Style and Sustainability: How to Incorporate Them Both into Your Life

Just because something's sustainable doesn't mean it has to be boring, though!

Sustainable fashion can help you make more environmentally friendly clothing choices without spending more money, meaning you can look great while also doing good. If you're looking to incorporate sustainability into your lifestyle, here are some ways to do it with style.

The idea that sustainable fashion is out of reach for the average person can be disheartening. But, in reality, the opposite is true. Sustainable fashion simply means taking a more measured approach to purchasing clothing and other products - an approach that focuses on quality, not quantity; one that prioritizes timelessness and individuality over trendiness and superficiality. And while you may have to spend a little more upfront than you would on the latest fast-fashion item, you'll be glad you did in the long run because your sustainable items will last longer and require less maintenance than non-sustainable alternatives.

Know Why You Care

If you want to incorporate sustainable fashion pieces into your life, it's important that you know why you care about these pieces. Remember, sustainability is about mindful living, so in order for sustainable clothing choices to feel good, they should make sense within your lifestyle. Is it because of concern for environmental issues? For example, if a particular piece of clothing is manufactured in a way that creates pollution or manufacturing waste during production process then go ahead and pass on that option. Or is it because you simply don't want synthetic fabrics next to your skin? Do all-natural materials like cotton sound better? If so, then shop accordingly. The point here is to understand why you are making sustainable clothing choices before you make them. Once you do, incorporating them into your wardrobe will be much easier and more satisfying.

Examine Your Budget

Going shopping without a plan is not a good idea. It's too easy to spend money on what you don't need. If you're going clothing shopping, write down your goal in advance (maybe it's shorts for summer or a new dress for a party). Then see how many items on your list you can get with money that would have gone toward fast fashion pieces from a mall store. 

Be aware of your budget, but remember, thrift stores and consignment shops are other options for getting great pieces that are fashionable but more sustainable than name-brand stuff sold at retail stores. And remember that cleaning out your closet regularly is also an important part of sustainable fashion! One more thing to keep in mind when you go shopping: quality matters. As we've seen, if you buy something that falls apart quickly, it won't be much help as far as sustainability goes. So invest in quality clothes and accessories—they'll last longer anyway. You'll save money in the long run because they won't break down so quickly, plus they might even last longer than cheaper alternatives because they'll be made better!

Identify Vanity Purchases

A key part of any sustainable wardrobe is being able to discern real needs from wants. Over time, you'll get better at identifying a need when you see it. One way of doing that is by keeping track of your purchases, which will help you note patterns in your shopping habits. This also gives you a chance to re-evaluate purchases once they're yours (for example, realizing you already have something that would work as well or better). Be honest with yourself about whether a purchase was needed or just wanted; don't beat yourself up too much if it turns out that most things are vanity buys. We all do it sometimes! 

Once in awhile we find something worth buying; those items make up for our other senseless buys over time.

Reuse, Repair and Refurbish

Instead of throwing away old clothes, try repurposing them by giving them a new lease on life. Get creative with your wardrobe by reimagining it as home decor or converting items into new clothing altogether. For example, you can make shorts out of old t-shirts or a skirt from an oversized dress shirt. Repairing holes in shoes is another way to lengthen their lifespan while keeping unnecessary materials out of landfills. Additionally, if your footwear can't be saved, donate them to organizations that distribute worn shoes overseas so they can serve people in need! If possible, look for secondhand clothing options instead of buying new. This includes flea markets, thrift stores and online sites like ThredUp or Poshmark. You might find something trendy that's no longer available at retail stores but still looks great! And who knows? You might even score a one-of-kind item at an affordable price. Finally, when shopping for new clothes (whether they're secondhand or brand new), check out sustainable brands like Everlane, Vaute Couture and People Tree—which have made headlines for using eco-friendly fabrics like hemp and bamboo to create their pieces.

Buy Things That Will Last

When you invest in things that will last for years rather than a few months, you're both extending your budget and minimizing waste. If something doesn't fit well or looks cheap (or both), it's better not to buy it—even if you're getting it on sale. The same goes for cheaply made shoes, clothes, bags, and jewelry; they may look trendy now but they'll probably fall apart before long. Investing in items of quality that will last is key. 

Focus on fit before anything else; no matter how fashionable a piece is if it isn't right for your body type you won't wear it long-term. Then move onto construction. Look at seams, buttons, fasteners, and fabrics to see how they were put together. Is there excess fabric? Are there loose threads? Is everything even? Does it feel sturdy? You don't need to be an expert seamstress here—but you should be able to tell when something has been put together with care or when corners have been cut. Finally, consider whether an item is unique enough that you can wear it multiple times without looking like everyone else who owns one too. If so, then go ahead and buy!

Be Creative With What You Have

Before you head out shopping, make a list of everything in your closet. Think about how each item could be re-worn or styled in new ways. If you're dying for something new, think about whether or not it will last through multiple seasons or weather changes. When making a new purchase, ask yourself if it can function on its own as an outfit or be mixed and matched with items already in your closet. For example, maybe you need a cute new pair of boots—instead of buying them in red with nothing else to wear, try pairing them with items that are already in your closet. You may discover they look great with jeans, leggings, shorts or even dresses!

Vera

I really hope you're enjoying The Sustainability Pulse, my weekly newsletter looking at sustainability in the fashion industry. If you find the tips and insights useful, please share these articles to help spread the word.

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