Sustainable Fashion 101: A Guide to Building a Conscious Wardrobe

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”, I am sure many girls and many guys too say this to themselves while getting ready. We are living in a world where looking good and smart is important to everyone. There are clothes for the gym or workout, then there is street wear, office or work wear, clothes for weddings, parties, and also pooja in temples. So to maintain so many looks one must have a pretty expansive wardrobe.  However these daily fashion choices extend far beyond our wardrobes. They ripple into the environment, affecting water supplies, carbon emissions, and even the livelihoods of garment workers all around the globe.

I have grown up in the fast fashion generation, which is all about overconsumption and hyper-disposability of clothing, which means we buy way too much and throw it away without thinking twice. Consider: “Oh, I’ve worn that top on Instagram, so I don’t want to wear it again.” Or it could be: “This shirt has ripped, so I’m going to chuck it and get a new one. “Or you can say “I’ve got a date lined up on Friday, so I’m going to buy a new outfit”. This is how we have been asked to engage with our clothes. But here’s the problem: Are we so addicted to fast fashion that we’ve overlooked its true cost—to both the environment and our wallets? The world generates 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually. By 2030, 134 million tonnes of textile waste are predicted to be produced worldwide if we do not drastically alter the way that we produce, wear, and discard clothing.

We know that sustainability in fashion can seem overwhelming.  But Putting efforts to make your wardrobe more sustainable is a step forward to engage in a mindful lifestyle. And the best part? You don’t need to sacrifice style or self-expression to do it.

So, how will you start? 

1. Know Where Your Clothes Come From

Before considering purchasing an item it’s wise to pause and conduct some research. Not all clothing brands are equally worthy of your investment. Some genuinely prioritize sustainability while others may resort to using statements to project an eco image. Keep in mind that when a brand deliberately makes it challenging to access details, about its initiatives there is possibly some information being concealed. Prioritize purchasing from brands that resonate with your values whenever you make a purchase decision.

2. Think Beyond the 30 Wears Rule

The concept of the “30 Wears Rule” suggests contemplating whether you would actually wear a piece of clothing at 30 times before purchasing it. However, in today’s world of fast fashion, this rule seems very outdated. So here is the new rule: Buy clothes that will last a lifetime and not just 30 wears.

Rather than buying very unique pieces for one-time occasions, invest in long-lasting, high-quality items that can be styled in a variety of ways. Always opt for materials that are durable and biodegradable, such as organic cotton, linen, Tencel, hemp, and wool, over synthetic fabrics like polyester, which take many years to decompose.

3. Shop for Trans-Seasonal Clothing

A sustainable wardrobe is a functional one. Try to avoid buying entirely new clothes every season, choose those that you can wear comfortably in different seasons. Wearing clothes that can be layered such as —T-shirts, classic outerwear, and durable denim—ensures you get more use out of fewer items.

When you go shopping, make sure to choose the kind of clothes that never go out of fashion. This will keep your wardrobe look elegant and without relying on the fashion trends. 

4. Care for Your Clothes

While clothes will eventually wear out, they can still sustain for long time depending upon how we take care of them. One can achieve this by following simple habits—like washing less frequently, using cold water, and avoiding the dryer—can make them sustain longer.

To prevent pilling try using fabric shaver and also invest in a steamer to keep clothes fresh.

Additionally, learn basic mending skills—sewing on buttons, patching holes, and fixing seams. Do put some efforts in fixing your clothes rather than throwing them away, it significantly reduces textile waste.

5. Buy Less, Choose Better

It’s easy to get manipulated into discount sales and cheap deals, but consider this: a high-quality woolen sweater that lasts 10 years is more sustainable (and cost-effective) than buying the ones that barely lasts a season. When you shop, think of each purchase as an investment. 

6. Embrace Secondhand and Vintage Finds

Shopping secondhand is one of the most sustainable fashion choices you can make. You not only give a garment a second life, but you also keep it out of landfills. You can find excellent, one-of-a-kind items at a lot of thrift stores without adding to the waste of fashion.

7. Donate and Recycle Responsibly

If you no longer wish to wear an item, just don’t throw it. Donate to charities, sell it online, or repurpose it. Many brands now have take-back programs that recycle old clothing.

Find out local textile recycling programs that ensure your unwanted clothes are responsibly repurposed instead of ending up in landfills.

8. Demand Change

The fashion industry has built an unsustainable model fueled by overproduction and waste and fast fashion. While brands are introducing “eco-friendly” clothing, these efforts are meaningless if they continue prioritizing profit over sustainability. We, Consumers have power, support companies with transparent practices, and push for legislative change.

A Wardrobe That Works for You and the Planet

Fast fashion can present itself as very cheap and convenient but it causes extreme harm to the environment. When we value clothes correctly, we care for them, we repair them, we alter them to fit us, even if our bodies change, we just don’t throw them away and buy more. There is so much beauty and power in repairing and caring for our clothes.

Sustainable fashion isn’t about loosing anything it’s about gaining a deeper trust and happiness with the clothes that we own. There is no denying that responsibility for this unsustainable system that we live in lies with governments, legislations, corporates and brands. But there is also no denying that we are the ones doing the insatiable amount of buying and we are the ones doing the throwing away. 

So, next time you shop, ask yourself: Do I really need this?