10+ Sustainable Fashion Tips for Your Wardrobe

Key Takeaways

• Did you know your clothes could be jet-setters? Discover how shopping locally and choosing slower shipping can slash your wardrobe's carbon footprint.
• Learn how to spot ethical brands, embrace recycled materials, and make your clothes last longer with our easy-to-follow sustainable fashion tips.
• Banana fibers and coffee grounds could revolutionize your wardrobe, but how? Dive into our guide on sustainable materials and uncover surprising ways to make your fashion choices kinder to the earth.

Educate Yourself

Alright, let's kick off our sustainable fashion tips with the basics: learning stuff. Here are some sources:

• Books: Try “How to Break Up With Fast Fashion” by “Lauren Bravo” or “Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment” from Maxine Bédat.

Books about sustainable fashion. Source: Amazon (1) (2).

• Podcasts: If you're more of a listener, check out podcasts like "Wardrobe Crisis." Perfect for when you're doing chores or stuck in traffic.

Wardrobe crisis podcast. Source: Apple Music.

• Documentaries: For the visual learners among us, there are some eye-opening documentaries. "The True Cost" is a good one. Fair warning: it might make you look at your closet differently.

The True Cost movie. Source: TrueCostMovie.com.

• Influencers/brands: Now, we all spend time scrolling on our phones anyway, so why not make it useful? Follow eco-conscious KOLs and brands (like Vegan Cosmic Universe!) on Instagram or TikTok for bite-sized inspiration. 

Vegan Cosmic Universe’s Instagram. Source: VCU.

• Workshops/webinars: If you're feeling extra motivated, look for online workshops about sustainable fashion. It's like a masterclass in being good to the planet, one outfit at a time.

Reduce Waste

This is easier said than done. We all know waste reduction puts less burden on landfills and also conserves resources, thus making it one of the crucial tips for sustainable fashion.

But to actually practice it, start by upcycling old clothes. That ratty band tee from your teenage angst phase? Congratulations, it's now a chic cleaning rag! Host clothing swaps with friends or use rental services for special occasions. 

When you do shop, always remember quality over quantity. Well-made pieces might cost more upfront, but they'll last longer.

Last tip: support brands that offer repair services. They come back refreshed, and you’re also supporting a circular economy.

Reduce Transportation Emissions

When we talk about sustainable fashion tips, reducing transportation emissions is often overlooked, yet oh-so-important. Imagine your new favorite shirt jet-setting around the world before landing in your closet. Quite the carbon footprint for such a small traveler, right? 

A good starting to combat this shopping locally. Supporting nearby designers and makers isn't just cool, it means your clothes don't need a passport to reach you.

When you're online shopping (because, let's face it, we all do it), try to resist the temptation of next-day delivery. Slower shipping options often mean more efficient transportation and fewer emissions.

Shipping methods. Source: Track-POD.

Also, look for brands that source materials locally. You can find them through directories like Good On You, Project Cece, or The Good Trade. 

Lastly, thrifting! Buying second-hand means you’re reducing waste (our second tip!) and also saying "no thanks" to those pesky transportation emissions.

Invest In Trans-Seasonal Clothes

Build a versatile wardrobe by getting as many clothes you can wear year-round as possible. Think about it: wouldn't it be great to have pieces in your wardrobe that work just as well in spring as they do in fall?

Trans-seasonal pieces significantly reduce the demand for new clothes and for your wallet. It also reduces decision fatigue and saves time every time you go out. No more morning meltdowns about what to wear!

Focus on neutral colors and classic cuts that won't go out of style. A well-fitted white shirt, for instance, can be paired with shorts in summer or layered under a sweater in winter. 

Opt for natural, breathable materials like organic cotton or Tencel that play well with different temperatures, which is exactly what we need.

Remember, the goal of these sustainable fashion tips is to create a wardrobe that works harder for you, not the other way around. So, even when those quality trans-seasonal pieces seem pricier upfront, it's a smart long-term strategy.

Donate Your Unwanted Clothes

Donating unwanted clothes is one of the powerful tips for sustainable fashion that can clear out your closet real good. However, it's crucial to donate responsibly.

Before tossing everything into a donation bin, take a moment to assess each item's condition. Is it clean? No holes or stains? Would you give it to a friend? If yes, you're good to go. Remember, charities aren't a dump for your fashion disasters.

Research where to donate, ideally local charities or organizations that actually need your old clothes. Some places are looking for work clothes to help people get jobs. Others need warm coats for winter. Animal shelters sometimes even take old towels and blankets. Similarly, some places take clothes that are too worn to wear to recycle.

The season when donating is also a much-appreciated factor. Warm clothes for winter, airy clothes for summer, not vice versa! 

For high-quality items, maybe try consignment shops or online resale platforms. You still upcycle your clothes and get extra cash in the process. More money to invest in sustainable pieces!

Learn How To Repair Clothes Yourself

Start small by learning basic skills like sewing on buttons or fixing a tiny hole. It’s definitely not rocket science, but it might feel like it the first time. YouTube and online workshops can guide you through these techniques.

Sewing kit. Source: Unsplash.

For more advanced repairs, think of buying a sewing machine. It opens up a world of possibilities, from patching jeans to altering hemlines. And don't worry if your fixes are visible – that's actually pretty cool these days. They call it "visible mending," and it's a way to make your clothes unique.

Aside from environmental benefits, this practice really fosters a deeper connection with your wardrobe. When you learn to fix them, you start to care about them more. They’ve basically become your babies. There's also something really satisfying about wearing something you fixed yourself!

Use Sustainable Materials

You know how we've been talking about sustainable fashion tips? Well, now we're diving into the world of eco-friendly materials. Some sustainable materials you might want to add to your wardrobe include:

Environmentally friendly fabrics. Sources: Canva (1) (2) (3) (4).

• Organic cotton: This leads the pack as it grows without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. A golden child, if you will – overachieving in comfort and eco-friendliness. 
• Tencel (lyocell): For sensitive skin folks, these fabrics are softer than a kitten’s belly with minimal environmental impact.
• Hemp: This bad boy isn't just for hippies anymore. It's tough, durable, and needs less water than your average plant.
• Organic linen: Derived from flax plants, this is another excellent choice, known for its breathability and natural biodegradability.

Follow this tip, and your body will thank you for not wrapping it in plastic-based fabrics. You're welcome, skin!

Use Recycled Materials

Incorporating recycled materials takes your commitment to sustainable fashion a step further. This is where things get really interesting.

Recycled polyester is a popular choice. You know those plastic water bottles you toss in the recycling bin? Well, some of them might come back as your next t-shirt or jacket. That's right, recycled polyester is a thing, and it's pretty cool. 

Recycled cotton is another innovative option. This is made from leftover cotton from factories or from old cotton clothes. Instead of throwing all that cotton away, it gets a new chance to be useful. 

Some brands are even experimenting with more unusual recycled materials, like fabrics made from recycled fishing nets or discarded coffee grounds. Rest assured that even if you’re not the most prettily dressed in the room, you’d be the most unique with those materials. And environmentally responsible is always sexy!

Use Biodegradable Materials

It's a fancy term, but it basically means stuff that can break down naturally without leaving a mess behind, thus reducing long-term environmental impact.

You know those natural fibers we talked about earlier, like cotton, hemp, and linen? These materials are great because when you're done with them (like, really done), they can go back to the earth without causing problems.

There's some cool new stuff out there, too. Believe it or not, people are making fabric from things like banana fibers, pineapple leaves, and eucalyptus trees.

Pro tip: When you're looking at clothes made from biodegradable materials, check the whole thing, not just the fabric. Trims, threads, dyes, etc. Those little details matter. A shirt made from organic cotton is great, but if it's got plastic buttons, it kind of defeats the purpose.

It's not one of the easy sustainable fashion tips to find clothes made entirely from biodegradable materials, but more and more brands are giving it a go. Keep an eye out for them.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Caring for your clothes sustainably doesn't stop at the point of purchase. Using natural cleaning products is the next sustainable fashion tip. Swap out those harsh chemical detergents for eco-friendly alternatives so your clothes won’t fall out after three washes.

Look for plant-based, biodegradable detergents free from phosphates and optical brighteners. Ever heard of soap nuts? They're natural, reusable laundry miracles straight from the soapberry tree.

Special treatment? We aren’t forgetting it!

For stain removal, try natural solutions like white vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice before resorting to chemical spot treatments. For dry clean-only items, seek out eco-friendly dry cleaners that use non-toxic, biodegradable solvents.

Stain removal with baking soda. Source: Canva.

Support Ethical Labor Practices

While we've focused on materials and care, let's not forget about the people who make our clothes. Supporting ethical labor practices is a big deal in sustainable fashion, as fashion shouldn't cost an arm and a leg… Literally. But it's not always easy to know where to start. 

First off, look for brands that treat their workers right. This means fair wages, safe working conditions, and basic rights like breaks and time off. You might see some labels with certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000. They're basically a thumbs-up that the brand is doing things the right way when it comes to treating workers. 

Types of Fair Trade certificates. Source: Middlebury.

Some brands are really open about their supply chain, too. They'll tell you where the materials come from, who makes the clothes, and how they're made. This kind of honesty is a good sign anywhere.

When you buy from these kinds of brands, you're doing more than just getting new clothes. You're showing that you care about the people who made them and casting a vote for a fairer fashion world.

It might mean spending a bit more money sometimes. But think of it this way: you're paying for clothes that didn't make someone else's life harder. That's pretty cool when you think about it.

Support Sustainable Initiatives

The final piece in our puzzle of sustainable fashion tips is supporting broader sustainable initiatives. It’s not just what you buy anymore, we go beyond that.

Keep an eye out for brands that are doing good things for the planet with their sustainability projects. Some are planting trees to help with climate change. Others are cleaning up the oceans or helping out craftspeople in different parts of the world.

On the other hand, many brands now have recycling programs where you can bring back your old clothes for recycling. It's a great way to clear out your closet and know your old stuff isn't just ending up in the trash.

There are also fashion-focused non-profits out there pushing for big changes in how clothes are made. Fashion Revolution is one of them. They make sure brands are honest about how they make clothes and treat workers.

You can also get involved at a local level, as our previous tips stated. Host clothing swaps with family and friends and support local shops. It's good for the environment and your local community.

Don't be afraid to speak up about recycling in your area as well. A lot of places don't have good ways to recycle old clothes. If enough people ask for it, things might change.