Looking stylish doesn’t have to put the environment at risk. There are tons of ways that you can strut your stuff in an eco-friendly way. Not to mention, many of these tips actually enhance your shopping by giving you a much wider range of choices than whatever the trendy stuff has. Without further ado, let’s see how we can make your wardrobe green and stylish.
Go Thrift Shopping
Before you go browsing department stores, look around your local thrift stores for your new look. You’d be surprised what gems you can find in these thrift shops if you keep an eye out. Most secondhand clothing is in pretty good condition and only needs a quick wash to be fashionable again.
By shopping secondhand, you help keep these clothes out of garbage and add to more landfills. In addition, you also reduce the overall emissions needed by clothing companies to make new clothes. That means less pollution in all aspects since factories affect the environment in several ways.
Supporting these types of businesses communicate to the industry that there is value in emissions management and value chain sustainability.
Wash Efficiently
Whenever laundry day comes along, minimize your water usage only to what’s necessary. If the clothing you wear doesn’t smell or look ragged, then there’s no point tossing it in the laundry bin. A lot of clothes take at least 2-3 times before it starts needing a wash.
Choose a brand of detergent that doesn’t derive its contents from harmful chemicals such as petroleum. Reducing the number of toxins that reach the ocean is a small way to help with saving the ocean from more pollution.
Once their trip in the washing machine is done, go for drip drying whenever you can, especially if you have an open space to use. Drip drying not only saves on electricity,
Repurpose Old Clothing
If some of your old clothes have tears or minor damage, don’t toss them just yet. Why not try and pick up sewing and see what you can do with it? Jazz up your bedroom by sowing old clothes into a duvet cover. It makes your bedroom look unique and keeps those clothes away from the bin to add to more landfills.
You could also work it into cushion covers, bedspreads, and other comfy cover items. If you’re feeling particularly courageous, you could even make a dress out of the old clothes you have. If you don’t feel like doing all that though, donate your clothes instead of throwing them away. Making sure that clothes get the most use possible helps reduce carbon in the apparel industry.
Support Eco-Friendly Brands
When you can’t find what you need from the thrift shops, supporting eco-friendly brands are a great way to remain environmentally friendly without sacrificing style. Supporting brands that value eco-friendly products send a message to the industry at large. It’s important to make the right thing look stylish as possible, after all.
Sustainable brands will often have eco-friendly practices such as:
Natural Fibers
Clothing manufactured with either natural or organic fibers is a great way to reduce the use of microplastics, pesticides, and synthetic chemicals used in clothes. This means that when clothes eventually reach the end of their use, they don’t release these harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Not to mention, the waste from manufacturing such materials is also reduced by proxy.
Ethical Disposing
Brands known for their eco-friendly products will be ethical in the disposal of their manufactured clothes. Instead of throwing all of their waste into landfills or burning them carelessly, they give their waste to specialized services that will look for ways to reuse this waste into something beneficial.
High Quality Clothing
Sustainable clothes are often much higher in quality and durability than the mass-produced products of other companies. They are stronger, more comfortable, and will last you for decades.
Longer-lasting clothes also mean that you won’t buy new clothes all the time. This indirectly reduces the overall production of clothes.
Buy From Local Businesses
For whatever fashion choices you make, pick local businesses whenever possible. The carbon footprint by overseas shipping is one that most people don’t take into consideration. Buying from local brands also supports the community and incentivizes more businesses to pursue eco-friendly practices.
Conclusion
Your fashion choices are only a part of your eco-friendly fashion choices. In addition to all this, you have to start practicing what you preach. In addition to all of these, start gently pushing others to follow your example. Show through your actions and words that your lifestyle is fashionable and enjoyable.
Many people have a hard time going green because they think they have to change who they are or make excessive changes to their lifestyle. In truth, being eco-friendly isn’t that hard. It’s just inconvenient. It’s up to you to show them why it’s not.
