Stylish and Sustainable: Embracing Eco-Friendly Fashion

One of the misconceptions some have about eco-friendly fashion is that it is bland and boring, but the truth is that it’s what you make of it. How you go about it can prove that fashion could be both stylish and sustainable. There are several ways you can embrace eco-friendly fashion that could boost your look rather than hold it back in any way.

Learn revamping methods

Knowing how to revamp clothing is a big way to customise pieces to your preferences. For example, if you adore this baby tee collection from Bella + Canvas, one option for transforming one or more of the pieces is by screenprinting your custom designs onto them using eco-friendly ink. You could also use eco-friendly dye and a stencil.

Be open to trying eco-friendly fabrics

There are many types of eco-friendly fabrics that you may not yet have tried but could end up loving. For example, you are probably used to wearing cotton, but what about organic cotton? Many clothing pieces composed of eco-friendly materials are more costly than those that are not but consider them an investment in a (hopefully) better future for the fashion world.

Be open to wearing secondhand clothing

Quite a few people have no interest in wearing secondhand clothing because they feel it is dirty or already damaged. However, it is all about evaluating the clothing before purchasing it and properly washing it after buying it.

Let’s say you found a fabulous bomber jacket at a thrift store, and it does not have the original tags on it, signalling it is likely pre-worn. All you have to do is assess its condition, including the zipper, pockets, seams, and collar. Look for any flaws, including stains or frayed edges.

There are times you will find secondhand clothing with flaws, but they are imperfections that could easily get fixed, if not by you, then by a tailor and/or a dry cleaner. If you spot a flaw in a secondhand item while you are at the store, see if they will give you a discount on the current price of the item. However, keep in mind that some are willing to do it while others are not.

Become friendly with a tailor

Some people will toss out clothes that no longer fit, would look better restructured, or have rips, but these are often easy fixes for tailors. Having a tailor alter key pieces for you, such as jeans or chinos, when you first buy them can make a big difference in how they look and feel on you. Make sure it is a tailor you trust to do good work and not just someone who offers the best price.

Buy investment pieces

If you are trying to be more eco-friendly with your fashion choices, one way to do that is by focusing on the quality of the items you buy.

For example, it is unlikely you will purchase an expensive designer handbag and toss it on the floor when you walk in the door at the end of the day. These are items you buy, take care of, value, and do everything you can to make them last as long as possible. The items you purchase do not need to be expensive, but they should be of high quality and excellent pieces that start to form the base of your wardrobe.

Learn more about vintage styles

Many people wear what is currently in the stores with no knowledge of vintage fashions that can enhance their wardrobe. If you are wondering what gaining knowledge of past fashions has to do with being more eco-friendly with fashion choices, it is about how you shop and what you purchase.

For example, let’s say in your research, you discover a love of sneakers from the 80s. Rather than seeking out a brand new pair of sneakers, you might be inspired to search out 80s sneakers from online secondhand marketplaces and reinvent your personal style.

You could always do a general search if you love a particular item, like jeans, but narrowing down from the multitude of potential options could help you find pieces you really adore and want to add to your collection.

Know how to check for quality

Do not make the mistake of thinking that brand-new clothes equals quality. Some pieces currently on store hangers have seams ready to fall apart at the first sign of any pull or pressure.

When you take the time to check the integrity of the garments before buying them, it increases the chances you will not end up tossing them in the trash at some point. If you are going to spend your hard-earned money on clothes, whether they are new or secondhand, you should trust that they will hold up to the wear.

Understand clothing labels

Be honest; do you really know what all those symbols are on clothing labels? If you do not, don’t worry; you are not alone. Many will get clothes and throw them into the washing machine with everything else without even glancing at the labels.

This is one of the ways that your clothes–even high-quality ones–can get ruined and end up in the trash. For example, maybe you mix bleach in with a garment that has a “no bleach” symbol on the tag or put it in the washer when it is hand-washed only. Keep a list of clothing label symbols on hand so you know how to properly care for your items.

Being more eco-friendly with your fashion choices does not have to be an arduous task, and you do not have to do it all at once. Some simple steps, such as reading clothing labels and doing some research, can be easy starting points that anyone can do. You can gradually build up to more eco-friendly fashion choices that work best for you and your lifestyle.