5 easy tips to dress this holiday season to heal our Earth
Sustainability is a sizzling hot topic in the fashion industry. Companies are re-looking their business operations with the environment in mind by, for example, sourcing for sustainable textiles to lessen their impact on the earth. As consumers, what are some changes we can make in our daily lives to support the goal of sustainable fashion? Especially with the holiday season around the corner, we all want to dress up, look great and feel great. So here are our 5 easy tips to dress this holiday season to heal our Earth!
Buy items that have a long shelf-life
When choosing an item, ask yourself, “will I still want to wear this next year? Can this withstand multiple washes? Does it go with other items in my closet?” By purchasing clothes that are versatile, durable and long-lasting, you reduce the amount of clothes you throw out, and reduce packaging waste as well as many other nefarious ancillary social and environmental factors in the supply chain.
Re-wear your clothes
Ever trashed your outfits because you don't want to repeat a look in front of the same people? Bought another dress to wear for a formal occasion because you've already worn the one currently hanging in your wardrobe?
A mix of self consciousness and societal pressure can lead us to ignore the clothes in our wardrobe, make frivolous buys and end up with more clothes than we will ever need. Challenge yourself to rewear the clothes you own more often. Perhaps you can shift your attitude to appreciate that being kind to the environment is also part of the social equation.
So many clothes but nothing to wear is a sign that you need to change the way you think and shop.
Donate old clothes and explore second-hand options
Nobody said great fashion need to be first hand. Younger siblings (and parents) would know the convenience of having a whole wardrobe of hand-me-downs at their fingertips. Reusing clothes is great for your wallet and for the environment too! This reduces the waste generated by throwing away old clothes and the strain on materials and resources used in the manufacturing process.
In the same vein, we can also donate or sell our clothes. Encourage this trend by scouring second hand thrift stores in your area or checking out online sellers looking to pass on their old clothes. Cloth swaps with friends are also a great way to refresh your wardrobe.
Be informed
Keep yourself informed about fashion brands that practice environmental sustainability and have ethical business practices. If we make choices that support eco-friendly business practices, companies will make the environment a key factor in their business decisions. This can start with simple decisions, such as declining excess packaging from stores or supporting brands that use organic, recycled materials.
Learn to repair your clothes
Valuing what you already have and learning to take care of it is such a wonderful idea! Minor rips and unaligned hooks in clothes can be frustrating, especially when you need to go to the store to exchange a defective item or buy a new one. Learning to repair your clothes or adjust them to fit better saves you from this hassle and reduces the amount of clothes you buy and throw away. It may also be good for your heart as you take better care of the things you possess.
Being environmentally-friendly requires adjustments in all aspects of our lifestyle and fashion is no outlier. Practicing sustainable fashion ensures that you both look good and feel good in your clothes!
