If you’re either in the process of creating an ethical and sustainable wardrobe or you’re willing to change your existing one, you might find that it is no easy feat. You will have to stop wearing certain brands and may even not be able to try out every trend coming your way. So here are some tips to make this task a bit easier.

Shopping

Shopping | Image via Pixahive

The 30 wears test

When you’re buying a new item, ask yourself this; “Will I wear this more than 30 times?” if the answer is yes, go ahead and buy it because it is a worthy investment. However, if the answer is no, take some time to rethink your choice; that statement piece may be all the rage right now, but you could invest that amount in something else that is timeless and classic and of higher quality.

Be more informed

If you’re serious about building a sustainable wardrobe, you need to do your research and know where to shop. Harness the power of social media and look into more environmentally friendly online clothing stores, and you will get an idea of what styles you like and where to source them from. You can talk to them directly and see if the special piece you’re buying not only looks nice but also aligns with your values.

Change your attitudes about shopping

Although making new clothing items may entail a lot of carbon footprint, vintage clothing has none. You can shift your shopping towards vintage items or even thrift stores which is much more sustainable. You can also turn to rental fashion; although it is an unfamiliar concept the circular nature is not only sustainable but cost-effective in the long run.

Know where it comes from

Clothing stores such as Nils Store have handloom clothing lines made from Sri Lankan cotton which are environmentally friendly. You can do a bit of research and find out where the fabrics are coming from, how the raw material is sourced and the process of dressmaking as well before making a purchase. All you need to do is one simple Google search!