You eat a vegan diet and walk to work and recycle everything that you possibly can. However, every once in a while you need to buy some new clothes. There are a few ways that you can create an eco-friendly wardrobe.
According to Printful, there are designers who cater to the environmentally aware. Used clothes are a good option if you do not have a lot of money but want to stay environmentally sound. There are also certain materials that are good for the environment.
Eco-Friendly Designers
Sustainable designers are those who create clothing that is both socially responsible and ecologically sustainable. Eco-friendly clothing is manufactured in such a way that it reduces the number of microfibers let into the atmosphere. Eco-friendly clothes are generally not made from animals, as animal skin or fur have to be treated, rendering it non-biodegradable.
There are some designers who are committed to creating environmentally-friendly fashions. Stella McCartney has always made cruelty-free clothing. This does not mean that she does not use anything from an animal. Although she relies largely on cotton, she also makes clothing from ethically sustained wool and recycled materials. She uses recycled cashmere, which takes quite a bit of labor but is better for the environment. However, Ms. McCartney’s clothes are for those with plenty of money to spend.
Eileen Fisher is well known for creating environmentally sound clothing. All of her garments are made with natural dyes and organic fiber. She recycles textiles and makes very high-quality fashions. Eileen Fisher’s fashions can be rather pricey as well. However, if you go to stores like Marshalls or Ross, you may be able to get the occasional bargain.
Organic Basics is a company that offers well-made clothes for a reasonable price. They use cotton quite a bit and Tencel which is a synthetic material specifically designed to be good for the environment. They use circular denim, which is denim that is constantly recycled.
Go to Thrift Stores
As talented as many eco-friendly designers are, they can be quite expensive. If you do not have a lot of money to spend, you can always go to a thrift store. Although the designers you find there may not be committed to the environment, nothing is better for the environment than simply wearing used clothes.
You can go to Goodwill or a privately owned consignment shop. You will be amazed at the variety of clothing you can find there. If you go to thrift stores in very wealthy neighborhoods, you will find many high-end designer fashions at a fraction of the price you would normally pay for them.
In addition to finding fashions at a thrift store, you will also find furniture and housewares. You can have very nice furnishings and decor for a fraction of the price if you look hard enough.
Wear Sustainable Fabrics
Wearing natural fibers such as cotton will help the environment because they are biodegradable. Recycled cotton is an even better choice. There are on-demand printers that will allow you to create custom-made t-shirts from recycled cotton. Hemp is considered one of the most versatile and sustainable fabrics since it can be used for clothing, food, and even makeup. However, it is primarily known for making very strong ropes.
It does not take a lot of water to produce hemp, and the plant even creates its own fertilizer. Plus, most hemp is grown without pesticides.
Linen is similar to hemp in that it does not take many resources to grow. It lasts a long time and is quite strong. It is made from the flax plant which is also used as a nutritional supplement. When it is not treated, it is fully biodegradable.
Linen wrinkles rather easily and can be difficult to wear. However, you will always look classy when you wear a linen suit, and it holds color very well.
If you put a little effort into it, your wardrobe choices can be just as environmentally friendly as your diet or home. You will find clothes in every style you can imagine that will make you look good and feel great.
