believe that clothes need to be washed after being worn once, it’s time to shift that mindset. Aside from underwear, of course, most items can go a few wears between washes. Take it a step further by using cold water. Most of the energy used by washing machines goes towards heating, so doing this will not only save the environment, but also your wallet.

Avoid “fast fashion” as much as possible

While shopping less may be the best step to making more sustainable fashion choices, we know there are times when you really want (or need) something new. In our books, garment quality is a major factor in shopping, as well as being produced sustainably and by folks being paid a fair wage. Unfortunately, a lot of fast fashion does not fit this bill. According to Oxford, fast fashion is defined as “inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.”

We’re all guilty of shopping fast fashion brands. The price tags can be very tempting, but it’s important to remember that you truly do get what you pay for. Everything from the unethical sourcing and types of materials used to the labour practices that go into producing these items has serious consequences on the planet. Plus, you end up with a low-quality garment that probably won’t last very long and will need to be replaced, leading us once again to overconsumption.

Instead, consider slow fashion brands with ethical and environmentally conscious practices. The great news is that with the help of Google and apps like Good On You, it is increasingly easier to discover ethical brands and see how your current favourites measure up.

Shop vintage and pre-loved

The ability to avoid fast fashion from a price point perspective is, in all honesty, a privilege. It is unrealistic to expect that everyone has the means to afford a dream closet of the most sustainable pieces. To avoid breaking the bank for higher-ticket items, consider shopping pre-loved. This is great for the environment as clothing is given an even longer life.

Instead of throwing out your clothes...

In North America alone, 12 million tons of clothing end up in a landfill every year (Recycling Council of Ontario). If you have items you’re not wearing anymore sitting in your closet, there are many solutions that do not involve sending them to the landfill. Donate them, give them to a friend or family member, sell them on peer-to-peer apps or through consignment stores, repurpose as rags, or recycle them if they are beyond repair.

Doing any of the things listed above is a step in the right direction. If you feel overwhelmed and would like some assistance, consider booking a complimentary style consultation. And if you live in the GTA and need help making a clothing donation, feel free to email us at hello@styledbydsm.com and we will gladly pick up your clothes and donate them to organizations across the city⁠.