5 Inexpensive Ways to Build a More Sustainable Closet Today

The fashion business has a big impact on the environment. The way we shop for, wear, and throw away clothes affects climate change, pollution, and the loss of resources. This includes wasteful production methods and overusing textiles. The good news is that we can make a big difference by changing how we dress, in small ways.

If you want to start making your clothing collection more sustainable right away, here are five easy things you can do without having to trawl through your whole wardrobe.

Here are five eco-friendly ways to make your closet:

1. Choose quality over quantity

2. Wear second-hand and used clothes

3. Take good care of your clothes to make them last longer

4. Trade clothes with family and friends

5. Be mindful about packaging and throwing things away

1. Choose quality over quantity

Buying clothes that last longer and buying fewer of them is the best way to reduce the damage they do to the planet. Fast fashion is all about cheap clothes that are worn briefly and then thrown away or go out of style. The result? Buying new things all the time leads to overproduction and waste.

Choose clothes made from durable, natural, or eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo to make your outfit more sustainable. When you buy less but choose carefully, you don't have to keep buying things, which means you waste less. If you want your clothing to feel new every season without having to buy new clothes all the time, choose classic styles that can be worn in different ways.

Look for brands that emphasise quality, honesty, and environmental friendliness throughout their production process. To make sure your purchase is friendly to the planet, look for certifications like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or B Corp.

2. Wear second-hand and used clothes

The large number of new clothes that are made and then end up in dumps is a huge problem for the fashion industry. Used pieces are one of the easiest ways to leave less of an impact on the earth. Shopping at charity shops not only lets you find one-of-a-kind items, but it also helps extend the life of used clothes so they're not thrown away as quickly.

It is now easier than ever to shop second-hand on websites like eBay, Vinted, and Depop. By buying used clothes, you're not only lowering the demand for new ones, but you're also keeping textiles out of landfills. Vintage clothes also tend to be made with better, high-quality materials, which means they last longer.

If you don't know where to start, look through your local charity shops or set a budget and experiment with different online platforms. You might surprise yourself and find some hidden gems!

3. Take good care of your clothes to make them last longer

What you buy isn't the only thing that makes fashion sustainable. How you care for the clothes you already have is also very important. Taking good care of your clothes is one of the easiest ways to make them last longer and avoid having to buy new ones.

Firstly, take care when you wash your clothes. Don’t put everything in the washing machine at high temperatures, and instead, wash clothes on a cold cycle to cut down on wear and tear. Whenever you can, let your clothes dry naturally instead of tumble drying them - tumble dryers use a lot of energy and can damage the fabric over time.

If you buy a garment steamer, you can keep your clothes looking new without having to wash them too often. Steaming can get rid of wrinkles and kill bacteria without the rough wear and tear of machine washing. Also, pay attention to how you store your clothes. Putting them on hangers or folding them nicely will help them keep their shape.

Another important thing you can do to keep your wardrobe in good shape is to fix broken clothes instead of throwing them away. Simple fixes, like putting back a button, sewing up a tear, or filling in a hole, can help extend the life of your clothes.

4. Trade clothes with family and friends

Holding or taking part in a clothing swap with neighbours, friends, or family is one of the coolest and most eco-friendly ways to update your outfit. This is a great way to find new clothes without having to buy new ones, and it can also give your old clothes a second life.

This method keeps clothes from going to the dump and keeps them in circulation. It also makes your community stronger and promotes the idea of sharing and being environmentally friendly.

You can start by going to one of the many clothing swap events in your city. These events bring people together to trade items. You could also join online swap groups where people post clothes they're willing to trade. This way, you could get a whole new outfit for free.

5. Be mindful about packaging and throwing things away

Buying clothes has an effect on the world that goes beyond the clothes themselves. The packaging that clothes come in also has an effect. If you want to buy new clothes, stay away from stores that use a lot of plastic packaging. To cut down on waste, look for brands that use minimal, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Some brands that care about the environment will even ship your things in tote bags that can be used again or packing materials that break down naturally.

If you want to get rid of old clothes, make sure you recycle or donate them properly. People often throw away fast fashion clothes improperly, and they end up in landfills. Textiles can take hundreds of years to break down. Give your clothes to a local charity, a used clothing store, or a textile disposal program if they are still in good shape. Many places offer bins for recycling old clothes, which are then used to create new fabrics or other items.

To save money, you could also reuse clothes that you can't wear anymore. Another way to use an old t-shirt is to make it into a shopping bag, and trousers could be changed into cool new shorts. By rethinking how long your clothes will last, you can help stop waste and lower the need for new resources.

Conclusion

Building a more eco-friendly wardrobe doesn't have to mean a full makeover. You can help the fashion industry become more environmentally friendly by making small, thoughtful choices like buying fewer, higher-quality items, supporting secondhand fashion, taking good care of your clothes, swapping with others, and being more conscious of packaging and disposal. 

Don't forget that sustainability is a process, not a goal. Every little thing you do is a step in the right direction. The effect of your choices is significant when considering their overall impact. Start today - your eco-friendly outfit is waiting for you!