Making the clothes I wear and buy more sustainable is something I’m incredibly passionate about.

Here’s how to make your wardrobe more sustainable.

1. Buy Less

One of the easiest ways to be more sustainable is to simply buy less in the first place.

Of course, there are times when we genuinely need new clothes.

But many of us fall into the trap of shopping for fun or because we are bored, rather than out of necessity, meaning we end up with lots of clothes that are only worn once or twice or are not purchased with intent.

2. Shop Second Hand

Buying second-hand is one of the best ways to ensure your wardrobe is sustainable.

You can buy secondhand clothes online in many places – my favourites are eBay and Vinted.

You can also shop second-hand in person at charity shops, car boot sales and vintage clothing fairs.

Another benefit to shopping second-hand is that it can also save you a considerable amount of money.

I always try to opt for second-hand before buying new. If I see a dress I like when out and about I’ll take a picture and try and find it on Vinted – one of the reasons I think Vinted should add a reverse image search feature!

3. Stick To Classic Pieces

While it can be tempting to buy the latest fashions and update your wardrobe each season, when it comes to sustainability, buying classic pieces is best.

Here are some examples of classic pieces everyone should have in their wardrobe. They can be worn in lots of different ways and never go out of fashion.

• A Pair of Jeans that fit well
• Leather Jacket
• Denim Jacket
• Little Black Dress
• Plain White Tshirt
• Neutral Blazer
• Classic Mac

You could aim to purchase these pieces second-hand or invest in designer options as they are classic in should last a good many years.

4. Unsubscribe & Unfollow

If you’re easily influenced by special offers and clothing hauls from your favourite YouTuber it’s time to unsubscribe and unfollow.

While unsubscribing can mean you miss out on deals, there is almost always a discount code or cashback to be found online when you do eventually need to purchase something.

5. Buy Quality Over Quantity

When clothes are cheap, it can be tempting to buy lots of clothes which become worn easily and then need replacing.

Purchasing more expensive clothes means that they last longer, wash better and should have a more environmentally friendly manufacturing process (although you’ll need to research specific brands you’re buying from to be sure of this.

6. Make, Do & Mend

One of the many problems with fast fashion is that it’s all too easy for it to become throw-away fashion.

Often, we don’t see the point in preparing clothes when they cost very little and are poor quality to begin with – we simply replace them with another cheap item.

If you love something, then it may well be worth repairing or going to a little bit of effort to repair it.

Even items that are pretty worn out could probably used once or twice more before being replaced.

7. Sell Or Donate Your Old & Unwanted Clothes

When you no longer want something because it doesn’t fit or suit your style, there are a few things you can do.

Personally, I try to sell things first. While I don’t make a huge amount of money, I’m happy my items are off to a new home where they will be loved and reused.

Donating old clothes to charity might seem like an easy way to get rid of them, but charity shops are often overwhelmed with donations, many of which are not salable.

Before donating, ensure clothes are in good condition with no stains or holes – if you wouldn’t put them on eBay or Vinted then they shouldn’t be donated.

8. Recycle Where You Can

There are lots of options for recycling clothes when they are no longer usable to help prevent items from ending up in landfill.

This includes turning into dusters or cloths for cleaning and placing in the material bing at your local recycling centre.

How To Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable – Final Tips

Here are some final tips for making your wardrobe more sustainable:

• Avoid fabrics such as denim which have a high impact on the environment during manufacturing.
• Opt for recycled fabrics when buying garments.
• Be aware of greenwashing, where companies inflate their green credentials.
• Avoid sequins as these cannot be recycled. If you must buy sequins, opt for second-hand.
• Wash clothes less often – this is better for the environment and helps items last longer.
• Create a wishlist of must-have classic items and stick to it.