Building a sustainable wardrobe has been a goal that I’ve been slowly working on for the past few years. My main motivator was having to play Tetris with my belongings in preparation for my big move out of state. Packing things into my small Toyota Yaris made it obvious that I had accumulated a lot of useless clutter, most of which was clothes. And sorting through my belongings made me realize how much money I wasted on items that hardly got any use. To add to that, the process of having to dispose of things I didn’t want made me feel wasteful.
Ever since, I’ve been on a quest to learn how to be more aware of my purchasing habits. And, after some time at it, I finally feel like I’m at a good spot. I’ve built a decent-sized wardrobe that I love and gets plenty of use. While accomplishing this hasn’t been easy, I’ve learned a few lessons along the way. These are a few tips that have helped me get on the path towards developing a more conscious style.
Go in with A Game Plan
Building a sustainable wardrobe requires you to be mindful, and one way that I practice that is by planning out my purchases. Before I hand over my credit card, I think about how a specific item fits into my existing wardrobe. And I also consider whether it’s versatile enough to wear in various ways. I even go the extra step of planning out my outfits to ensure that what I add to my wardrobe fits my style. Doing this has helped me invest in long-lasting pieces versus trendier items I’ll end up donating in a few months.
One of my favorite tools to use in this process is Pinterest, which I use as a virtual vision board for my wardrobe. I like it because, in building collections, I start to notice patterns in what I like. Therefore, when I do hit the stores, I’m confident in my purchases and can ensure that I get the most use out of them.
Focus on the Staples
It took me a long time to understand the importance of basics. But having the essentials in your wardrobe can do wonders to transform your shopping habits. While I used to always feel the need to shop because “I didn’t have anything to wear,” that’s less of a problem nowadays. Having a solid foundation for my wardrobe has enabled me to approach the shopping process differently. I no longer go out and buy pieces because my wardrobe feels incomplete. Instead, I set foot in stores with the intention to purchase something that will complement what I already own.
Research Your Brands
An important part of building a sustainable wardrobe is making sure my purchase are making a positive environmental and social impact at every step of the supply chain. That is why I have gravitated toward brands like Everlane and Grana in recent years, and dream of the day I’ll have a Reformation dress in my wardrobe. These brands are known for being conscious about who is producing their items and how.
But, shopping sustainably doesn’t mean having limited options. There are also plenty of indie brands out there producing pieces at reasonable prices. For example, one of my favorite indie brands, Apricity (as seen here), produces its designs in Downtown Los Angeles. I also love turning to Etsy for accessories, where I’ve found unique pieces that are closet staples from shops like Knit by Design and Rainaroo.
Buy Secondhand Whenever Possible
Finally, one of last pieces of advice for building a sustainable wardrobe is purchasing items secondhand whenever possible. I have to admit that, for me, browsing through endless racks of clothes at Goodwill seems overwhelming. That is why I prefer to shop secondhand at places like Crossroads or Modo Boutique, one of my favorite consignment stores here in Portland. These types of shops tend to have a more curated collection catering to current trends and styles. Another plus is that items tend to be in decent condition and are many times new. After all, nobody wants their purchases to look worn out simply because they’re used.
That’s it for my tips for building a more sustainable wardrobe. I’m curious to hear from those of you that have gone through a similar process, and what tips and process works for you. I’d also love to know if you’re thinking of practicing any of these tips moving forward. Thanks for reading!
Shop this look
Blank NYC faux leather Jacket (Consigned, similar here and here) | Everlane High Rise Denim