Guest Blog originally from Porch.com by Adriana Lopez

How can you make a change?

There are some things you can do to develop a more sustainable wardrobe, including:

• Find out where your clothes come from Determine the source of your clothing including where it’s made, what type of materials are used, and if possible, the company’s manufacturing process. Knowing the source of your clothing is the first step toward making better purchasing choices.

• Analyze the brands you buy: Take a closer look at your wardrobe and your favorite brands. Find out where their clothes are made. Are they exploiting workers? Are they using wasteful or recyclable materials? How much does their clothing contaminate the environment? When you learn more about the clothes you love, you can make smarter choices for the future by choosing eco-friendly brands.

• Make smart choices: Reduce your consumption of clothing by wearing what you already have as much as possible before buying something new. Recycle your old clothing if possible so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. Repair ripped or torn clothing by sewing it back together before you throw it out. Resell clothing you no longer want or need so that someone else can enjoy wearing it. Donate clothing to local charities and to people in need.

Buying sustainable clothing and reducing your fashion carbon footprint

Here are a few ways you can purchase sustainable clothing while reducing your carbon footprint:

• Know what to look for in a brand: Find out what types of manufacturing processes are best, what brands offer items made of sustainable materials, and what they’re doing to help the environment. Some brands offer programs where you can return used clothes for a store credit or ensure that they go back into the production cycle rather than in the trash.

• Avoid greenwashing: The term “greenwashing” refers to companies that claim to be eco-friendly but they’re actually not following the proper processes. Brands should be open and honest, offering their sustainability reports to consumers. If a brand uses eco-friendly packaging but their clothing isn’t sustainable, that’s also greenwashing. Even luxury brands can be guilty. For example, several years ago, the designer Burberry burned unused clothing, bags, and cosmetics rather than selling them at a discount or giving it away. Use websites like Environmental Working Group, Rank a Brand, and the Fashion Transparency Index to help you find a legitimate brand that sells sustainable clothing.

• Choose eco-friendly fashion materials: Look for products made with eco-friendly fabrics and other materials. Things like linen, organic cotton, and dyes made of squid ink are just some examples. Hemp is another excellent choice that is gaining popularity in the fashion world.

Eco clothing buying guide and tips

Keep these clothes buying and eco-fashion tips in mind when shopping for a new wardrobe.

• Capsule Wardrobe: A capsule wardrobe includes versatile, limited items of clothing that you can mix and match to create different looks. This is a great way to reduce your consumption while getting the most use out of the clothes you already have in your closet.

• Buy durable clothing; Invest in more durable, high-quality clothing that will last. It may cost more upfront, but you’ll get a lot more use and enjoyment out of the items you buy.

• Purchase second-hand clothing: Look for new clothes at thrift stores, vintage clothing stores, and garage sales. It’s a great way to find unique pieces at a low price without buying something new.

• Discover sustainable clothing brands: Seek out eco-friendly, sustainable clothing brands. Some examples include Girlfriend Collective, Patagonia, and Cotopaxi, just to name a few. Over time, you’ll learn how to spot authentic sustainable brands versus those that are greenwashing.

• Make your own clothes: Learn how to knit and sew so you can make your own clothes. You can even take older pieces and turn them into something unique and new.

• Care for your clothes: Take proper care of the clothing you already have. Learn how to wash and clean different fabrics the right way and how to find some quality, eco-friendly detergents. Try to wash your clothes less often and use the cold cycle, and air dry them on a clothesline or rack whenever possible. Not only will this extend the life of your clothes, but it will reduce your carbon footprint, too.

• Only buy clothes that spark joy: As Marie Kondo says, you should only have items that “spark joy.” Try to avoid impulse purchases and instead, invest your money into pieces that you absolutely love and know you’ll wear for a long time.

Is Eco-Fashion only for the rich?

You may think that buying eco-fashion is just for the rich, but there are ways to find amazing eco-friendly clothes at an affordable price.

How expensive are eco clothes? Many sustainable brands charge a higher price because they produce less clothing or have smaller operations. It also costs more in general to produce eco-friendly products. While some eco-fashion brands are high-end, others offer their products to consumers at prices that are closely in line with less sustainable competitors. You can find some eco clothes second-hand to get them at a lower price too. Shop sale events and look for discount codes to get eco-friendly clothes for less.

Why are they worth it? While this clothing may cost more upfront, it tends to last longer which means you’re getting more for your money and the cost is reduced compared to the number of times you wear it. It also may cost more because the company is paying a living wage. If you’re concerned about the ethics of fast fashion, then paying more money is worth it to ensure that workers are getting paid a reasonable salary. The cost of sustainable materials also tends to be higher, since these materials are produced in smaller batches and require more work to make. Overall, the price is a small one to pay if you’re concerned about the harmful effects of fast fashion.

Looking at the things we buy and realizing that we’re causing more damage than we realize is the first step toward making a positive change. When you learn about the harmful effects of fast fashion and know what to look for, you can start to make smarter purchasing decisions. Consider starting a capsule wardrobe, looking for secondhand clothing, and only buying products from truly sustainable brands, so you can make a difference. Together, we can all move to a more sustainable lifestyle!