The concept of recycling, reusing, and repurposing clothing isn’t new, but it wasn’t until later that thrift online shopping sites and sustainable fashion became fashionable.
People were initially drawn to secondhand shopping because of the reductions and availability of high-end things. People worldwide are becoming more conscious of their impact on the earth as we observe a trend toward consciousness.
It’s not easy to transition to this lifestyle, and changing people’s attitudes regarding fashion is a long-term process. People must not become disheartened and realize that every small step they take counts.
Image source: hanged top on brown and white clothes horse photo – Free Fashion Image on Unsplash
Here are a few easy methods to start recycling, reusing, and repurposing your wardrobe. All while saving the environment too!
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Key Requirements of Sustainable Fashion
Versatility
When you buy clothes, aim to purchase versatile ones. This means that you can use them casually, at parties, at fancy dinners, at work, etc.
If you only stick to one type of style, it will be hard to mix them with other clothes you might have.
We don’t want to look like a one-trick pony!
Neutrals
Select classic tops and bottoms that will never go out of style. These are your staples, including everything from a clean white button-down shirt to a well-fitted pair of pants to your little black dress.
Choose neutral colors like whites, blacks, and beiges for your color pallet.
Minimalist
If you’re new to minimalism or conscious consumerism, you might consider starting with a seasonal capsule wardrobe to ease into it. This encourages you to have a selected amount of items for a particular season.
Related: Minimalism List
Keep in mind that it might take a couple of years to create a capsule wardrobe that works for the entire year, and that’s okay.
For example, spring capsules might feature white jeans, a jacket for layering, different tees and tanks, and a couple of dresses for more formal occasions.
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Sustainable Materials
You can try using apps or looking up the company on Google to see how ethical a brand is before purchasing.
What you are looking for is to see how they actually get their materials from, if they use animal products to manufacture their clothes, and if they treat their workers with respect and do not exploit them.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Eco-friendly packaging reduces its environmental footprint over time, whether through the ingredients it employs, the manufacturing method, or reusability.
Most eco-friendly packaging fits more than one of the following criteria:
- Reduces waste
- Materials are recycled or biodegradable
- During manufacture, renewable energy is used
- Are customers and the environmentally safe
- Cost and performance requirements are met
Reusable
Many people lose track of what they own or have acquired previously.
Try to see each item in a fresh light, possibly by matching it with some new things you already own. If everything else fails, consider other uses for the clothes, such as the fabric.
Cleaning rags, for example, can be turned into reusable produce bags.
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Recyclable
Make sure you buy from local brands that are environmentally conscious. The environment and the manufacturers must be protected by their products and procedures.
Organic, recyclable, and biodegradable materials should be used by the brands you buy from.
They should be slow fashion brands as well. This means that they should take their time to create timeless, long-lasting clothing.
Repurpose
Repurposing gives an old item new life and avoids contributing to 11 million tons of textile trash in the United States.
Because you can’t always locate the garment you want in numerous sizes when you buy recycled or used, it’s essential to look beyond the garment.
Consider how you could change it to make it the thing of your dreams. Make those old pairs of jeans into fashionable denim shorts or those mid skirts into small skirts.
Why a Capsule Wardrobe is Ideal for Sustainability
While the capsule wardrobe encourages you to pare down your clothing, it also helps to slow down what you buy, which can diminish consumer demand and cause fast fashion firms to produce less.
Consumers who opt for a capsule wardrobe don’t feel compelled to keep up with trends because they select versatile pieces that can be turned into various looks throughout the year.
Image source: assorted-color apparels photo – Free Fashion Image on Unsplash
Audit Your Current Wardrobe
The first step in developing a fantastic capsule wardrobe is to conduct a closet audit. You need to carefully examine every item you own and determine what you wear frequently and never wear.
After you’ve done that and meditated a bit, you can ask yourself, “When was the last time I wore this?”.
A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn your clothes in the last six months, then you might need to consider donating, selling or repurposing them.
If you haven’t worn them in a few months, they aren’t an excellent addition to your capsule wardrobe.
If you have any questions, recommendations, or would like to partner with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Plan for the Seasons in Your Location
Rather than selecting very bright or only dull colors, choose the ideal colors that function for different seasons.
It’s preferable to stick to a color plan that includes base and accent colors appropriate for any season. Choose fabrics that aren’t affected by the seasons, such as lightweight cotton and linens.
If you live in a four-season climate, it’s best to keep only the clothing in season in your closet and put the rest in a box out of sight.
You should have four different capsule outfits per year due to this, with certain clothing items that you will keep and wear all year.
Shop High-Quality Sustainable Brands
Because you’ll be wearing the same clothing items more frequently, they should be of good quality to last.
Choose a high-quality fabric that doesn’t seem worn out after several wears and can handle multiple washes for your clothes.
Be careful to read each item’s maintenance instructions to guarantee that it lasts for years.
Image source: brown leather bag in shelf photo – Free Image on Unsplash
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
A white t-shirt, a few outfits that can be dressed down or up for special events, coats for layering during the colder months, and a few essential pieces are all must-haves for your own capsule wardrobe.
When creating your capsule wardrobe, keep these things in mind.
- Blue and black jeans are popular choices since they can be worn throughout the year and go with a range of shirts.
- A simple white shirt looks well with jeans, a skirt, or layered.
- Denim jackets are classic and perfect for layering.
- Layering with 1-2 tank tops can be beneficial.
- Wear crisp white shirts and blouses in neutral hues for business or formal functions.
- Date night calls for a little black dress.
- For a more formal occasion, a black midi skirt can be simply combined with graphic tees or blouses.
- Nude heels can be worn with a variety of outfits.
- White sneakers can be used with a variety of outfits.
- Low heel sandals can be used for both casual and formal occasions.
- Statement jewelry and scarves in a beige sweater
Embrace Sustainable Recycling Fashion
When switching to a capsule wardrobe, you’ll want to invest in high-quality pieces.
If you want to buy new clothes for this, look for ethical and ecological labels who make garments to last rather than quick fashion that just lasts a season.
Because a year-round capsule wardrobe limits impulse purchases, it can potentially save you hundreds of dollars while also helping you maintain a nice closet.
Looking for shoes, dresses, shirts, or accessories to match your new sustainable wardrobe? Check out our website, Hekka, to find what you need & more!
