Article by Chloe Downey, Photo by Gabriela Ayala

In a perfect world, fashion would not only make you stand out at a party, but also save the planet! While we don’t live in a perfect world, we can at least start a conversation about sustainable fashion. Today more than ever, new brands are popping up on our Instagram feeds to sell us cheap and trendy fashion, but at what cost? It’s up to us to make decisions about whether we will buy clothes that are of fast fashion, or mindful fashion! We don’t usually think about the effect our clothing puts on the ecosystem when we’re swiping our card. And if we did, I think it’s safe to say we’d all be a bit alarmed.

If you’re unsure what sustainable clothing/living is, it’s simple: by preserving clothing pieces and making a conscious effort to make clothes last longer than a few months before tossing, we as consumers are sustaining them. Sustainable clothing is not a new concept, but it is definitely beginning to gain more popularity within the fashion/social media world. Some brands that we all love (Patagonia, Athleta, Levi’s) are starting to invest in changing the fabric/materials that they create their clothing with. This is stellar news for our planet! Sustainable fashion may sound unfamiliar, or like something your budget wouldn’t agree with, but that’s not what it’s about! Yes, you can buy sustainable clothing, specifically crafted out of fabrics recycled and intended to last, but you can also just be more aware of making ethical choices when buying clothes! Here are a few easy ways that we can be a little more mindful of our fashion choices when it comes to sustainability:

1. Venture out and buy from a sustainable clothing brand instead of “fast fashion” brands

We all know how convenient it is to run into your local Forever 21 when you need a last minute outfit for the weekend, but we also know that once you wash that article of clothing it will never look or fit exactly the same! Brands like Forever 21 aim to produce clothing at extremely fast rates for very affordable prices, but the ultimate goal isn’t for their clothing to be passed down to your little sister! If shopping at fast fashion stores were a crime, we’d all be guilty. However, by making tiny decisions to shop sustainable (Patagonia, Alternative Apparel), we can contribute to the eco-friendly movement AND have more clothing pieces that will last for years to come!

2. Do some research on what your clothing is made of

Whether you’re out shopping (or online in bed), pay attention to the fabric! Don’t just think, “Hmm.. looks comfy,” but instead, put some time and effort into researching what the article of clothing is actually made out of. Natural fibers are produced from plants, animals, and geological substances. Fibers such as wool, silk, linen, cashmere, and organic cotton are great places to start for those beginning to shop consciously. The main fibers you should keep an eye out for are synthetic fibers. Companies love to use synthetic fibers in their clothes because it is cheap and easier to mass produce. These are not naturally grown, and come from all kinds of nasty chemicals that hurt the environment. By downsizing your purchases of synthetic fibers, you are already taking a huge step towards becoming eco-friendly!

3. Hit up some vintage stores

This next tip is easy to follow because who doesn’t love a good thrift find? Shopping second-hand gives you an opportunity to buy clothes already lived in and loved rather than helping grow the overflowing landfill of clothing. Another reason that thrifting is so popular is because you can find some of the coolest and most unique pieces for next to almost nothing. By going this route, you’re still looking trendy, and with no repercussions.

4. Care for the clothes you already own

We should all cherish and care for our clothing. Wash your clothing the way the instruction label intended, store your pieces in protected areas (sunlight can cause damage to your clothing), and be aware of what happens to your pieces when you’re actually wearing them - wine is a heck of a stain! Clothing is a form of art that we can wear and show off everyday, even if it’s not branded as “sustainable clothing.” It has the potential to live longer than you think. By caring for our clothes with pride, we can make them last a lifetime!

Shop sustainable and enjoy pieces that you can pass on for generations. Take the first step to being an eco-friendly fashionista. There is a bigger picture here. Once we start making ethical decisions when buying and maintaining clothing, we can begin to appreciate fashion even more! Sustainable clothing is only a small aspect of the world of fashion, but its outcome goes beyond having a great outfit.

Fashion but Make it Eco-Friendly