If you are usually tempted by new season launches from your favourite brands, the start of the Winter season may have you eyeing up a selection of new clothes. Whether you have rotated your wardrobe this year or not, the Winter clothes you own already can still be part of your new Winter wardrobe. So, why not consider the possibility of a more sustainable winter.
In this article we look briefly at the fashion problem followed by the positive steps you can take to satisfy your desire to shop, whilst simultaneously helping the planet.
Impact
The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters. In fact, one kilogram of clothing over its entire life cycle creates 11 kilograms of greenhouse gases. (McKinsey 2016).
It is estimated that 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is created each year, globally, and the equivalent to a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second.
The global fashion industry is estimated to be worth 3 trillion dollars, yet approximately 300 million people who produce cotton are still living in poverty. (Fairtrade 2017)
Top 4 things we can all do
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion (also known as eco-fashion) is an all-inclusive term describing products, processes, activities, and actors (policymakers, brands, consumers) aiming to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry, built on equality, social justice, animal welfare, and ecological integrity.
wikipedia
Always remember. The most sustainable fashion on the planet, is the fashion that you already own.
We spoke to some fashion stylist and fashion bloggers to get their top tips for elevating the clothes you have already and spending less this Winter.
Sounds simple enough, but our top tip, is to remove your summer clothes from the wardrobe and drawers and neatly pack them away. Now, you can organise the remaining items and see more clearly everything you have to wear.
Put to one side any item which needs to be repaired, you can come back to those later.
Do not pack away the bright funky pieces from Summer, such as bright t-shirts and shirts with slogans, these still have a place in your Winter wardrobe, and you can use these for layering.
"My two style tips for men to sustainably transition to winter are layer up and accessorize."
Garik Himebaugh. Chief Stylist & Founder at Eco-Stylist.com
Many summer pieces can be repurposed for winter simply by layering. For example, your summer chinos and tee can be paired with a sweater or blazer for a quick winter outfit. Alternatively, your jeans and button-up can be worn under a sweater, with an overcoat on top for chillier days.
Accessories are a great way to elevate and add interest to your outfits. Do you wear the same things often? Try adding a necklace, watch, or bow tie, and suddenly it is a new look. Accessories can make you look sharper without having to add new clothes to your closet. Try it!
"Lay out your winter clothes and have a look at them all together. Chances are, there are plenty of combinations you haven’t thought of yet, that are going to look great, and make you feel as though you’re wearing a brand-new outfit. Try layering and accessorising with basic pieces."
Emma Hakansson. Vegan writer, artist, creative director, and model.
You can follow Emma on Instagram.
"When it comes to winter it is all about the layers. You can always add more on and if you get hot—remove some. Use this to your advantage when styling your outfits. Utilise scarves and jackets. Thick socks and tights or leggings. Mix and max colours and prints."
Gianna Ciaramello. Designer and the author of mangiano! the vegan Italian cookbook.
You can follow Gianna on Instagram.
"The key is to think outside the box. How can you layer typically “spring” and “summer” pieces into a transitional wardrobe for fall? Think neutral sundresses layered over turtlenecks, or summer skirts with tights. It is about getting playful and creative with layering.
If you are bored with your wardrobe, it would be good to look at how you can style the pieces you already own in interesting ways and possibly re-working them altogether. Tie dye, cutting, hemming, and playing with how you can change the silhouettes you already have in your closet into fresh looking pieces."
MABBH Magazine. The fashion, beauty and wellness magazine.
Why not set yourself the challenge of seeing how many new combinations you can make from everything you have already. And remember accessorising can change your whole outfit.
If you want to invest in any new pieces, choose classic, timeless, and high-quality items which will last. Buying less and buying well is always a better option over shopping fast-fashion pieces, that won't be in your wardrobe very long.
Give clothes a second life
After your garment has lived a long and productive life, it inevitably comes time to say goodbye. Instead of sending it to a landfill, why not give it a second use? Recycle it, upcycle it, give it away or sell it.
Visit Fashion for Good to find out more and to find resources to help divert your old clothes from landfill.
Follow us on:
