If you want to build an eco-friendly wardrobe, it’s easier than ever before to find stylish items made from sustainable choices. This means you can look great while doing your part to help save the environment. Every step you take in this direction counts, so set some reasonable shopping goals and enjoy how good you will look and feel at the same time.
Things You’ll Need:
• Organic jeans
• Vegan shoes
• Faux leather handbag
• Recycled sneakers
• Used tops
• Bamboo shirts
Step1
Take the time to educate yourself about what constitutes eco-friendly clothes. Look for chemical-free fabrics and products that don’t use animal testing or materials. Also become aware of what resources and working conditions are used throughout the manufacturing process, as this matters when it comes to making “green” choices.
Step2
Invest in the basics. You will need eco-friendly jeans, tops, work appropriate wear and shoes, handbags and other accessories. Look for timeless styles and well-made items, as these will last the longest. They therefore make the best use of the resources involved to make them since they won’t need to be replaced anytime soon.
Step3
Shop at vegan specialty stores and also at chain stores that offer green items. Some of the larger department stores are featuring eco-friendly choices these days. Look for items made from organic cottons, recycled materials and new fabrics such as hemp, soy and bamboo.
Step4
Visit second-hand stores on a regular basis to find basic pieces that you can add to your wardrobe. This gives the items a new purpose and keeps them out of a landfill.
Step5
Do your homework. Learn about the impact of different materials when it comes to growing, harvesting, processing and manufacturing them into clothing. For instance, organic cotton can sometimes be dyed with toxic chemicals, while growing bamboo crops can have a negative effect on wildlife and can cause pollution and be energy intensive to harvest. It’s important to weigh the benefits and the risks to decide what feels right to you when you buy eco-friendly items.
Step6
Consider the laundering needs of anything you buy, as dry cleaning uses dangerous chemicals and washing clothes at home uses large amounts of water and energy. Look for items that can be worn multiple times without needing to be cleaned.
Step7
Take your time to buy. Select a few key pieces to start with and then add more as new fabrics and choices become available. The eco-friendly market is advancing in leaps and bounds and new, stylish options will continue to be available.
Tips & Warnings
• Realize that one factor alone doesn’t necessarily constitute an eco-friendly product. Rather, you need to take the entire production cycle into account when deciding what to buy.
• Donate your old clothes to give them a second life.
• Don’t buy on price alone and always boycott companies that don’t promote fair trade practices. While items manufactured by sweat shops can often be sold inexpensively, it’s important to support ethical groups, even if you may have to spend a little more.