Building a Sustainable Wardrobe
BY MARINA DELUCA, GROUP FOR THE EAST END ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATE
I have been obsessed with clothing, shoes, and all things fashion my entire life. At the same time, I have been passionate about the environment, and let me tell you, those things do not go hand-in-hand. The fashion industry is notoriously one of the most wasteful and polluting industries out there. It makes up 10% of all carbon emissions, is estimated to use 1.5 trillion liters of water annually, and mismanages wastewater – leading to toxic chemicals in waterways. The industry is a significant contributor to our growing microplastic problem and produces massive quantities of textile waste. Anyway, you get the picture, but the better question is, what do we do about it?
Living a sustainable lifestyle can seem daunting, but you do not need to be perfect to be sustainable and make a difference. Building a sustainable wardrobe does not mean that you cannot buy that super trendy, cheap hat that you will never wear again. It just means not buying the shoes, bag, dress, and hairclips that go with it. It also does not mean you need to go bankrupt buying from expensive, fully sustainable brands. It is important to remember that consumers have the power to drive corporations to do better. The more conscious we are in our purchases and the more changes we make that are better for the planet, the more companies are driven towards change. Individual actions add up and can lead to a big difference – so let’s fight fashion.
Thrifting has become very trendy recently as a more sustainable way to purchase clothes, but we should remember that for some, thrifting is not a choice but rather a necessity. There are plenty of clothes to go around, but we should be conscious of our privileges to be more empathetic to others. Along with general thrift stores, there are also consignment shops, vintage stores, and online variations such as Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and more. These options are better for the planet because you purchase clothes that already exist and keep old or unwanted clothing out of the landfill. You can also donate or resell items that you no longer love. All of these actions help to keep clothing out of the landfill.
If you are a fashion nut like me, and as much as you might like to, you are not finding that perfect pair of pattern pants in a thrift store; it is okay to buy a trendy piece – but keep these questions in mind…
What are the materials – will it pill? Fall apart? Or is it built to last?
Does this piece speak to me? Or do I just want to be on-trend? I try to buy pieces that I love so much that I will keep wearing them long after the trend disappears. This can actually be a great way to build your signature style! But if the item does not meet these standards, put it back on the rack!
How well does this item fit me? If an item appears to be tailor-made for you, it is something worth walking away with. But if it is a little too loose or too tight, look elsewhere. Aim to buy clothes that make you feel like they were tailored to your body; otherwise, they aren’t worth it and will end up in the back of your closet.
Most of us still utilize fast fashion as it is affordable and accessible. However, rather than buying all our clothes from these vendors, we can choose to buy less. Out of all the clothes I purchase, I try to allow 25 – 30% of them to come from fast fashion vendors and opt for pieces that I will use for a long time, not just for one season. The goal isn’t to avoid buying from these companies altogether but to cut down on how much we buy from them and take our hard-earned cash elsewhere. If all of us in the United States bought 10 % fewer items from fast fashion, these companies would be driven to make changes.
The next step is investing in staples; these are the clothing items you wear all the time - a perfect pair of jeans or your go-to white tee shirt. They can vary from person to person, but my most worn items are jackets, denim, bathing suits, and hoodies. For these items, I save up and buy them from high-quality, sustainable brands. Take a look at your wardrobe and ask yourself, what do you wear most often – then consider saving to purchase these items from a sustainable and ethical company. When making the investment in an expensive, sustainable piece, I recommend choosing an item you will get extensive use from. Also, opt for clothing that will not go out of style anytime soon and is built to last. Not only does this give the item long-term durability, but it can also provide resale value if you choose to sell the item in the future. This will make you feel like your investment paid off in more ways than just doing the right thing.
Lastly, using these three pillars, it is crucial to think about your individual style. What do you love, and what do you hate? Both on the hanger, and more importantly, on your body. By thinking about this, you can be more thoughtful in your purchases. Rather than buying a new wardrobe every season, buy items that add to the foundation you have already built that you love wearing. Fashion should be about self-love, individuality, and build your natural confidence (even though every store dressing room might do otherwise). You can fight back against this by learning what kinds of clothes you love and intentionally seeking those items out. It will help you become a more sustainable shopper and build a wardrobe that makes you feel fantastic, all while helping the planet too!