Fast fashion costs the environment as well as your pocket. Did you know that your shopping trip can contribute to water pollution and the use of toxic chemicals, as well as leading to higher levels of textile waste? Fast fashion clothing is made as cheaply as possible, so making the clothing ethical gets put on the back burner. It also means that the clothes are low quality, so have a short lifespan. This means we have to replace them often with other low quality clothing that won’t last five minutes. Before we know it, we’re trapped in a cycle. Adverts are constantly bombarding us with the aim to make us mindlessly consume and keep us in this rut. Here are five ways to stop treating clothes like they’re disposable and help you create an ethical wardrobe:
1. Assess What You Already Have
When you own so many clothes, it’s easy for some to get forgotten. Take a good look at your wardrobe and really see what you have. There’s probably a few neglected articles buried in the back that you didn’t even realise you still had. Mix and match your outfits to try and create some new looks and get more use out of what you already own. Discard anything you definitely won’t wear again so you can focus on what you will. Decluttering this space will help you to gain clarity on what you have. Once you’re clear on what you’ve got, you can fall in love with your wardrobe all over again.
2. Mend Any Damages
Just because the button has come off your favourite jeans or there’s a hole in your cosiest jumper, that doesn’t mean you have to part ways. Get crafty and find yourself a needle and thread to make your old clothes as good as new. If you’re particularly creative you can make an entire new outfit completely from scratch! This is a great solution for those of us who are a little more fussy and can never find what we want. You can use whatever fabric you like and tailor it to fit you like a glove. Your wardrobe will be completely unique and designed just for you.
3. Swap With A Friend
One girl’s charity shop bag is another girl’s bargain find. You may have some clothes that don’t fit you anymore or you’ve grown bored of that your friend has secretly had their eye on. Invite them to bring some of their unwanted outfits over and have a clothes-swapping party! This is a lovely way to get rid of old clothes while curating the wardrobe that you do want, and it won’t cost you a penny. Do this every few months and you’ll be consistently getting new clothes while making sure that your old ones go to a great new home, too.
4. Borrow/Rent One Time Outfits
There are some items that we just won’t wear again (think orange bridesmaid dress). Before you splurge on a fancy outfit that will only see the light of day once and spend the rest of its life withering away in your wardrobe, consider loaning one. If your friend has what you’re after, ask if they would mind you borrowing it. If this isn’t an option, maybe you need a more formal piece such as an evening gown, you can always rent something. Find a clothing rental store near you and head down there to pick out your perfect outfit. The best part is you can take it back once you’re done instead of having it taking up precious wardrobe space for the rest of its days.
5. Buy Second Hand
If you really must buy something new, opt for second hand purchases. Thrift stores, Facebook groups/Instagram pages or or online stores like eBay will have plenty of pre-loved options, and many of them will be barely worn. With fast fashion having harmful effects on the environment, as well as so many people eager to clear out their wardrobes, it makes sense to see if any of these hand-me-downs are your cup of tea. Second hand clothing is also a fraction of the price of buying new and you don’t have to compromise on quality or style.
