This dress has easily been one of my most worn items this year.
Over the last couple of years I’ve been thinking a lot more about sustainability and how my love of fashion can be more sustainable. I’m a fashion lover through and through. From making my family sit through “fashion parades” whenever I got new clothes as a kid, through to sharing my style on my blog and Instagram as an adult, I’ve always loved clothes. The way I dress expresses my style, my personality, my mood… and it’s fun!
I’ve been a fashion writer and internet oversharer for more than ten years now, and after reading books like Consumed by Aja Barber and talking at length with friends online, I realised that some of the ways I’ve been talking about fashion and style are not sustainable (either for me or for the planet). Did you know that over 100 billion garments are made every year? I want to limit how much I’m contributing to that over-consumption, while still sharing what I’m passionate about.
Clothing hauls are a great example. You might have noticed that a few years ago (back near the start of 2020), I stopped sharing these. I’d originally started sharing hauls because brands didn’t show what their clothes looked like on bodies like mine. It was a helpful resource in terms of figuring out fit – especially if, like me, you have lipoedema which can make getting a good fit extra challenging. Most brands still don’t show their clothes on bodies like mine, but I came to the realisation that this is not my problem to provide a solution to for free. Those brands should be taking responsibility for showing their clothing on bodies that represent the sizes they offer, not just their smallest size.
These hauls are also environmentally and financially unsustainable. Say I did one “haul” a week with around five items of clothing – that would end up being 260 items of clothing a year. It’s definitely pricey and who needs that many clothes? I wouldn’t have a chance to wear most of those items more than once or twice – how wasteful!
So I took a break from sharing hauls, and I’ve been sharing more about how I style certain items (either things that I’ve purchased, or clothes that I’ve borrowed from brands). But I haven’t really talked about sustainable fashion. I decided that if I wanted to talk more about sustainability and fashion, I should start with being more conscious about my purchasing. When my friend Kate (who you might know as Ethically Kate) mentioned at the end of last year that she was doing a wardrobe freeze for 2022, I was inspired. Kate decided she was not adding any more clothes to her wardrobe. I didn’t go quite that far, but I did vow to be more conscious of my purchasing habits.
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How do you create a sustainable wardrobe?
With this discussion comes an immense amount of privilege – being able to afford/access options that aren’t fast fashion, finding clothes that fit you, the time it takes to research options. Not everyone has those options. But I’m fortunate, I do. So I’m trying to do better. Here’s a few things I’m doing to create a more sustainable wardrobe.
Wear what you already have
Unsurprisingly, wearing the things that you already have is the best option. In her book Better, Bolder, Different, Kate Hall talks about doing a wardrobe audit, and this is really what this year has been about for me. One big long wardrobe audit. I have a lot of clothes, but which ones do I really love wearing? Over this year I’ve figured out which things I reach for over and over again, what I have double ups of, and what I really could do without.
Shop less
In 2022 I’ve bought bras and underwear (necessary purchases to replace things that no longer fit), one shirt and one jumper (both of those were because it was extra cold this winter and the options I had weren’t warm enough). I’ve only purchased things I need, rather than shopping to get a dopamine hit or to keep up with trends. It definitely helps that I hate the current revival of 90’s fashion, but I have also seen a lot of things I have wanted to buy. But did I need them? Mostly no. So I didn’t buy them.
Shopping less often also means saving money – either to use on other things (like the rising cost of basic life essentials) or to save up for clothes that might cost a bit more but will last longer.
Rent or borrow
Borrowing from friends or family is a great option if you need something as a one off. There’s also the option of hiring clothing – there are a few places out there now that have great plus size options! I haven’t needed to hire anything yet, but have borrowed from friends and family and let others borrow my clothes in return.
Pre-loved clothes
If you do need to buy something new, can you get it from an op shop/thrift store/charity shop? How about TradeMe, Facebook Marketplace or from buy/sell groups? Clothing swaps? Personally, I find it very rare that I find something in my size and style at an op shop but there may be some gems near you so it always pays to check. TradeMe, Facebook Marketplace, Buy/sell groups and clothing swaps have been where I’ve found some of my fave pieces.
On the flip side, if you’re clearing out your wardrobe, make sure any clothes that are in great condition that you’re no longer wearing go to new homes. You can either onsell them or donate them (if donating them, make sure you check out this guide to donating things responsibly!), or host a clothing swap! I usually do a mix of all these things.
Do your research
If I’m purchasing something brand new, I’m going to be a lot more thoughtful in what I buy and where I buy it from. I prefer to shop with small NZ and Australian businesses where I can, especially ones whose clothes are locally made.
There’s so much to consider in regards to sustainable fashion – I’ve really only talked about slowing down my purchasing habits and being more conscious of when and where I shop, but maybe that’s something to explore in another post. For example, are the clothes themselves made in a way that is sustainable for the environment? What are they made from? Who makes my clothes? Are they paid fairly? Fast fashion isn’t my jam for both ethical and environmental reasons, so I try to do my best to find companies who align with my values.
Do you have any other tips for creating a sustainable wardrobe?
