Building a Sustainable Wardrobe
“The Bodysuit” by Everlane, vintage denim from Mom’s closet
This Earth Day hits a little differently for me. While social distancing, I’ve really retreated into nature more for comfort and escape. I think thats true for a lot of us who are (safely) using walks, hikes, and fresh air as therapy during isolation. I’m grateful to have that option living in a relatively unpopulated area and residing across the street from an empty field that I can bring my dog to run around in while I sit in the grass. Our walks and fetch that usually feel routine have become a much looked forward to daily retreat.
Since moving to the west coast and being more submersed in “green” culture, Alec and I have made more of an effort to learn about and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. From investing in reusable Stasher bags to carrying around our Hydroflask reusable water bottles everywhere, we’ve made a lot of small changes over the years. One of the new-to-me topics I am most fascinated about, and something I am continuously working on, is learning about environmentally friendly fashion and building a sustainable wardrobe.
What makes a wardrobe sustainable, however, isn’t only defined by what the materials are made of.
I realize that it’s not in everyone’s budget (nor my own) to have a wardrobe made from completely eco-friendly, recycled, or fair trade materials. Because these companies invest time and money into how their products are made, their prices often reflect that. What makes a wardrobe sustainable, however, isn’t only defined by what the materials are made of. It’s also whether your pieces will hold up with time, and if you’ll actually wear them.
Remember in The Lizzie McGuire Movie when Kate Sanders yelled “Lizzie McGuire, you are an OUTFIT REPEATER!” like it was the biggest insult in the world? Well, Lizzie McGuire was ahead of her time because reusing outfits is IN — for your wallet and the environment. I think I’ve worn the same dress to every wedding I’ve attended in the last five years. And I’m proud of it!
A sustainable wardrobe is both a mindset and a collection. It’s a thought process when you shop for clothing that can influence where you shop, how often you shop, and how much you are buying. It’s a collection of timeless, versatile clothing that’s meant to be worn and loved for a while.
In fast fashion (think stores like Forever21, ASOS, H&M, TopShop, Zara), cheap on-trend clothing is overproduced through unethical labor and a lot of it, believe it or not, ends up in landfills. There the synthetic materials will not decompose and instead, contribute pollutants like dyes and microfibers to our water systems. While fast fashion is cheaply priced for consumers, our planet pays big time for it. My point isn’t to demonize any one company or shame anyone for where they shop, but more to remind you that when we purchase anything, we are voting with our dollar and when we buy more sustainable clothing or choose to thrift or donate, we are ultimately voting for a healthier planet and healthier humans.
When I got my first job as a teenager (conveniently in an outlet mall) and felt a sense of financial autonomy, I loved shopping after work with friends and felt comfort in having a lot of clothing options to wear. Even with all those almost identical flowy American Eagle tops and various washes of jeggings, I still stuck to a handful of favorites and ignored a huge portion of my wardrobe. I didn’t necessarily treat my clothing as disposable, but I also didn’t care for them correctly or consider how, where, or how often I would wear something before I bought it.
The key when it comes to building a sustainable wardrobe is investing — investing thought into buying only the things we need or truly love, investing money into higher quality things at times, and always investing time into caring for them.
As an adult my mindset has definitely shifted more towards minimalism but I am still a creature of habit. I still have a handful of favorites and find comfort in creating a wardrobe that represents me. Obviously part of that mindset shift is because as an adult, I have more responsibilities so I need to be more practical and purposeful with my purchases. But more than that, I’m focused on investing in a handful of pieces that will last me a long time and that I can wear in different ways and in multiple seasons. I know that personally, by choosing clothes that I really love and having less of them, I will take care of them more and treasure each addition to my closet. Over the past few years, I’ve donated a lot of things that I no longer wore and have been slowly bringing in pieces that I truly love and serve a function in my life. This winter, I wore the same five or six tops in different ways and I’ve never felt like I’ve gotten more purpose out my clothing. I can still express myself and feel comfortable without having excess.
The key when it comes to building a sustainable wardrobe is investing — investing thought into buying only the things we need or truly love, investing money into higher quality things at times, and always investing time into caring for them. It’s not an overnight process and it doesn’t necessarily require a financial investment by replacing all your clothing with sustainable alternatives. In fact, there are ways to make your closet more environmentally friendly that are free… By simply using your existing clothing longer and donating the clothes you want to let go you are reducing waste!
Some other tips for getting started:
Stick to staples.
Curate a list of things you want and need in a wardrobe and make those your priority when you shop.
What makes you most comfortable and confident? What can function for both work and casual wear?
Base your staples on these answers.
Make a wishlist of pieces (whats missing from your staples list) to be on the lookout for instead of going shopping blindly. I have a short list of things my wardrobe lacks and I look for them whenever I’m out and about or browsing new arrivals online.
For example, my spring staples include high waisted denim, wide leg pants, a few jumpsuits, basic tees, my birkenstocks, and a canvas jacket. My current wishlist includes slip on sneakers, and overalls.
Embrace the hunt.
Take the time to search for the right piece and don’t settle unless something is exactly what you’re looking for. It may take some time, but finally finding what you were imagining is the best feeling!
Example: This winter, I was searching high and low for a sherpa jacket for months. I settled on a sherpa pullover and not two weeks later, a company I adore launched a sherpa jacket in the exact style and color I was looking for (for less money).
Be honest with yourself when you’re deciding on buying something.
When I’m shopping, I ask myself: Will I wear this more than once? Is this unlike any of my other clothing? Do I already have something to wear it with, or will I need to also buy something to pair it with?
These questions are the reason why my wardrobe is 1/3 jumpsuits!
Pay attention to the company values, not just the price.
Know that a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality or that something is sustainably made. Similarly, a lower price doesn’t always mean it’s ‘cheap’ quality and that the people who made the garment didn’t get paid well. Do your research on the brand’s environmental commitments and materials often highlighted on their website and social media. A company that is doing things right wants you to know about it!
Shopping in person when possible.
Not only is it really the best way to feel the material, try it on and know without a doubt that you love it, but shopping in person also reduces carbon emissions! A garment usually travels less to get to the store than it does to get to your house.
Care for your clothing properly.
This is adulting 101 but even I’m guilty of sometimes throwing everything in the dryer instead of hanging delicates. Paying attention to the care instructions keeps your clothes nicer longer by preventing pilling and shrinking. Love your clothes so they love you back for longer!
Get thrifty.
Thrift stores are a great place to search for items on your wishlist especially if you’re into vintage clothing! You often save money and give a new life to an older piece that already has built in character.
Donate your lightly loved pieces to a new home.
If you’ve had a sweater hanging in your closet or a shirt stuffed in the back of your drawer for a while now, it may be time to let it go!
You never know who could be looking for what you’ve grown tired of. You could be giving someone else that feeling of joy when they find the perfect piece! By donating instead of tossing it, you’re recycling it to a new home where it can be loved and worn as new!
Organize a clothing exchange with friends with similar styles!
This is a great blend of the previous two tips. Bring gently used pieces to swap instead of donating and leave with a few new pieces for yourself!
Raid Mom and Dad’s closet (with permission).
You can ask any older relatives if they have any clothes in storage they’d want to part with. My most complimented articles of clothing are two amazing oversized sweaters from my dad and great high waisted denim from my mom.
While, I still browse the clothing Target every time I visit, I’ve been focusing most of my spending on sustainable companies when I can. I’m really passionate about voting with my dollar when I grocery shop or purchase body care because I feel strongly that the more we support and demand higher quality standards from companies, the cheaper and more accessible they’ll be down the road. It’s no surprise then, that I have a few sustainable companies that I try to support when I do shop for clothing. Because I have a tight budget, I follow brands on social media to look for sales, join their email lists and save up for specific items. I also find that the more time I dedicate to saving or searching for something, the more I will love it when it’s finally mine!
When we are able to support companies who are paying their employees fairly and make an effort to not only minimize their carbon footprint but actually improve the environment as a whole, we should!
A few companies making an effort to help the planet:
Madewell for clothing, they partner with Fair Trade USA to ensure ethical work conditions and have an on-going recyclable denim project where you can recycle old denim and receive a discount on a new pair
Girlfriend for activewear. Everything is made from recycled water bottles and they are transparent with every step of their process. They also partner with Econyl which works to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans. The quality is also unbelievable - I’ve had a pair of leggings that I’ve worn almost weekly for four years with not a single pill! They’re more affordable than Lululemon so if you’re in the market for athletic wear, why not give them a try?
Allbirds for sneakers. They use ZQ Merino wool which is held at a high standard for farming practices, animal welfare and land management. Using wool vs creating synthetic fibers cuts down energy use by 60%. They also use recycled plastic and cardboard for shoe laces and packaging. I own the lounger slides and they feel like slippers!
Rothy’s for flats and loafers. They use recycled water bottles to make shoes. They are washable and come in a variety of versatile colors and styles. They are quite a financial investment so I do not have a pair but probably will in the future. One of my friends also has these and they are a staple for her.
Nisolo for leather shoes and goods. They provide a living wage to their makers in Peru and are B Corp certified (awarded to companied who “meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency”; for more info, visit their website). They have really gorgeous shoes that I hope to one day own a pair of.
Mary’s Peak hike, Corvallis, Oregon
If it’s not in your budget, don’t feel like you have to only purchase shoes and yoga pants made exclusively from recycled water bottles in order to be eco-friendly. I also don’t want you to feel shamed for shopping at fast fashion stores. If you love a dress that you got from Zara and wear it constantly, there is nothing wrong with that! I have many things from Target that I love and wear often. But I also think making intentional purchases holds a lot of power. You can consider it as an investment in the future, or a vote towards the changes you want to see in the world. When we are able to support companies who are paying their employees fairly and make an effort to not only minimize their carbon footprint but actually improve the environment as a whole, we should! When I first learned about fast fashion, I really had never considered that excess clothing could end up in a landfill when there are so many people who are in need. The ugly truth is that it does but there are ways we can contribute towards a change. You can buy from sustainable clothing companies, thrift and donate or you can simply love, use, care for, and then donate whatever clothing you already have.
Happy Earth Day, friends! I hope this post inspires you to consider where your clothes come from and how you can contribute to a more sustainable future in fashion. Here’s to the small changes we can make on our own and to companies making big changes towards improving the health of our planet!
