There are several ways to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. Maybe you’ve started to buy compostable products and carrying reusable grocery bags. You could even be growing your own organic vegetables for healthy and green living. Even when you’re doing all this, there may be something you’re completely overlooking – your wardrobe.
You don’t necessarily have to replace your entire wardrobe with items from eco-friendly labels. Instead, you could make a few adjustments here and there to infuse your eco-conscious lifestyle into your closet. Take a look at the tips below:
- Choose the right fabrics – When you’re buying new clothes, make sure you go for fabrics that have a low impact on the environment. Go for bamboo, hemp, silk, soy, lyocell, wool, and organic cotton. Even when you’re buying petroleum-based fabrics, try to look for recycled ones.
- Buy from local designers – Another great way to lessen your environmental impact is by shopping local. Try to buy from companies that source their materials and carry out their production within the U.S. The less an item has to travel to reach you, the lower its carbon footprint.With local designers, there’s a good chance they’re keeping a close eye on their supply chain. They also prioritize on sustainability by using alternative materials that are ethically sourced. This means that you’ll be addressing ethical issues in the manufacturing process when you shop locally.
- Choose eco-friendly labels – When you wish to add some fancy designer labels to your closet next to the secondhand pieces, skip fast fashion labels. Instead, look for eco-conscious brands that place an emphasis on producing sustainable fashion. Many designers have started to blend ethically-sourced, eco-friendly materials with exquisite designs. So you’ll have no trouble finding the right pieces for your wardrobe.
Image Source: WikipediaMany people avoid buying from eco-friendly brands because of the common misconception that their products are expensive. Since there is an increasing demand for low-impact products, the eco-friendly clothing industry is also expanding. So you can find a many brands that produce clothing that are affordable while being sustainable. In fact, a lot of them are much more affordable than their fast fashion counterparts.
- Start buying secondhand – Thrift stores are the perfect shopping destination for every eco-conscious person. Not only are secondhand clothes cheap, they’re usually of good quality. You can reduce consumption to a significant extent by upcyling statement vintage pieces and basics alike. Buying from a thrift store is ideal especially when you’re looking for Halloween costumes that you’re only going to wear once.
Image Source: Wikipedia - Make wise investments – Being eco-conscious isn’t just about wearing organic clothes and shoes made from recycled material. It’s more about reducing consumption and waste. So the less you buy, the less impact you’ll make on the environment. Invest in high-quality pieces that will last for years especially when it comes to handbags and shoes.
- Eco-friendly washing – As mentioned earlier, you need to avoid creating waste. So the best way to ensure that your clothes last for a long time is by washing them carefully. Harsh, synthetic chemicals can be harmful for the environment and for your health. They’re also damaging to the fabrics of your clothes. Opt for green laundry detergent that does the same job of cleaning your clothes without the environmental risk.
Image Credit: Stephanie Dillingham
You can save energy by washing your clothes in cold water and drying them in the sun. In case you have garments that require dry cleaning, look for an organic dry cleaner nearby. A lot of dry cleaners use perchloroethylene. Make sure you look for a cleaner who doesn’t use this chemical, as it has been listed as a hazardous pollutant under the Clean Air Act. - Discard responsibly – Cut down on waste by swapping clothes with friends. You could also donate your old clothes to charity and thrift stores. If you have garments that you love but have gone out of style, try to create something new out of them. For instance, you could turn loose and baggy jeans into skinny jeans. Otherwise, you could also create DIY crafts and decors out of them.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for you to adopt an eco-friendly wardrobe. A minor revamping could work wonders, so try not to throw away anything. The goal is to reduce waste, not create more.