When we do get new (to us) clothes what should we be looking out for?

Global garment production has more than doubled since 2000. This cycle of production and waste contributes 4% of global green house gas emissions (more than France, Germany and UK COMBINED!).

Can you avoiding buying all together?

  • Borrow items off friends and family
  • Hire outfits for a one off event (weddings, award ceremonies etc)

If you do need to/want to buy something, buy second hand first.

  • Op shops
  • Clothes swaps
  • Pre-loved clothing sales
  • Vintage stores
  • Online second-hand stores

If we are buying new. What should we do?

Firstly, we should be supporting clothing companies who are already doing the right thing. The gold standard here being Patagonia. Patagonia take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their clothing.

  • using recycle fibres
  • using organic cotton
  • offers free repairs!
  • items can be returned to them at the end of their usefulness and Patagonia repurposes them or recycles

Then we can try buying clothes locally made and/or from locally sourced materials.

Buy clothes made of natural fibres rather than plastic.

Polyester is made from fossil fuels. Not all natural fibres are grown sustainably, but generally this is a better option as it stops nano-plastics getting into our waterways from washing and wear. 

Buy quality, timeless items you’d love to wear over and over again.

  • Buy the highest quality items you can find and afford so that will last a long time.
  • Choose items that can be worn multiple times, perhaps in different ways or combinations and that will not go ‘out of fashion’ quickly.

Own less.

These options aren’t for everyone, but some of us might enjoy thinking about a capsule wardrobe or going on the one dress adventure.

Project 333  Wear just 33 items for 3 months and get back all the JOY you were missing while you were worrying about what to wear. 

100 Day Challenge  Join this 100 day challenge and wear one dress for 100 days.

 

Let us know what you decide to do and tag us in any photos of your successful on social media @asinglelefsouthwest on FaceBook and Instagram.

 

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