Fall is approaching, which means many of us will be excited to update our wardrobes and make room for something new and trendy. However, it makes us very sad to see how trends change almost every month and how much of a negative impact it has on our planet. We believe that we all should become more self-conscious of the actions that we take and the effect they have on the environment, which is why we decided to discuss about a few simple eco-friendly ways on how you can update your wardrobe for the next season:
Look through your closet.
Before you run out to the store and buy a bunch of new clothes, go through your closet and get rid of everything you don’t like or you’re not planning on wearing anymore. This will help you to understand what exactly you are missing from your closet and what pieces you really need to get. If you want to change your style, create an inspiration board with the items you’d like to purchase and different ways to combine them with other clothes. This way you will have enough time to think about what you really like and will be motivated to go and find certain items that you will definitely wear.
Donate and recycle
After decluttering your wardrobe, there will surely be lots of things that you will decide not to wear anymore. Don’t rush to toss them in the trash can as soon as you can, as fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries! Instead, choose a more eco-friendly method and donate or recycle everything that can still be useful to someone else. These clothes can come very handy for a variety of organizations, charities, and thrift stores such as Goodwill or Salvation Army that help people in need. If the clothes are too old, stained, or worn-out, consider taking them to the recycling centers. This way, you will make room for your new clothes in a sustainable manner.
Repair
After decluttering, donating, and recycling everything you could, make sure to fix those clothes that you still like and would love to wear, but need a little repairing. Learn to fix things like small holes, a broken zip, or a stained pair of jeans. Most of those can be easily mended at home and only take 5 minutes of your time and a Youtube video. If any of them, however, are unlikely to be restored, think of creative ways of upcycling them. Transform an old pair of jeans into shorts or make a cropped top out of a regular shirt. This will extend the life of your clothing, allowing you to enjoy it for longer.
Get the basics
Regardless of one’s fashion preferences, career, age, or lifestyle, there are some essential pieces of clothing that everybody should own. A pair of straight leg jeans, a white button-up shirt, a coat, a warm sweater, and many other items that can later be adjusted to your style, climate, or hobbies. These are the key components of a wardrobe and are the ones that you should get in the first place. There are lots of places where you can find them, mostly in second-hand or slow fashion stores, but if you’re looking for specific things, let’s say you want to purchase a classic authentic sweater with traditional patterns such as an Irish one, it is better to look for it online. You can spend many days searching for such an item in your own state or you can go to Tara Irish Clothing to find genuine Irish sweaters that will be delivered to you in just a couple of days. This way, you’ll save time and money and will get a sustainable piece of clothing made of 100% wool that will bring you joy for many years.
Invest
After you’ve finished everything we’ve discussed so far and you have a precise list of what you want to buy, don’t rush to the fast-fashion store. Instead, think about where you can find the certain pieces of clothing that you want. If you’re looking for a good pair of jeans, bear in mind that they’re made of sturdy denim that will last for years, which means there’s a good chance you’ll find them at your local thrift store. Make sure to pay attention to the fabrics and remember that natural materials such as cotton, wool, cashmere, or silk can be pricey, but will surely last for a lifetime.
