Building a sustainable wardrobe isn’t just about buying eco-friendly brands; it's about being thoughtful with the clothes that you already own. Caring for your garments with great attention to detail will help them last for years to come. If a garment no longer suits your style, consider passing it on, as donating or reselling helps keep clothes out of landfills and fights overconsumption.

By following our 8 essential sustainable wardrobe steps, you can create a beautiful, long-lasting wardrobe in no time.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR CREATING A SUSTAINABLE WARDROBE 

1.    Buy pre-loved garments to fight overconsumption
2.    Upcycle your clothes - refresh your style sustainably
3.    Donate old clothes to a local charity 
4.    Research styles you love (before heading to the shops)
5.    Opt for high-quality fabrics 
6.    Find some sustainable staples to build your wardrobe around
7.    Care for your clothes so they last a lifetime
8.    Rotate your seasonal wardrobe to reduce wear and waste

1. BUY PRE-LOVED GARMENTS TO FIGHT OVERCONSUMPTION

Buying pre-loved items has become pretty trendy over the last 10 years or so, with approximately 1 in 10 people now buying most of their clothes second-hand. Buying second-hand (or pre-loved as we like to say) is a fantastic way to reduce waste, save money, support sustainability, and support local businesses. 

However, building a sustainable wardrobe isn’t just a trend - it's a necessity if we want our planet to survive for our children and grandchildren. Every single year, around 92 million tonnes of textile waste end up in landfills - that’s approximately a rubbish-truck full of garments being dumped every second. As these clothes decompose, they release harmful greenhouse gases that heavily contribute to global warming, many of which shed microplastics, which pollute our oceans and waterways. 

Unfortunately, fast fashion is responsible for the majority of this waste, as these clothes aren’t being made to last. When they break or lose their shape/colour/wearability, they get dumped in the bin and sent to landfill. 

So, instead of heading to Primark the next time you need a new fancy dress outfit or a new pair of summer shorts, why not try heading to a charity shop to see what gems you can find! Charity shops like Oxfam and The British Heart Foundation sell pre-loved clothes for a heavily discounted price, with the proceeds going towards some amazing causes. Check out our blog, How to Be Successful at Charity Shops, to find out all our charity shopping tips and tricks!

If you prefer to shop online, we’ve got the perfect option for you! Vinted is an online platform where you can buy and sell pre-loved clothes, bags, accessories and shoes. With the Vinted App, you can explore endless pre-loved items, filtered to match your size, style and budget. This is a convenient and sustainable way to help reduce clothing waste, decrease the demand for fast fashion and save your hard-earned money!

2. UPCYCLE YOUR CLOTHES - REFRESH YOUR STYLE SUSTAINABLY

Upcycling is the process of reusing and transforming old, unwanted, or damaged garments into new, unique items. This could be using the denim from old jeans to make a sturdy tote bag, or turning your old or oversized t-shirts into a trendy new crop-top! 

When you stumble across an old item of clothing that no longer fits or doesn’t suit your style, get creative! There are endless ways you can transform unwanted items of clothing into things you actually need - all while reducing waste and giving your wardrobe an exciting, sustainable refresh.

3. DONATE UNWANTED CLOTHES TO A LOCAL CHARITY

If textile upcycling isn’t your strong suit (pardon the pun), you could donate your clothes to charity instead! Before donating your clothes, follow these 4 super simple steps:

1.    Sort through your wardrobe by picking out items that you no longer wear or need.
2.    Wash and fold your garments to ensure they are clean and ready for the next person who wears them.
3.    Choose whether you want to donate to a local charity shop or a clothing donation point. Explore how to find your nearest clothing donation point here.
4.    Drop them off, or you could schedule a pickup! Many charities run a regular collection round, so you don’t even have to leave your house.

Donating unwanted clothing is a sustainable way to reduce your carbon footprint, give back to good causes, and declutter your wardrobe.

4. RESEARCH STYLES YOU LOVE (BEFORE HEADING TO THE SHOPS)

Even on your journey to building a sustainable wardrobe, it's inevitable that you’ll need a new item of clothing every so often - whether it's a new work blouse, a dress for an event or a different size of your favourite jeans.

The best way to ensure that you don’t end up impulse buying a whole new wardrobe is to research what you need before heading to the shops! 

LOOK ONLINE FOR INSPIRATION ON STYLES AND SHOPS

Having a look online is a great way of sourcing inspiration on what sort of style you’re looking for and which shops are likely to supply what you need! Of course, if you’re heading to a charity shop, they often don’t have an online inventory you can look through, so the best thing to do in this case is to look online for styles that you’d love to find and keep them in mind as you browse!

TAKE SIGNATURE PIECES FROM YOUR CURRENT WARDROBE WITH YOU

When you do decide to head out to the shops, take some signature items from your wardrobe with you, so that you can try on new items with pieces that you already own. This is a great way to create full outfits, rather than just buying individual pieces that might not work with the rest of your wardrobe. 

This technique will help you reduce the likelihood of having ‘nothing to wear’ - even when you have a whole wardrobe of clothes! Think like a minimalist and remember, quality over quantity. 

5. OPT FOR HIGH-QUALITY FABRICS

Fast fashion generates enormous amounts of poorly made garments, produced from low-quality fabrics, which, on average, last less than 10 wears before they fall apart and get thrown into landfills.

Seeking out responsibly made, high-quality fabrics is a great way to ensure that your clothes are ethically made and produced to last. Some of the most ethical fabrics include organic cotton, linen, hemp and fabrics made from recycled materials. 

In general, these fabrics are made from natural materials and don’t require the same amount of water usage in production as many other fabrics, meaning that they are a more sustainable option for your wardrobe. 

Whilst buying from high street retailers isn’t quite as sustainable as buying second-hand, some shops are changing their policies and striving to become more eco-friendly.

For example, Marks and Spencer has implemented and won global recognition for its ‘Plan A Sustainability Program’. 

This program has made many changes and goals to promote sustainability, which include:

• Ensuring all key materials, including cotton, are sourced sustainably.
• Aiming to make all packaging widely recyclable.
• Setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its worldwide operations by 80%.

Being mindful of which fabrics you buy and from which retailers is an essential part of building a sustainable wardrobe that will last a lifetime. 

6. FIND SOME SUSTAINABLE STAPLES TO BUILD YOUR WARDROBE AROUND

When building your sustainable wardrobe, it’s a good idea to find some sustainable staples that you can build the rest of your wardrobe around. This will help you create a versatile, long-lasting collection to help you save money and the environment!

Our sustainable wardrobe essentials include:

• Organic cotton t-shirts are made without harsh pesticides and use less water than non-organic cotton, making them much better for the environment.
• Linen or hemp shirts come from plants which use very little water and no synthetic fertilisers, which means that they’re naturally biodegradable.
• Recycled wool jumpers reduce waste and use renewable fibres, which means they don’t require lots of new resources to make.
• Bamboo leggings come from sustainable plants, which are ethically sourced, as well as being breathable, sweat-wicking and super soft.  

Choosing some basic, eco-friendly items to pair with other clothes helps create a varied wardrobe that’s stylish, sustainable and long-lasting.

7. CARING FOR YOUR CLOTHES SO THEY LAST A LIFETIME

An essential part of creating a sustainable wardrobe is caring for your garments so that they’ll last a lifetime. Whilst it may sound daunting, with the right tools and knowledge, you can keep your garments looking and feeling great for a very long time.

STORE YOUR GARMENTS WITH CARE

The longer your garments last, the less you’ll need to buy over your lifetime. Storing these garments carefully in your wardrobe will reduce the risk of fabric deterioration, snagging, discolouration, and moth holes.

When hanging items in your wardrobe, it's best to use a Rubber Non-Slip Hanger to keep your garments in place, ensuring that they don’t end up at the bottom of your wardrobe, where they’re likely to get dirty or damaged.

For longer or fuller items like coats, gowns, or special occasion wear, consider storing them in Garment Storage Bags. This helps protect delicate fabrics from dust, snagging, and fading, keeping your clothes in great condition for longer. 

Another sustainable way of keeping your garments fresh is to use a Hanging Sachet in your wardrobe. These small biodegradable sachets won’t take up precious space in your wardrobe, but they will leave your clothes smelling gorgeous, all while warding off those dreaded clothes moths.

SUSTAINABLE MOTH PROTECTION IS A MUST

Clothes moths are one of the biggest contributors to damaged garments, which is why sustainable moth protection is an absolute non-negotiable if you want a hole-free, long-lasting wardrobe! Whilst clothes moth season usually occurs between spring and summer, clothes moths can be present at any time of year. 

The Moth Decoy is a sustainable clothes moth protection tool which uses a pheromone tablet, placed in a cardboard box. When the male moth comes into contact with the pheromone tablet, it confuses their mating signals and interrupts the breeding cycle. As the moth lifecycle is interrupted, moth numbers quickly and significantly decrease, without any moths being killed. 

This is a vegan, cruelty-free and biodegradable way of protecting your garments from those dreaded moth holes! 

WASH DELICATE FABRICS CAREFULLY

Washing garments without checking their care labels is one of the easiest ways to accidentally ruin your favourite clothes. You should always double-check the labels of your garments each time you put a load of washing on - even if you’re sure you know, it never hurts to confirm!

However, washing clothes isn’t just about putting them on at the right temperature and spin cycle. Choosing the right detergent is just as important. The harsh chemicals in many branded detergents can break down garment fibres, fade colours and irritate the skin. 

Opting for a gentle, eco-friendly Laundry Liquid helps protect both your garments and the environment, extending the life of your wardrobe while reducing your carbon footprint.

LEARN SOME SIMPLE REPAIRS

Got a loose button on your favourite blouse? Don’t worry - we’ve got you! Having a small Sewing Kit on hand is all you need to be able to patch up your minor wardrobe mishaps. Quick repairs like sewing on a button or closing a small hole don’t require expert sewing skills, just a few minutes and a needle and thread.

Learning your way around a small sewing kit is a valuable skill if you want to build a sustainable wardrobe with long-lasting clothes.

8. ROTATE YOUR SEASONAL WARDROBE TO REDUCE WEAR AND WASTE

A wonderful way of creating a sustainable wardrobe that serves you all year round is to separate your garments into summer and winter collections. By carefully storing your clothes away when they aren’t in season, you can create more space in your wardrobe, reducing the risk of damaged or lost garments.

Before storing anything away, give your garments a quick refresh to ensure they’re clean and dry, as oils, dirt and moisture can deteriorate the fabric and attract moths. Once your garments are clean and fresh, they should be neatly folded and placed in breathable Storage Bags or Storage Boxes to keep them safe from moths and general damage. 

Having a seasonal wardrobe gives you a break from wearing the same clothes all year round. Garments that have been carefully stored away will feel almost brand new when you haven’t seen them in months, which will (hopefully) make you less inclined to ‘impulse buy’ lots of new clothes. 

NEED MORE ADVICE? 

Building a sustainable wardrobe doesn’t require perfection - it requires intention. By making small changes to your wardrobe and your mindset, you’re already halfway there. 

For more advice on sustainable wardrobe essentials, feel free to contact our dedicated team, who’ll be happy to help you on your journey!