Strive for Sustainable Style

About the Author

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

Strive for Sustainable Style

on April 3, 2024

Sustainability is a complex subject. There are no easy solutions and there are many compromises. Reflect on what sustainable and ethical fashion means for you and your style. The problems won’t go away unless we all act.

Purchase from sustainable brands. Purchase items with longevity. Take care of clothing so it lasts. Repair, recycle, and upcycle. Shop your wardrobe instead of the store. Rent, swap, donate and resell. Recycle to prevent items going to the landfill.

Sustainability means different things for different people, and some can manage it more easily than others. It’s not a contest, so compare, but do not despair. If you’re making a point of being sustainable your way, you will be part of the solution.

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31 comments · Add a comment

Sisi

Veteran

My attempt at being as far as possible sustainable style-wise consists in keeping a moderate wardrobe, avoiding fast-fashion, purchasing good quality items that last forever, wearing my clothes to the ground and when they are no more presentable taking them to the recycle bin. A drop in the ocean, I know. It is a complex subject as you say but at least I am glad to see that people are becoming more and more aware of this matter.

April 3, 2024 at 4:53 am

April

Veteran

Really important. I am lucky to live near a high-end consignment shop so buying resale is easy and I love The Real Real as long as the item permits a return. (I feel sure *those* returned items, unlike returns to a typical online retail chain, do not go into a landfill.)

I’ve had success with eBay too.

April 3, 2024 at 5:28 am

Dee

Veteran

Sustainability is a complex subject and as you mentioned there are many ways to try an achieve it. I now shop second hand much more often, and I also keep an inventory of my wardrobe so I don’t overbuy an item I already have plenty of. I want clothes that can stand the test of time so any new piece is carefully considered not just for its style, but also its timeless quality, durability and compatibility with what I already own.

I also feel that major fast fashion brands need to be held more accountable for the environmental damage that their overproduction produces.

April 3, 2024 at 5:46 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for your good thoughts, and even better actions!

I’m clearing up a misconception about some fast fashion brands – like H&M and Zara – who produce more sustainably and ethically than one expects. They are on “the good list” when you do the research – surprisingly. Almost all the brands here on YLF are. Things have come a long way in that regard. Thankfully

April 3, 2024 at 6:41 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Filling landfills is a biggie and needs to be prevented as much as you can.

Dee’s point about taking stock of what you have is extremely important. Ethical and sustainable wardrobe and style practices begin by being organized. I highly recommend representing your wardrobe digitally and being vigilant about updating it to keep the info current. There is no substitute!

April 3, 2024 at 6:48 am

BlueJay

Veteran

I try to be sustainable with my wardrobe by:
-enjoying and wearing what I already have, sometimes for decades;
-mending and taking care of my clothes, not over washing items, hanging to dry;
-consider my consumption and not impulse buy, I usually wait for a few days before making a purchase including at B&M stores and also consider how many times I will wear or use the item;
-buy better quality items so they last (so I consume less);
-shop consignment or thrift first;
-donate, consign, or pass on to friends and family items that no longer bring me joy.

I wish textiles were not so “blended” with various fibres as it would be more achievable to recycle materials and reuse them.

April 3, 2024 at 7:08 am

Eliza

Veteran

I appreciate all the info on sustainable clothing and am focused on longevity as I move forward with a greatly reduced wardrobe. Increasing sustainability and minimizing waste is a learning curve, but having a good handle on my closet left me a very, very short list of gaps to fill as Angie and others suggest. A very satisfying place to be. I am also fortunate that there are local ways to pass on pieces in good condition to organizations or individuals who appreciate them.

April 3, 2024 at 7:14 am

morethanbeige

Veteran

I have been horrible about this in the past and have recently been trying to change my behavior and become more aware of my actions. I think this is really important. Thanks for highlighting, Angie.

April 3, 2024 at 7:29 am

Bonnie

Veteran

I’ve been thinking about this and trying to do my bit for the past three years. I’ve significantly reduced the number of purchases I make each year from 30+ to under 10. I started with a full closet so I had plenty and any new purchases replace worn items. Making fewer impulse purchases has helped me and was probably the hardest behavior to change but so worth it. Waiting a bit before purchasing was key in changing this.

April 3, 2024 at 7:45 am

nuancedream

Veteran

For me, sustainability is always a top consideration for wardrobe management. Buy less and buy better quality, preferably pre-loved. Focusing on sustainability has resulted in a wardrobe that makes getting dressed each day a pleasure, not a stress-inducing experience. I have cultivated great relationships with the owners of various consignment/vintage/thrift stores in my area. So when it’s time to find items new homes, I have trusted places that can do that.

April 3, 2024 at 8:15 am

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Angie, these are good thoughts about different ways we can contribute. Also good to know about Zara and H&M, and the brands you highlight on YLF. More reason to take my shopping cues here. I’m not a thrifter, and I’m not as mindful as I could be about sustainable fashion. In general, I am much more emotional than organized about my wardrobe, which leads me to some ill-considered decisions.

April 3, 2024 at 8:52 am

cat2

Veteran

I’m a fan of natural fibers; there are some really good options for almost everything I buy. Then I know I am contributing less to the microplastics problem. I also keep things forever and wear them out. Your site with all the styling and trend ideas gives me inspiration for how to shop my closet, which really helps keep the churn down.

April 3, 2024 at 9:07 am

rachylou

Veteran

I put the dtying rack back up. I want to rely less on the dryer for my work clothes – and hopefully I’ll not only use less energy but also they’ll last longer. They do get really abused.

April 3, 2024 at 9:41 am

sarah

Veteran

Thank you for this! I’ve been trying to stay away from “fast fashion”, and purchase higher quality items that will outlive the trends. I also focus more on purchasing natural fibers. And I rarely use the clothes dryer – only for towels, honestly. The one place where I fall down is workout gear. I’m an avid cross-country skier, and while I can find wool base layers and socks, it’s hard to avoid polyester for outer layers.

April 3, 2024 at 9:50 am

Allora

Active Member

I’ve been doing the following:
1. Buying less and mostly secondhand
2. No fast fashion
3. Anything I’m done with goes to consignment, donated or offered to friends
4. Focus more on natural fibers (I really need to concentrate more on this one)
5. Rack dry more of my clothing items to make them last longer.

I saw somewhere that Shein posted a really huge profit for last year, I think $2 billion. Ugh.

April 3, 2024 at 10:16 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think I could improve considerably in this regard. Things I’m already good about:

1. Washing carefully, not using the dryer for much.
2. Keeping a huge proportion of my clothing (at least a third of my wardrobe) from anywhere between 5-10+ years. (Exceptions here are summer tops, which wear out faster for me, some knitwear, and footwear, which I need to replace because it wears out fast!)
3. Buying some items second-hand.
4. Considering (but often not fully understanding) the sustainability practices of the places I buy from.

I think the least sustainable aspect of my wardrobe is that I buy a fair bit! Of course, some years the purchases are more substantial than others. But I do not think I could get down to 10 purchases per year, as Bonnie has, for example. For me — 20 would be a low number. And I have mixed feelings about it all. I went for so many years without a decent working closet. I derive great joy from my fashion hobby. Yet I care about the effects on the planet. So it is complicated, for sure.

April 3, 2024 at 10:18 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

IMPRESSIVE!

Well done, everyone. Love that you are doing your bit

Cat2 and Sharan, appreciate the kind words!

A few thoughts:

– Tencel is made of wood and is biodegradable. It’s thought of as more eco-friendly than regular cotton, which uses a LOT of water to produce.

– Buying wardrobe items is not the enemy when you are thoughtful about it. (Suz, you are!) Keeping the economy going is GOOD (like I mentioned – the issues are very complex). It’s how the items are passed on that require attention. Pass them on in good condition for someone else to wear if you are done with the item.

– Quality is hard to guarentee, so despite our best attentions, that part puts a spanner in the works.

– I wouldn’t worry about wearing trends, and not wearing them. These days, almost anything goes because the industry is trying to offer sustainable solutions. Items are not dated the way they used to be. If you can make an item work well for your style – WEAR IT.

April 3, 2024 at 11:28 am

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I personally find it all almost impossible. And with the profits sustained by the likes of Shein (and probably other fast fashion brands as well) then despite our efforts on this forum, which I applaud, I feel there are forces against sustainability that will overwhelm our efforts. Here there is some new brand called Temu which I believe is similar to Shein. It appeared a year or so back and its advertising is everywhere. In a cost-of-living crisis it’s not surprising people will turn to these brands.
I am personally trying not to buy from Zara (one blouse 2015) or H&M because of the sheer number of items they put into a world which is drowning in clothes, even if reasonably sustainably produced. I am copying Jenn from this forum in that regard.
And I am making awesome progress in wearing all my clothes more and buying less. No purchases this calendar year so far. I will keep going on my efforts but not sure how much they will help the world! They will make me feel better I guess.

April 3, 2024 at 11:32 am

JAileen

Veteran

Here in the high desert, one thing we think about all the time is water. I read something about washing machines and apparently the more detergent you use, the more water the machine uses to rinse it out. I read that we should use only one tablespoon of detergent per load. This seems like hardly any, but I’ve started using this very small amount and my clothes still look clean.

April 3, 2024 at 11:47 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

JAileen, the newer washers explicitly are designed to use a very small amount of detergent. A good change!

It is inspiring to hear how others are handling this. And Angie, I appreciate the support. I pass along my no longer wanted items to my stepdaughter (if they are vegan-friendly) and to a women’s shelter here in town where I know they get worn by those who need them.

April 3, 2024 at 12:36 pm

Suntiger

Active Member

I like to check my local shops (boutiques and consignment) first, to keep money in my community. I support local farms and artisans as well for my food and other goods.

Aside from that, keeping a small one in one out wardrobe, hanging things to dry, and donating things locally. I’m also switching to more no waste products like laundry sheets and toothpaste tablets.

April 3, 2024 at 1:27 pm

mamark

Active Member

When I find something from a particular brand I like that fits me well, I look for it secondhand. I currently buy most of my casual pants from Mercari – Talbots chinos in navy blue, mostly. Almost all of my Eileen Fisher sweaters are secondhand, worn after a 3 week siesta in the freezer just in case of moths, which I am paranoid about.

It’s time for me to get rid of most of my pre-pandemic heels & of course I will donate them, but I don’t know who’s buying heels right now. Not sure they won’t end up in the landfill, which crushes me because I took so long to find just the right ones.

April 3, 2024 at 2:35 pm

Sal

Veteran

It’s really important. My focus is on good choices at the start (things that will last and be of interest to me for a few years) and also on wearing them once I have them. There are areas where duplication is helpful (gym gear and black tops being the main ones for me) but I don’t need multiples in many areas.

April 3, 2024 at 2:53 pm

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Good reminder! I love to get most stuff secondhand, but sometimes fall into the trap of department store sales. One thing I can work on is spot cleaning clothes instead of throwing them immediately in the wash.

April 3, 2024 at 4:23 pm

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It is a complex issue, and like Jenni, it is hard not to be discouraged when Shein posts such huge profits. Nonetheless, every bit counts and I agree there are many ways to be thoughtful about this. I wear almost exclusively second hand and have done so for a long time but there are other ways I could try harder. Thanks for the reminder.

April 3, 2024 at 4:46 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for doing your bit, everyone! Good for you and Planet Earth.

JenniNZ and Jaime, I believe that our collective actions help to some degree, and you are both doing a great job

JAileen, YES! I use very little detergent for presisely that reason. Works well!

Suz, excellent avenues for passing on your items!

AND REMEMBER!!! That if it weren't for people passing on great condition wardrobe items – there would be no secondhand market, which many of you greatly enjoy. So purchasing firsthand has its benefits. For the economy too. It’s part of the "circle of wardrobe item life".

April 3, 2024 at 4:51 pm

Brooklyn

Veteran

Good advice on a big and complex topic. I think about this a lot and am far from perfect. The main thing I am trying to achieve is a wardrobe consisting mostly of items that I wear frequently, with a small (but still important) component of occasional wear. That means buying for my real life (including lifestyle, weather). I do experiment but I make purchase decisions carefully. I try to plan ahead and think about what vibe I am going for, rather than impulse buy. In that process, I look inwards and try not to be overly influenced by what others wear or think looks good. That can lead to mistakes. I try to buy mostly natural fibres (like you I consider viscose, modal and tencel to be natural fibres). I buy mostly separates because they mix and match and that can help with wardrobe boredom. I give each new addition a good mix and match try out at home before deciding to keep it. I shop second hand frequently and have had some success (not as much as I’d like). I upcycle when I can. I air dry everything. I donate items in good condition and recycle those that aren’t.

I will stick up for retailers like Zara and H&M because they have brought high fashion at affordable prices to the masses. Clothing and presentation is important in society and provides joy to a lot of people. Style should not be an elite pursuit. That doesn’t mean that I endorse a disposable attitude towards clothing, which is an unfortunate by-product of affordability. Responsible retailers are trying to be part of the circular economy. That should be encouraged and rewarded.

April 3, 2024 at 4:57 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brooklyn, we posted at the same time

You are doing great! LOVE your strategies. Please carry on.

I'm with you 100% on sticking up for Zara and H&M for the reasons you mentioned. I'll add that if you are discerning about quality – Zara items last a long time. I have very good luck with Zara, personally.

Furthermore, as a woman, I support Zara because at the end of 2023, 75% of their workforce was women, which includes levels right at the top.

April 3, 2024 at 5:05 pm

Runcarla

Veteran

Every little bit counts, and I appreciate the learnings gleaned from blog posts like this, ‘Link Loves’, and tips shared by forum members.

April 3, 2024 at 8:34 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great!

April 4, 2024 at 9:19 am

fin42

Active Member

Yes, yes, yes. I’ve always bought second-hand clothes or from discount stores. Thankfully I’m old enough now to not have to follow trends. This site helps us all to develop our own individual style without being dictated to by the retailers.

April 7, 2024 at 2:55 pm

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