The top 5 things you need to do to be more sustainable
- Daniela Dias
- Aug 3, 2022
- 3 min read
The rise of slow fashion
Slow Fashion is a powerful term coined by Kate Fletcher of the Centre of Sustainable Fashion. The term came from the slow food movement when Kate saw that the fashion world needed to slow down.
So what is its definition?
Slow fashion is making high-quality, long-lasting garments; focusing on reducing consumption and production. Much like sustainable fashion, it advocates for the fair treatment of workers, animals and its impact on the planet.
Pre-Industrial Revolution, clothes production and sources were local. The clothes were durable and bought according to needs. But during the rise of fast fashion in the 2000s, produced to fit a trend and meet the increased demand of a consumer-hungry society. With about 100 billion pieces of clothing produced worldwide each year; the United State alone produces 15 million tons of wasted, used textiles.
With these alarming high figures, consumers are now trying to be more conscious. More than ever, people are trying to become more aware of what they consume on a daily basis. There is now an increasing demand for higher sustainability and ethical practices.
According to Lyst, the largest global fashion search platform, "sustainability in fashion" received 27,000 searches each month in 2019. This number increased to 32,000 in 2020, predicted to see another rise.
So to be part of the group of people who want to make a good impact on future generations, here are the top 5 five things you need to do to be more sustainable:
1. Invest in High-quality garments.
This will not only help you be more fashion-conscious but also save money in the long term. The average adult (ages 25-34) spend about $161 per month on clothes. That high-quality shirt created with care will always outlive the cheap pieces in your wardrobe. This is because cheap garments will need replacement often since they are not durable. High-quality clothes will also encourage you to wear them more often. Furthermore, you'll take better care of a high-quality piece because it hurt your pocket.
2. Go Minimalist.
You can Marie Kondo your whole closet and strip back all the unnecessary pieces in it. An organised capsule wardr
obe that is season-less, versatile, and practical, will be a guaranteed way to always love what you are wearing. At the same time, 57% of women believe that an organised closet makes it easier and quicker to find what they need.
3. Don't impulse buy.
We have all been there. Waking up early to rush to the shop on Black Fridays, planning an entire Boxing Day trip, or even going ham on Cyber Monday. More often than not, overspending on things we won't use, want later, and most importantly, need. Just like you shouldn't go food shopping on an empty stomach, you shouldn't go shopping without a plan. Making a list of the items you need and want before heading to the shops, will help you stay on track and avoid impulse buying. Adding a budget to it or even leaving the house with a certain amount of money can also help. Trust me, you will leave the shops feeling not only accomplished, but your wallet will also thank you.
4. Sell, Repair, Repurpose, Donate.
If you can't afford to do any of the tips before, this is the most important one you should do. Just like change starts within, being sustainable comes from your current closet. Open it up and dissect all the pieces in it. Decide whether those asymmetrical, polka-dot trousers are worth it. Learn how to ecologically recycle them, transform them into shorts, or sell them. Do anything but throw them away as 75% of clothes end up in landfills. Often the best method is to donate them to charity since one man's trash can be another man's treasure. Just because you can’t give that piece of clothing love, it doesn’t mean it is unlovable.
5. Use the Good on You website tool.
Good on You is a website you can use to research which brands are ethical and ecological. The website rates a brand's impact on people, the environment, and animals. They have articles and a glossary of key fashion terms, to bring awareness and education to be more fashion-conscious. So before you buy from a brand, search them up and judge whether you still want to buy from them. That way you can continue to or start to support the brands that align with your values.
We are currently at a point in human history, where the planet’s health is at risk. Change is needed in immediate and large quantities to be able to combat the current issues we are facing. Regardless of where you are in your sustainability journey, what actions you start today will leave a print on how future generations will live. The time to act is now. Shop with a conscience.
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