How To Incorporate Sustainable Fashion Into Your Life

Sustainable Fashion has become an ever increasing trend in the fashion industry allowing consumers to be socially and environmentally conscious when buying clothes. Here are some quick ways to be more sustainable in your everyday wardrobe.

Colleen Azimi

fashion · 3 min

Sustainable Fashion is clothing, accessories, and textiles that are produced and marketing in an environmentally and socio-economic way.

This means "continuous work to improve all stages of the product’s life cycle, from design, raw material production, manufacturing, transport, storage, marketing, and final sale, to use, reuse, repair, remake and recycling of the product and its components".

Even though sustainable fashion seems like a new thing, the idea of making the clothes we wear more sustainable has been around since the 1960s, with the publication of renowned environmentalist Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring. In her book, Carson exposes the widespread pollution from the use of agricultural chemicals like pesticides.

These chemicals are used widely on the raw materials that make up fashion like cotton. However, it was in the 1990s when sustainable fashion took a front seat in the talk about how to be more environmentally conscious. Companies like Patagonia and ESPRIT took the lead to illustrate the "eco-fashion" as it was called then, can be done and popular to the consumer to purchase.

Pieces of clothing with leaves and branches laid on top

Since then, sustainable fashion has become more popular in the industry with numerous large brand companies following in the footsteps of previous companies.

Here are some ways that the average fashion consumer can incorporate sustainable fashion into their lives.

1. Try Thrifting

Purchasing clothes second-hand or "thrifting" is an easy and great way to start incorporating sustainable fashion. Checking out your local GoodWill or vintage clothing shop for clothes can be a cool way to create a unique style of your own while reducing the impact of new clothing production.

2. Recycling your old clothing

Similar to second-hand, consumers can go through their own closets to recycle old clothing and accessories into new pieces. Whether you have a silk scarf that isn't cutting it as a scarf or a pair of earrings that are not in style anymore, you can recycle these pieces to give them new life in your wardrobe. Maybe use the scarf as a new top or bathing suit cover with a few tying tricks or use the jewels in the earrings as a new take on those old pair of shoes you have. Imagination is key in recycling old clothing but it allows you to re-purpose your clothes, while also making your fashion choices more sustainable.

3. Slow Fashion

Slow fashion basically means sticking with the clothes you have for long periods of time between purchasing new clothes. Many stylists argue that this can be the toughest one because our tastes change all the time. Try this sustainable fashion with the basics in your closet that you are not going to be tempted to change out so frequently. For example, find good quality pieces for t-shirts, pants, or blazers that are versatile, while also sustaining time. Slow fashion also pertains to rips and tears, instead of throwing it out, try getting it repaired first.

4. Sustainable fashion-minded companies

With more and more companies going sustainable, it has become easier for you, the consumer to incorporate sustainable fashion into your everyday life. Aside from long-standing sustainable companies like Patagonia and ESPRIT, on-trend stores like H&M, Rothys, Levi's, and Eileen Fisher, are all committing to being more environmentally and socio-economic sustainable in their manufacturing practices while making clothes.

Sustainable fashion in the past might have seemed like something that was hard to reach, but now with more ways to be more sustainable through how we interact with fashion as well as buy it, the everyday consumer can now feel good about where their clothing is coming from and how it is being produced.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2020/02/24/11-fashion-companies-leading-the-way-in-sustainability/#2ccb26d96dba

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Opinions and Perspectives

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Laurel_Sheen 3 years ago

Never thought about the full lifecycle of my clothes before. This really puts things in perspective.

MindfulMoves 3 years ago

Still learning but articles like this make sustainable fashion feel more approachable.

Aurora_C 3 years ago

My local thrift stores have really stepped up their game lately. Finding some amazing pieces.

Helena_Hope 3 years ago

The history of sustainable fashion is fascinating. Shows how long these issues have been recognized.

Mindful-Beauty_24 3 years ago

Working on building a capsule wardrobe has really changed how I think about fashion.

Mindful-Moves_365 3 years ago

Sustainable fashion is not just about the environment its about treating workers fairly too.

Style-Inspo 4 years ago

Finally learning to love my clothes longer instead of always chasing trends.

GoalGetter_Mindset_28 4 years ago

The link between agricultural practices and fashion is often overlooked. Great that the article addressed this.

Aspen_Starlit 4 years ago

It's encouraging to see how many ways we can make a difference with our fashion choices.

NoelleH 4 years ago

Appreciate the practical tips but wish there was more about sustainable accessories too.

Glamorous-Muse 4 years ago

Been shopping my own closet lately and finding pieces I forgot I had. Like getting new clothes without spending money!

FitnessWithIntention 4 years ago

The connection between pesticides and fashion isn't made often enough. Thanks for highlighting that.

Purely-You_555 4 years ago

Amazing how creative you can get with old clothes when you put your mind to it.

Inner-Calm_Unlocked_555 4 years ago

Just realized how many clothes I own that I rarely wear. Time for a mindful closet clean-out.

Evelyn_Clark 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned rental services. They're another great way to be sustainable with fashion.

Kenzie_Solar 4 years ago

Finding good sustainable basics has been a game changer for my wardrobe.

Sophie_Evans 4 years ago

Remember when sustainable fashion meant hemp everything? We've come such a long way!

The_Sartorialist 4 years ago

Started researching where my clothes come from. It's eye-opening and sometimes disturbing.

ChelseaB 4 years ago

The idea of recycling jewelry is genius! Just updated some old boots with vintage brooch pins.

Veronica99 4 years ago

Love that more mainstream brands are getting on board but worry about greenwashing. Need more transparency in the industry.

FitnessWith_Intention_101 4 years ago

Sustainable fashion seemed daunting at first but these small steps make it feel more achievable.

Isla_Rae 4 years ago

Been trying to buy only natural fibers lately. Synthetic materials releasing microplastics in the wash really concerns me.

Thriving-Lifestyle_42 4 years ago

The point about repairing clothes is so important. We've lost that mindset of maintaining what we own.

KaitlynX 4 years ago

Learning to mix and match what I already own has made me realize I don't need nearly as many clothes as I thought.

Ariana_Light 4 years ago

Would love to see more information about sustainable textile innovations. That's where real change could happen.

TheCozyMinimalist 4 years ago

The stigma around second-hand clothing needs to go. Some of my favorite pieces were previously loved by someone else.

Balanced-Bites_X 4 years ago

I've started looking at price per wear instead of just the initial cost. Really changes perspective on clothing investments.

Casual-Edge 4 years ago

Interesting to see how the conversation around sustainable fashion has evolved since the 1990s.

Amira-Fox 4 years ago

Being sustainable with fashion doesn't mean looking boring. Some of my most complimented outfits are thrifted!

TheGood-Life_Vibes_101 4 years ago

The article makes good points about basics being a good starting point for slow fashion. My plain white tees get so much wear.

GabriellaK 4 years ago

I struggle with finding sustainable options for workout wear. Any suggestions?

ElleryJ 4 years ago

Anyone else notice how vintage clothing often has better quality construction than modern pieces?

ReduceReuseThrive 4 years ago

The tip about repurposing silk scarves is brilliant. Just transformed an old scarf into a beautiful top last weekend.

Jemma_Star 4 years ago

Never realized ESPRIT was an early adopter of sustainable practices. Interesting bit of fashion history there.

UnstoppableYou 4 years ago

Learning to properly care for my clothes has made them last so much longer. Quality over quantity really is the way to go.

Boho_Chic_88 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned more about the social impact of fast fashion. The human cost is just as important as environmental concerns.

Hannah-Rogers 4 years ago

I've been doing clothing swaps with friends. Great way to refresh your wardrobe without buying new things.

SacredSerenity 4 years ago

Started following some sustainable fashion influencers for inspiration. Amazing how creative you can be with a capsule wardrobe.

SmileMoreLiveMore 4 years ago

Wish more people knew about the environmental impact of fashion. It's actually one of the most polluting industries.

Casual_Chic 4 years ago

The slow fashion concept makes so much sense. Why are we constantly buying new clothes when our old ones are still perfectly good?

Cassidy_Dunn 4 years ago

I've found some of my favorite pieces at thrift stores. It takes patience but the hunt is half the fun.

LaniM 4 years ago

Love the suggestion about recycling jewelry into shoe accessories. Never thought of that before!

BrynleeJ 4 years ago

Reading about the chemicals used in cotton production really opened my eyes. No wonder organic cotton costs more.

Angelica_Light 4 years ago

Just started my sustainable fashion journey and these tips are really helpful. Taking it one step at a time.

Kennedy 4 years ago

The impact of pesticides on cotton production is shocking. We rarely think about the environmental cost of growing fashion materials.

Aubrey_Gray 4 years ago

I've started a one in one out policy with my wardrobe. Makes me really think before buying something new.

Bessie_Blossom 4 years ago

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the sustainability information. It's hard to know which brands are genuinely committed versus just greenwashing.

Evelyn_Love99 4 years ago

Anyone tried Rothys? Been curious about their recycled plastic bottle shoes but wondering if they're worth the investment.

Marie_Whisper 4 years ago

Actually surprised to learn about Levi's sustainability efforts. Nice to see such an iconic brand taking responsibility.

DressTo_Impress 4 years ago

The part about repairing clothes instead of throwing them away is so important. My grandmother taught me basic sewing skills and they've saved me so much money.

Olivia 4 years ago

I appreciate how the article breaks down practical ways to be more sustainable. Small changes really do add up.

Happiness_Unlocked_07 4 years ago

Patagonia has always been a favorite of mine. Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond just marketing it's built into their business model.

Sophia23 4 years ago

My biggest challenge is resisting trend-based purchases. Social media makes it so tempting to buy new styles constantly.

SabineM 4 years ago

The prices might be higher upfront, but I've found that my sustainable pieces last so much longer than fast fashion. It actually saves money in the long run.

Adeline_Skies 4 years ago

I find it fascinating that sustainable fashion has roots going back to the 1960s. Rachel Carson was truly ahead of her time with Silent Spring.

Eloise_Sunset 4 years ago

Does anyone else struggle with the higher prices of sustainable fashion brands? I want to support them, but my budget doesn't always allow it.

WellnessVision 4 years ago

I started recycling my old jeans into shorts and bags. It's surprising how creative you can get with clothes you thought were ready for the bin!

CallieB 4 years ago

The article mentions H&M as sustainable, but let's be real here. Fast fashion companies claiming to be sustainable while producing massive quantities of clothing seems contradictory to me.

Slay_Season 4 years ago

Thrifting has become my weekend hobby! Found some amazing vintage pieces that you just can't get in regular stores. Plus, it feels good knowing I'm giving these clothes a second life.

Ruby-Fisher 4 years ago

I've been trying to be more mindful about my fashion choices lately. The idea of slow fashion really resonates with me. It's amazing how much money I've saved by focusing on quality basics that last longer.