Living a sustainable lifestyle is sometimes easier said than done. You might question whether your individual efforts are enough to make an impact when global corporations aren’t being held accountable for their harmful practices. Or, you might feel overwhelmed about approaching sustainability when there’s so much information available.

If that sounds like you, keep in mind you don’t need to check off all the boxes and be a perfect eco-warrior to make a difference. Every action counts!

One of the easiest ways you can start practicing sustainability is through your wardrobe choices. 

Here are our sustainable fashion tips for a more ethical wardrobe!

Wear what you already have or shop secondhand

Most women wear at most 30% of the clothes in their wardrobes! The easiest and best way to reduce your fashion footprint is to wear what you have.

Before buying any new items, we suggest going through your entire closet Marie Kondo-style to take stock of what you already own. 

Only keep what you regularly wear. Donate what doesn’t fit your body or your current style, and pieces you haven’t worn in the last year.

The second best way to reduce your fashion footprint is to shop secondhand, be it thrifted, vintage, or consignment. Once the pandemic is over, you can also participate in clothing swaps with your friends and family!

Focus on quality over quantity

Did you know that on average, people wear clothes only seven times before throwing them away? That stems from the fast-fashion mentality big-name companies encourage in order to sell large quantities of cheap, poorly-made clothing that’s often manufactured unethically overseas.
What you can do as a consumer is boycott these retailers by refusing to buy throwaway fashion and instead invest your money in quality clothing that’s made to last for years, not a single season.
Whether you’re buying workwear, lounge wear, or underwear, it’s important to study the quality of each garment carefully before buying.
Is the stitching and construction sturdy? Are the textiles comfortable and durable? Is the garment easy to wash and take care of, or do you need to dry clean it?
You should also consider buying pieces that you can get the most wear out of. If it’s something you’ll wear all season long (like a coat), it might be worth investing in the best quality you can afford. If it’s a wardrobe staple, like jeans or a little black dress, think about all the ways you can pair it with your other items to maximize your cost-per-wear.

Build a wardrobe with timeless silhouettes and colours

You might think buying less clothing will result in a boring wardrobe, but that couldn’t be less true! You don’t need a large wardrobe to be fashionable, it’s how you remix your pieces that defines your unique style.
Consider creating a wardrobe you love with classic pieces in flattering, coordinating colours for a timeless look that will last for years.
While having a solid base of wardrobe essentials in neutral colours is the key to versatility, don’t be afraid to to play with a few bright colours or prints here and there. As long as the non-neutral colours and prints are flattering and still work with the rest of your clothes, they’ll add more interest to your wardrobe!

Keep in mind the end cycle of your clothing

Nothing lasts forever, so always keep in mind the end cycle of your clothing before you buy new ones!
If you’re ready to invest in quality clothing, be prepared to also invest in their care and upkeep. That means being mindful with how you wash your clothes and investing in tailoring and repairs when they start to show wear and tear. These practices will help extend the life of your clothes and spare them from the landfill that much longer.
Donating or giving away clothing if it’s still in good condition is another great way to divert clothing from landfills. Recycling or repurposing textiles is also an option if items are no longer wearable.
Lastly, be mindful of your textiles, because natural fabrics (cotton, linen, wool, etc.) will decompose more quickly in a landfill in comparison to synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, acrylic) which can take 20-200 years!
That’s why we chose certified organic bamboo viscose for CaroQuilla undies. Bamboo is a sustainable source of renewable textiles, and bamboo viscose can decompose in 3 years if fully submerged in soil!
We hope these tips can help guide you through your sustainable lifestyle journey!
If you’re curious about CaroQuilla’s sustainable approach to creating comfy, long-lasting bamboo undies that are good for the environment, check out this post!