April is Earth Month! While Earth Day is April 22, there’s no reason to wait to celebrate, starting with our wardrobes. If you’ve followed me the last few years, you know I am passionate about fashion sustainability. In today’s fashion landscape, it’s not just about what you wear, but also how you wear it. As we become increasingly aware of our environmental footprint, we must rethink our approach to clothing and style.
Caring for our planet through our fashion choices eventually becomes second nature as I’ve personally experienced. In the beginning, it took a lot of reprograming on how and where I shopped. If I can do it, anyone can!
My Top Sustainability Tips
Buy Less, Wear More
The first step towards being more sustainable with our style is to break free from the cycle of constant consumption. My advice: understand your weak spots and tackle them head on. For me, it’s seeing the item. If I see something I love, it’s difficult for me to not buy it. So, guess what? I don’t look. When I need to tap the brakes on my consumption, I don’t browse online, and I don’t wander into shops. While I must shop for my clients and stay on top of trends and brand offerings, that does not mean I need to shop with myself in mind.
Another tip: adopt an empowering mantra to keep you on course for less consumption. Mine is: “There’s always something beautiful to buy.” This helps me remember that I am not “missing out” if I don’t buy it. There will be something later when the time is right.
Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking you need something new for each occasion. Look at your wardrobe and wear everything again and again. No one remembers that you wore a certain top or dress to dinner last month. And who cares if they do? Wearing a piece over and over is chic, in my opinion. It shows you love it and want to enjoy it as much as possible.
By buying less and wearing more, you reduce your environmental impact and cultivate a more mindful approach to dressing. This is your first step toward sustainable style.
Recycle Old Textiles
Very little of our clothing donations makes it to a charity shop and is purchased. To assure your clothing stays out of landfills, send your pieces to companies that are committed to recycling anything that cannot be sold. These companies include ThredUp, Retold Recyling, and For Days. For underwear and bra recyling, send them to Subset.
If you have a piece you aren’t wearing any longer, consider handing it over to a local designer to repurpose it for you. An old pair of jeans can be painted. Patches can be sewn onto jackets, and fabric from a full skirt can be used to cover pillows. Get creative! It’s fun to give an old piece new life.
Swap parties are a fun way to pick up something new and get rid of items you aren’t using. A small group of my friends did a jewelry swap party last year, and the extra pieces were taken to a local women’s shelter. Everyone wins!
Support Sustainable Brands
When I started keeping a list of sustainable brands, I thought I’d have a concise two-page list in my Word docs. 14 pages later, I continue to add to this list! Two good places to look for sustainable brands are The Good Trade and Good On You, which provides ratings based on the brands’ sustainability efforts. From using organic and recycled materials to prioritizing fair labor practices, sustainable brands are leading the way towards a more responsible fashion industry.
Some brands I’ve recently supported thinking they are sustainable are not. So, do your homework. I will, too! A few brands to look at are Fortress, Cleobella, Baukjen, and Nadaam. See my shopping catalog for a handful of items by these brands and a few others. By supporting these companies, you send a clear message to the market that sustainability is our new direction. Plus, you add pieces to your wardrobe with meaning and great value because of the sustainable efforts behind them. Vote with your wallet for a greener, more ethical fashion landscape.
Book an Outfit Session
While it may seem like a shameless plug, one of the best things you can do for fashion sustainability is to work with me to create fresh outfits from what you already own. Often, you don’t need more things but simply a fresh set of eyes to show you how to wear your pieces in new ways. While wardrobe edits are one thing I am known for, I am available to make outfits for you without editing. The same goes for vacation packing. In this session, we create a travel capsule that works for your entire trip without the extras. This saves room for souvenirs, naturally.
Additionally, I can assist you in making informed choices when adding new items to your wardrobe, guiding you towards sustainable brands and timeless essentials that complement your personal style. Message me to get started.
What is Sustainable Style?
At its core, sustainable style is about embracing conscious consumption and cultivating a deeper connection to the clothes we wear. It’s about recognizing the impact of our choices and making decisions that reflect our values. By buying less, wearing more, recycling old textiles, supporting sustainable brands, and creating fresh outfits in our closets, we make a huge impact. Every effort matters.
Sustainable style isn’t a passing trend. It’s critical for each of us to be more mindful and responsible. By adopting practices that prioritize the planet alongside personal style, we create a wardrobe that looks good and does good. It’s fashion with a purpose, one conscious choice at a time.
To book that outfit session, send me a note! I look forward to assisting you!
