Written by Emily Hewitt in Tips & Advice on the 5th December 2018

Achieving sustainability as a modern consumer can sometimes feel confusing and challenging, especially if fashion and style are a high priority. However, with a little thought and creativity, sustainability and style can go hand-in-hand. The bottom line is, it is important for us to remain mindful of the environmental and human impact of our fashion choices (a shocking 300,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to landfill every year in the UK), and reconsider what we buy, where we buy it, and how we care for it. With these three simple tips, you can start making more sustainable fashion choices today, without compromising your style. Next time you rummage through your wardrobe unable to find anything to wear or go shopping for the latest style piece, consider the following easy tips to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

1) Buy second hand 

Whilst this may seem counterproductive if you’re shopping for the latest fashion trends, you’ll be surprised at how quickly styles resurface, and the possibilities are endless when buying second hand. You may stumble upon something unusual or quirky in a charity shop or on an online marketplace, or you might find a garment you love but are put off because it needs a little adjustment or looks tired. This is where a seamstress via Clothes Doctor can help. Consider having the clothes tweaked and refreshed, to make them good as new and totally original. The clothing found in vintage shops can often be better quality than any cheap clothing found in shops today, so you’ll save money on repairs in the future.

2) Choose wool over artificial  

There are many surprising benefits of choosing wool over man-made or artificial fabrics. Wool is a natural fibre that grows on sheep, and as a result of this, is both renewable and biodegradable. The wool industry also has a much lower impact on the planet, using fewer chemicals, water, and dye than other industries such as cotton. The benefits of wool also extend far beyond environmental factors; garments made from wool are not just breathable, but are naturally elastic, due to their fibre composition. This makes them comfortable to wear, but also means that they require less maintenance in the form of cleaning, as they are moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial too – wool is a win-win fabric.

3) Refresh your wardrobe for the season 

With each new season it may seem tempting to overhaul your wardrobe; but there’s no need to buy new garments when you can simply rework or restyle them. Consistently updating your wardrobe is not only expensive but has negative environmental impacts, as clothes deemed no longer ‘stylish’ will most likely end up in landfill. Instead consider refreshing your wardrobe with some simple alterations; for example, an outdated suit can be personalised and modernised by simply replacing the buttons, collar turning, or eco-cleaning, which can all make the garment feel new and contemporary. Also, brands such as Patagonia and Private White V.C. offer a lifetime repair service. In addition to this, small alterations such as bringing in the waist of the jacket or tapering the trousers can work wonders on a suit.

We provide tips such as buying second hand and choosing wool over artificial fabrics in this guide to easy ways to become a more sustainable fashion consumer.