How To Sustainably Shop For Clothes

I. LOVE. CLOTHES. New clothes, old clothes, fancy clothes, athletic clothes, I love them all and if I had the space I would own one (in some cases 2) of everything. There are an infinite number of ways to express yourself when it comes to what you wear, but have you ever considered how what you wear aligns with what you value?

As consumers we have a resposibility to ensure that the money we spend is being given to businesses that are helping to build the kind of world we want to live in. Many of the largest fashion brands have made it clear that they aren't concerned with the amount of waste they produce or where that waste ends up, and our planet is suffering becasue of it. Beaches all over the world are littered with clothing waste from brands like Adidas, Forever 21, SHEIN and Nike, but those brands aren’t willing to make environmentally friendly changes. And just as a reminder, if this planet dies, we're cooked (I think that's what the kids are saying these days. One of the best ways to help stop this problem is to quit buying new clothes, which sounds crazy, but hear me out…

If you're like me and you love clothes, especially new clothes, it can feel like a punishment to abstain from buying new things, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Being a crafty creative I've managed to come up with some great ways to get that new clothes fix without actually buying anything new. With some creativity, resourcefulness and my helpful tips you'll be a sustainable fashionista with a closet bursting full of options. Here’s my top suggestions to get you shopping sustainably:

Local Thrift Stores

vintage storefront sidewalk

Local thrift stores are gonna be one of the top resources for getting like-new and sometimes even new new, clothes. I can't tell you how often I see things with the tags still on them, or multiples of the same items...it's like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get! So even if you're the type that doesn't like the idea of wearing something someone else has worn, you should still consider checking out what the places in your town have. Be sure to do a little research before you head out, that way you'll know which shops have the best selection and prices.

Poshmark

screenshot of Poshmark.com

A few years ago I had a phase where I was really into finding hi-top Nike wedge sneakers. Something about the lift of a heel with the casualness of a gym shoe really speaks to my particular sense of style, and for that I will not apologize! Since this specific shoe isn't very poplular, it took some time for me to figure out where I had to look, and thats when www.poshmark.com entered the chat. Not only did they have what I was looking for, they had a lot of things, that a lot of people were looking for. In addition to being able to find limited edition pieces, you can also make extra money from the stuff that you no longer want. I'm not that into name brands and designer clothes which means I don't have much in the way of sellable goods so I can't speak to that side of the site, but it's never a bad idea to have an extra

stream of income.

Upcycle

upcycled denim dress

By looking at the clothes you already have in a new way you can stretch each item farther and get the most out of it. Maybe you're tired of that oversized hoodie, but by turning it inside out and making a few cuts, you could create a fresh new sweatshirt that's truly one of a kind. There are hundreds of no-sew options for turning clothes into other clothes, so you don't even need to have any special equipment to start upcycling. Sometimes it can be as simple as realizing that you can wear your shirt as a skirt, or maybe that some ribbon and fabric glue is an instant tuxedo stripe for pants.

Friends & Family

If you’ve got friends and family, then you likely have an untapped resource for new clothes. Everyone does closet cleanouts so be sure to take advantage of your circle and let them know that you wanna raid their closet before they decide to get rid of things. Even if they have a style or size drastically different than your own, you still may be able to find great material to work with.

eBay

This is similar to raiding closets, but on a larger scale! www.ebay.com has thousands of sellers and with a little effort you can find anyhting from trendy designer duds to obscure vintage frocks and everything in between.

Get Alt

bubble wrap

If you've ever watched Project Runway, then you know that unconventional materials can sometimes make the best looks. Think outside of the fabric box and embrace alternative materials. If you need an idea of how to shake it up, look no further than your dining room table. Tablecloths are the obvious answer, but if we get a little alternative we could discover something else that would be less expected. A few placemats stitched together could make an eye catching statement top. If you've got wicker style placemats, you could pair it with a flowy scarf and turn it into a boho beachy look. I also think that bubble wrap could make some very cool pieces, I would personally love a bubble wrap pencil skirt and crop top combo! I'm currently in the process of turning a shade for car windshields into a skirt becasue I love the futuristic vibe it gives. My point is, just because it's not actual fabric doesn't mean you can't wear it like it is.

Rent The Runway

If you're addicted to the latest designer labels, you can still get your fix in a sustainable way. RentTheRunway.com offers you a chance to sport all your designer faves in a way that doesn't contribute to more fashion waste. It can also save you some money since you don't have to buy the piece outright. It also allows you to try multiple items at a much lower cost than buying them retail.

Buy Clothes Made From Organic Natural Fabrics

bolts of linen fabric

It takes an insane amount of water to make 1 cotton shirt, roughly 700 gallons! So while it is a great idea to wear natural fibers, it's also important to ensure that those fibers are being produced in a sustainable way. Organic fabrics are manufactured using sustainable practices that reduce water waste and environmental pollution. Things like cotton, jute, linen, silk, wool, alpaca, cashmere and hemp can all be manufactured in a way that’s earth friendly. While these items tend to come with a higher price tag, they're a higher caliber of textile so with proper care, they will last you much longer than a fast fashion haul. Sometimes ya gotta go for quality over quantity.

Do a Clothing Swap

pile of folded clothes

Not only is a clothing swap a fun way to get new clothes for free, it also makes for a fun hangout with your friends or neighbors. You can even make an event out of it by having food and more categories than just clothing. Purses, shoes or even home goods are also easy swap options.

Join Your Local Buy Nothing

Chances are you have a Facebook account that you never look at, and if that's the case, you should log in and take advantage of your social network. Depending on your neighborhood, you may be able to join a local buy nothing group. The concept is exactly how it sounds, you can get all sorts of things for nothing. Folks post what they're looking to unload and do a raffle style choosing. There’s also the option to make a post about what you’re looking for, that way you can get multiple responses in one go. I can't tell you how many items, clothing and otherwise, that I've scored through my neighborhood buy nothing. It's definitely worth it to join even if you'll just be a looky loo.

Shop an Estate Sale

full clothing rack

If you're a lover of vintage fashion then you've probably already found yourself at an estate sale. If you're not familiar, it's similar to a garage sale just on a larger scale. Normally the entire house, or estate, is open for you to walk through and peruse what's for sale. You can often find vintage clothes and unique window coverings that can be used for fabric. In addition to clothes, you might even score some new home decor!

DIY Clothing

The best way to get your hands on clothes that truly represent who you are and what you're all about is by doing it yourself. I started making clothes because I couldn't find what I wanted when I went shopping, this forced me to bust out the sewing machine that my mother-in-law gave me, buy some patterns and let good ol YouTube University fill in the rest. Not only will you be able to make adjustments to clothes, but you'll also be able to take any number of things and turn them into something useful. Just imagine turning tired old sheets into the perfect summer pajama set, or taking a thrifted blanket and making it your new winter coat. You can do that and soooo much more if you start making your own clothing. I know you've got a sewing machine somewhere that's been gathering dust and if the thought of learing how to use it seems like too much, just take baby steps. Watch videos on how to get your make/model of machine setup, then you can start by sewing pillows and work your way up from there. And even if you don’t have a sewing machine, you can always hand sew or use no-sew techniques.

kimono style coverup

I hope this list inspires you to embrace a more sustainable way to shop for new clothes. No matter your budget or style there's always a way for you to express yourself while being mindful of where your clothes are coming from. Even if you can't quit your fashion hauls just yet, you can start to incorporate these ideas little by little. Eventually you may find yourself shopping in an exclusively earth friendly way.

Happy Shopping!