Welcome to 2022, a Brave New World where Kim Kardashian is supposedly dating Pete Davidson, and we have already had both the warmest and coldest weather on the books. What better year to tackle reconfiguring your wardrobe so that it helps the weather stay normal, and doesn’t imitate the latest Kardashian trends? 

I am guessing you are here because you already have that tingle at the base of your neck. You know–the one telling you that while you love fashion, it’s time to start looking at how fashion can make you look good, and also be good for the world.

But, just in case you need that last little nudge before jumping headfirst into the world of holistic sustainability I would love to remind you of a few things: click here.

This is Why Sustainable Fashion Matters

It takes over 10,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton, and 20% of wastewater worldwide is attributed to clothing production, much of which winds up in our oceans. Fast fashion often results in poor working conditions for laborers, and millions of tons of clothing are trashed every year (57% of our clothing winds up in landfills). The marginalized communities who are being exploited for their labor also are the ones who will feel the effects of climate change first, and also are already dealing with pollution due to the manufacturing AND end of life for these garments. Not only that, but the synthetic clothing that often makes up fast fashion is contributing to 35% of the microplastics we are finding polluting our ecosystem, and higher carbon emissions from production.

Friends. I know. But, listen. I believe this can be the year where we can all take small steps toward making our wardrobe more sustainable, and help fend off the impending climate crises. 

So, without further ado, here are a few simple tricks to make YOUR wardrobe clean and environmentally friendly.

Eight Simple Tricks to Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

1.       Wear What you Have. Always start with your own closet, and don’t be afraid to wear that sweater you love four times in one week.

2.       Accessorize. You will be surprised what a good accessory can do for clothes you have worn a million times. Grab those statement earrings, or that bright scarf that was hidden in the box on your closet shelf. Try layering clothes you haven’t layered before and suddenly you have a whole new VIBE.

3.       Shop Secondhand First. See what I did there? At some point, all of us will need to grab a new item or five. But, whenever you can, look to shop second hand. Toss your old clothes in a Thred Up bag, and then use your credit to grab a gently worn jacket or jeans. (link). Even better? Make it an outing and hit up that local thrift store.

4.       Host a Clothing Swap. Never underestimate the power of someone else’s closet. Every year a few friends and I host a girl’s night where we all bring 2-3 clothing items that we no longer want in our closet. We pour a few drinks, and then we take turns choosing one “new to us” item from the rack to take home. I have found a few favorite pieces from this exchange, and it is always fun to see my old clothes on someone I love.

5.       Find Sustainable brands. When you know you need a staple piece to last the ages, make the investment to shop with (insert links). They will cost you more than something H&M, but they will last longer, and their items were made by hands receiving fair wages, and using methods that won’t break planet Earth.

6.       Take the time to figure out what your closet needs, and then buy what you need, not just what you want. Listen, I feel you. Walking down the aisles of Target, it takes a boatload of will power to walk past that cute sweater with the darling buttons down the neck. But, I know what I need, and I know I have seven sweaters already hanging in my closet, and I live in California, so I don’t need them the same way the New Yorkers do. When I am clear on what I need, I am less likely to make impulsive buys.

7.       Consider a Rental Service. Big Trip? Three weddings in one weekend? Hit up a shop like Rent the Runway to grab the items you need for that one occasion and let your wallet and the fashion industry take a break.

8.       Wear What you Have. Did I repeat myself? Yes. Maybe I did, but this is something that I don’t mind climbing up on a soapbox for so everyone can hear. There is power in less. There is power in finding creative ways to wear what you own. And, there is power in taking control of your own fashion and not letting other people tell you what you are supposed to be buying and what is on trend.

2022 is the year to break our fast fashion habits…

And build the kind of closet you feel really good about. In so doing, you can focus on your own personal style over quick trends. Wear what makes you feel good and stick with that. Plus, you can give yourself a little extra hug for making the planet feel good, too.

Ready to join the sustainability club? Sign up for my newsletter which will cheer you on, give you simple swaps, and link arms with you on your journey.