Clothing Alternatives

In a world that fashion is one of the top producers for waste, and is something that as a society we have created an idea that we always need more (and even if you are a minimalistic person, still find yourself needing to at least purchase clothes every so often), adjusting your shopping habits when it comes to clothes is one of the biggest ways you can reduce your impact, and even help with decreasing the growth of fast fashion and product creation that exists in the world today.

Here are 4 ways to help cut back on your impact when it comes to clothes.

Mom & Pop Shop

The first way, though not always practical due to the high cost associated with these shops, is to buy local brands. While the product might not be 100% zero emissions nor is the produce life end much of a thought, it does support the local economy, places an importance on ensuring the labour to produce the product receive a living wage, encourages slow production, and usually these stores tend to be transparent on where their materials/products are from.

*And while this is not always the case, using the post I created on spotting greenwashing can be a way to determine if the local shop really is trying to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly in the work they do.

Circular Fashion Brands

Whether you have heard it called a Circular brand, or the store markets themselves as an environmentally friend store because they only produces materials out of previously used thread/materials, utilizes all material created (including the scraps), has a take-back program, or takes previously created products, breaks them down, and reuses the materials to create a new product, the concept of a circular fashion brand is an upcoming idea. With companies such as Patagonia and REI jumping on board to resell already used gear and the Girlfriend Collective taking old items like umbrellas or water bottles and turning them into new products, there are several different ways companies can be more circular.

Purchasing from a circular brand, while expensive, does offer an alternative solution to the current model where we take clothes, wear them, and then bin them when they are finish, and finds solutions to keep those materials in the cycle for a longer period of time. This can help in several aspects, from limiting the need to create raw material, to finding solutions to dispose of materials that do not break down so easily, or creating materials that are compostable and can be used a fertilizer for future products, and evening allowing guests to buy the product they desire at a third of the cost through a second-hand solution.

Mending/Sewing

If you are looking at replacing your item just because a button is missing or there is a hole, easily fixing the product is an alternative solution to just going and buying it. Even some companies, such as Patagonia, offer services to teach you how to fix the product so that it can continue to be used.

And an even more inventive way to reduce waste and the need to purchase new items is taking those items that you no longer desire to use and turning them into something else, whether that is taking those pair of jeans and create a patch jacket, or the t-shirts and making them in to a blanket, there are ways to continue to use the fabric that is produced and alter the product to meet you needs and wants.

Charity Stores/Second-Hand Shops

The last big option for clothes shopping is to check out local charity shops or second-hand stores. Not only are these places great for pricing, but usually you can find a steal. I have found some never worn (tag still attached) shirts, cashmere sweaters, and high-end fashion brands at these places for way less than the cost of what they would be if I bought it first-hand. And with the creation of sites such as Depop and ThreadUp you can even take the hassle of having to go and pick through rails of clothes and search for what you want all at the click of a button. And this solution is also great on the other side, when you are ready to get rid of your shirt or shoes you can donate them back to these stores, thus allowing it to have another life.