Sustainability within the fashion industry is something that we are discussing an increasing amount. We are more aware than ever of the impact that our consumerism has on the planet and the people on it. Opening up this discussion can only be a good thing, making us all more aware of our roles and responsibilities when scanning through this season’s new trends. Like many of us, sI am starting to question how sustainable both my wardrobe and spending habits are. How can I ensure that the items I buy are from more ethically sourced brands? What steps can I take to improve the situation? How do I know which fabrics are ok for the planet and which are harmful? I have a budget, and although in an ideal world I would only shop with highly ethical and responsible brands, it isn’t always possible. 

I’m still doing my homework on how best to approach this and what I can do to make a difference on a micro level. I am not perfect, far from it, and I still have a lot to learn, but I do think that if it is within our gift to do even the smallest things to make a positive difference then we should. As I build my own tactics for approaching the issue I will share them, but for now one thing that I am doing so much more of and advocating is simply re-wearing the items you already have.

It can be so tempting at the start of each season to go out and fill your wardrobe with brand new and exciting pieces. One quick scroll through Instagram or a look at Youtube and you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s the new normal. In reality it isn’t. For most people buying a whole new wardrobe just isn’t an option. And what’s more most people simply don’t need to. Most items will last at least a couple of seasons if you take care of them (yes even that Zara jumper that you picked up in the sale 2 years ago). The idea that we should be keeping up with everyone else wardrobe and that every occasion, no matter how big or small, requires a new outfit is ludicrous, but one that so many of us have fallen victim to. Instead, this season I have examined what I already have more carefully and really thought about what I actually need to replace. It turns out that I actually still love so many items in my wardrobe from last year. Yes, some of these I spent a little more on, but the vast majority are items that you can pick up on any good high street. Some items are even being bought out for their 3rd or 4th year, and I am very happy about that. 

The key to making your old wardrobe seem all exciting and new again is finding a way to inspire yourself with it. I started by looking at all of the items I had loved last year, remembering how I had worn them and re-imagining some of these looks. Last year I made more of an effort to buy items that would work well within my existing wardrobe, with a focus on basics and classic styles. This year it is serving me well. I by no means have a capsule wardrobe but it’s definitely more of an edited collection than I have ever had before and I have far fewer “but i have nothing to wear!” moments than I used to. Try on the clothes you loved last year, remind yourself why you loved them and treat going through your wardrobe as a whole new shopping experience. I find this always works particularly well if you’re someone who puts each season’s clothes into storage before the start of the next as it feels like you are rediscovering everything. 

Chances are that throughout the year you have added new items to your wardrobe. Even if you didn’t necessarily buy the items for the current season it doesn’t mean that they aren’t versatile enough to work now. This camel skirt for example was bought back in March, after the intense bout of snow, and when the weather was finally warming up. I paired it with white blouses, cami tops and t-shirts all summer but didn’t want to pack it away just because the weather had changed. Thanks to the slightly heavier fabric and long length it’s still a relatively warm item, even though the temperature has started to drop. Worn with black boots and a roll-neck jumper this skirt has given me a whole new round of outfits that will be appropriate all autumn. On the chillier mornings I will throw on a pair of leggings underneath and roll them up so they can’t be seen under the skirt, and when the weather gets even colder I will probably move to tights. The same can be said for slip or shirt dresses that you bought back in the Spring. Layer over a roll neck and a pair of tights and you have a new set of outfits all ready to go. Re-imagining your old items alongside the newer leaves you feeling like you have a whole new collection of looks and can re-ignite that enthusiasm instantly. 

Just because you are looking to re-wear more of your wardrobe, whether that’s to save money or from a sustainability standpoint, it doesn’t mean that you can’t pick up anything new at all. Sometimes a small trend-led accessory is all a bag needs to refresh the look, or a hat can change an entire look. It gives your wardrobe more versatility and a small scarf is a much more thoughtful investment than 3 or 4 new jumpers. There’s also no reason why you cant pick up a few larger items too, just do this with an idea of longevity in mind. This season I have really focused on getting more wear out of last year’s wardrobe but I have still picked up a few new things. These purchases were well considered and really identified gaps within my wardrobe so I knew that they would slot in and work well but I wasn’t just doubling up on the items I already owned. I also picked items that I knew I would wear at least once a week for the next few months and things that I would likely still love come next year. 

So many of us can do better when it comes to the sustainability of our wardrobes. From excessive consumerism to the environmental impact, it’s an important discussion that needs to be had. As Pandora Sykes recently said, choosing to shop sustainable is exactly that, a choice. Not all of us have that freedom of choice, particularly as more sustainably sourced and ethical brands do have a higher price tag. But there are at least little thing that most of us can do, and if we can then it’s important that we do. 

I certainly do not have it all figured out and I have a lot of learning to do. Longer term I would love to make sure that my wardrobe and the bands I shop with are all as ethical and sustainable as possible, and whilst I can’t achieve that right now there are little things that I can do. Even if you just decide to to buy one or two fewer items a month it all adds up to make a big difference.

I’d be interested to hear how you are approaching this ever-growing area of discussion, what steps are you taking to be more sustainable in your approach to fashion and what’s your biggest piece of advice?