10 steps to a sustainable wardrobe

A minimalist wardrobe

Living sustainably is no rocket science and every one of us can do it. The best part is that the more ecologically you live, the more sense it makes economically too. You get a stylish, minimalist, sustainable wardrobe made up of quality pieces and, in the end, you spend less than you would on sale-time shopping. And you can start right away. With the clothes you already have at home. How?

1. Sort the things that are good quality and that you love wearing from the ones you never wear, "because they were on sale" and "one day I'll slim into them".

2. Sell or give away the pieces you no longer wear.

3. Put things that are no longer wearable to another use – re-sew them, use them as a tea towel, a cleaning cloth or a make-up pad

An eco-friendly household

There is no need to throw out all your detergents right away and wash with nothing but soap. Simply use what you already have – sensibly and carefully. The better you look after your clothes and the more closely you follow the care instructions on the labels, the longer your clothes will stay looking new. Protecting textiles and the planet includes:

4. Washing at a lower temperature and using gentle detergents
5. Not drying clothes in a tumble dryer.
6. Repairing minor faults on clothes instead of throwing them away straight away (with quality pieces, it is well worth it).

Sustainable shopping

Sustainability certainly includes moderate shopping. Before you buy a piece, you should ask yourself whether you really need it, and whether borrowing it or finding it second-hand might be enough. Radical self-denial is not a long-term solution, though, and it is natural to want to treat yourself now and then to a new beautiful piece. If you want to support ecological makers, here are a few tips on how not to be taken in by brands for which a sustainable wardrobe is just a marketing slogan:

7. Buy quality clothes that will serve you for a long time.
8. Check where the product was made. When a Swedish brand's dress says MADE IN THAILAND, it is not going to be very sustainable.
9. Find out about a fashion brand's practices before buying its products and read independent reviews of it.
10. Look for independent certificates of quality and ecological standards, the origin of raw materials and ethical labour standards in their workshops.

Building a minimalist wardrobe is nowhere near as complicated as you first thought, is it?
You will find more detailed information on sustainable shopping in our next article.