How to Prioritise Sustainable Fashion in Your Wardrobe

For many fashionistas in the UK, sustainability takes top priority. We want to look and feel great, of course, but not at the expense of the wider natural world.

Fortunately, striking the required balance is often a matter of following a few simple steps and principles.

Start by Buying Less and Wearing More

Often, it’s possible to create a variety of different looks with the help of the right approach to layering. If you’re wearing just a few different items, then you might be able to rearrange them in countless ways. If you’re just wearing one long item, like a dress, then your options may be a little more limited. Versatility is key. This approach might also help you to use less space when you pack for a holiday.

Embrace Second-Hand, Vintage and Circular Fashion

Of course, there’s another worthwhile way to limit the amount of waste you create, and that’s to pick up second-hand items, rather than brand new ones. When you buy second-hand, you eliminate the environmental costs that come with making an item entirely from scratch.

Online resale platforms, charity shops, vintage stores, and clothing rental services are all great alternatives to the high street. This also applies to jewellery: second-hand diamond rings often represent excellent value for money.

Choose Better Quality Garments and Learn to Care for Them

The more often you buy a new item of clothing, the more waste and pollution you’re creating. For this reason, it makes sense to invest in quality items that will last a long time. You’ll also want to spend more on maintenance and adjustment.

Try to shift your mindset away from constant consumption and audit your wardrobe to understand exactly what new items you need. This might help you avoid impulse purchases.

This shift in mindset also has another major advantage: it allows us to actually wear and enjoy better-quality clothing and to pick up the skills and knowledge we need to get the best from it. When you do this, you’ll make more informed decisions about your wardrobe and resist the temptation to buy low-quality items that harm both the planet and your look.

Support the Growing Circular Fashion Movement in the UK

Ethical fashion brands are committed to reusing, recycling, and so-called ‘circular’ design. Items produced and sold under these names tend to be more environmentally friendly. The UK is something of a world leader when it comes to this sort of thing, with the London Textiles Action plan forming a crucial part of the Mayor’s plan to ‘catalyse the transition to zero waste’.