As a personal stylist and a lover of clothes it is impossible to ignore the impact that fast fashion has on the environment. As consumers, we can take steps to reduce our fashion footprint and make more eco-friendly choices
It's estimated that the average person buys around 60 to 70 new clothing items per year. While this number can vary based on factors like lifestyle, income, and geography, the trend is concerning. Fast fashion culture encourages us to buy cheap, trendy clothes that often wear out quickly, contributing to a cycle of overconsumption. If we break that down its more than one new item of clothing per week! These clothes often end up in landfills, contributing to textile waste, while the production processes involved emit harmful pollutants and require vast amounts of water and energy.
But don’t despair—being a more sustainable shopper doesn’t mean giving up fashion entirely. It’s all about shifting our habits and being intentional in our purchasing decisions. Here are some actionable steps to help you start shopping more sustainably:
Buy Less, Choose Wisely
One of the most effective ways to shop more sustainably is to buy fewer items. Easy to say but actually not so easy to implement if like me you love to the whole shopping experience and cannot wait to get it home and put it on.
Focus on quality over quantity. When purchasing clothing, opt for durable, versatile pieces that can stand the test of time and work across different seasons and occasions. Invest in well-made garments that are designed to last, rather than cheap, disposable items that quickly wear out or go out of style.
Tip: If you find that you’re tempted to make an impulse buy or super trend driven item, try waiting 24 hours before purchasing. This "cool-down" period can help you assess whether you really need the item.
Embrace Secondhand Shopping
Secondhand shopping is a great way to reduce demand for new clothing and extend the life of pre-loved garments. Thrift stores, online resale platforms like Trade Me, Designer Wardrobe, and vintage shops are wonderful alternatives to buying new. By opting for gently used clothing, (and often some still with tags on) you are helping to combat the harmful environmental impact of producing new textiles.
Tip: You need time to really explore a store of if you know a good local owner be sure to tell them what you are looking for and they will contact you if a piece matching your description comes through their door.
Focus on Versatile, Timeless Pieces
Timeless and versatile clothing items that transcend trends can help build a more sustainable wardrobe. Basics like a high-quality shirt (doesn’t have to be white), a pair of good quality jeans, or a well-tailored blazer or jacket can be mixed and matched in different ways to create fresh outfits. When you buy with versatility in mind, your wardrobe can become more flexible, meaning fewer new items are necessary.
Tip: Build a capsule wardrobe—a collection of timeless pieces handpicked you absolutely love to represent your personal style will ensure you can easily combine pieces to create a variety of outfits. This reduces the need for constant new purchases.
Take Care of What You Have
To extend the life of your clothes, make sure to care for them properly. We are washing our clothing far more than is necessary. Did you know that a good steam, an airing on the clothesline and a spot clean can be just as effective as throwing something in the washing machine. Wash your garments inside out, with all zips and buttons done up and where possible consider air drying clothes instead of using the dryer.
A $30 t-shirt will last just as long as a $120 one if you look after it properly.
Tip: Learn some basic clothing repairs, such as hemming pants or sewing on buttons. Small fixes and simple changes like updating buttons on your favourite item can give your clothes a second life and keep them out of landfills.
Buy Less Fast Fashion
Fast fashion has created a throwaway culture, where we purchase clothing cheaply and wear it only a handful of times before discarding it. Moving away from this habit is key to reducing your fashion footprint. By resisting the urge to buy into fleeting trends or being drawn in by influencers you follow and instead choosing quality pieces, you’ll avoid contributing to the cycle of overproduction and waste.
Tip: Be mindful of how often you’re swayed by sales and seasonal trends. Instead, reflect on your wardrobe’s true needs and shop with intention.
Ask yourself do I need this, does it feel like me, what does it say about me?
In the meantime I challenge you to not purchase anything new for 28 days and re-wear something from your wardrobe you haven’t put on in a while. Let me know how you get on.
Bec