As the season changes so does our wardrobe, and what better opportunity to take a closer look at what we are wearing.
Step into a world where style meets sustainability, and your wardrobe becomes a powerful statement for positive change. In the fast-paced realm of fashion, where trends come and go, there lies a transformative journey towards conscious choices and eco-friendly elegance. In this blog, we guide you through our top 7 solutions to help you redefine your relationship with the clothes you wear, exploring the vibrant and exciting landscape of sustainable fashion. From mindful shopping habits to embracing ethical brands, join us as we unravel the threads of change, weaving a narrative that fuses fashion with making a positive shift towards a healthier planet.
Get ready to make a lasting impact – one outfit at a time.
#1 ASK COMPANIES ‘WHAT’S IN MY CLOTHES?’
Starting out on this journey can feel overwhelming. With many of us having accumulated drawers full of clothes over the years, you may find yourself asking ‘Where do I begin?’. A great starting point could be to start taking a look at your clothes and analysing what they’re made of.
A Dutch study in 2019 discovered that labelling in clothes often does not reflect the actual textile makeup. In fact, over 10,000 garments were tested by Circle Economy: in 41% of cases the garment composition labels did not match the composition of the garment. That’s why Fashion Revolution launched #whatsinmyclothes, a campaign to ask companies to look closer at their materials and supply chains. Not only can this help you gain insight into the composition of your clothes but you can also help gather important data by using their email template to ask manufacturers and brands #whatsinmyclothes!
Click here to find out more.
#2 TRADE IN YOUR CLOTHES
Did you know that the average garment gets worn only 5 times before it’s discarded? Now that may sound shockingly low, but if you look through your wardrobe there are probably plenty of items tucked away at the back – like that jumper you thought you’d wear or a dress that you save only for special occasions?
Instead of sending items to landfill when you stop using them, there are now tons of buy-back schemes that allow you to return clothing to the company and receive a credit for new clothing in return. These schemes are great for getting something in return but also help reduce fashion waste and increase resource use!
Read more about the advantages to this solution here.
#3 CARE AND REPAIR
At the other end of the spectrum, we all have that one pair of jeans that we just can’t let go of. But after wear and tear starts to take its toll, we may be tempted to throw it out..
Repairing something that’s seen better days, doesn’t mean we can’t afford to buy something new, it means we can’t afford something being thrown away. What used to be a badge of shame is now something to be proud of! Repairing clothes is practical, symbolic, creative and original.
Fashion Revolution has a great Repair and Mend Guide that makes it easy to care for your favourite items – find out how you can give a second life to your clothes here.
#4 HOST A CLOTHES SWAP
Swapping an item of clothing may not seem like a radical act, but extending the use of our clothes is a powerful act in reducing their environmental impact. Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter and second-hand shopper or trying exchanging clothes for the first time, host a clothes swap and invite your friends, colleagues or open it up to members of the public. It’s a great way to spread awareness of sustainable fashion and helps you connect with a local community!
Find out more here.
#5 WASH CLOTHES LESS OFTEN
It’s easy to assume that the main impact our clothes have on the planet is during manufacturing and distribution, but did you know that even the way we care for our clothes can leave its mark? Up to 25% of each garment’s carbon footprint actually comes from the way we wash and care for it day-to-day.
Washing synthetic clothing releases plastic microfibres which then get flushed into our waterways. And where do all drains lead? The Ocean. Microfibres are rapidly becoming a significant threat to the environment, and our clothes are one of the main culprits.
There are lots of ways we can be mindful of this, but the simplest way to reduce the release is to wash your clothes less often!
Discover more about how you can reduce your clothes’ impact to the environment here.
#6 SMALL THINGS CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT
Following on from our last tip, some of you may be wondering, what can I do to reduce my impact when I wash my clothes?
Studies are now showing that over 60% of our clothes are made out of plastic fibres, shedding up to 700,000 fibres in an average load. As more facts are coming to support the concern and the awareness around microfibres increases, as do the innovative ideas and inventions to help solve the problem.
We now know that every time we wash synthetic clothing, tiny plastic fibres are washed down the drain and end up in our waterways. And though not 100% foolproof, new products like the Cora Ball and Guppy Bags can be used in your washing machine to catch the microfibres and significantly reduce their impact.
#7 CHOOSE WISELY
When the inevitable time comes to buy a new garment of clothing, take some extra time to research more about the brand, the materials they use and their lifecycle.
With roughly over 60% of clothes manufactured being made out of harmful synthetic fibres, it can be a bit of a minefield out there. However there are innovative companies taking huge measures to ensure they produce the highest quality clothing whilst having the smallest impact.
Take Sheep Inc. for example. They were the world’s first carbon-negative fashion brand. It removes ten times more carbon from the atmosphere than the production process adds, through investment in biodiversity projects. Sheep Inc. create Merino wool, ZQ certified jumpers for men and women, focusing on 100% biodegradable wardrobe staples.
It just goes to show that if you look hard enough, you’ll discover lots of brands that are putting the planet first and make you feel great about the clothes you wear!
If you’re interested in learning more, click here.
With the growing awareness of the impacts of fast fashion, these are just a few examples of the many ways you can make changes in your wardrobe. We hope that we’ve inspired you to try something new, shift your perspective and hopefully inspire others to do the same!
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On the SHiFT platform, there are now hundreds of solutions available at just the click of your mouse and filters that help you refine the options down to the ones that are most appropriate for you.
We don’t need everyone to do everything, but we do need everyone to do something. What will your next SHiFT be?
We encourage you to share your actions across social media to inspire others to join you in making a difference in their own lives, communities, businesses and wider world.
by eXXpedition Team