We could all benefit from making a few environmental changes here and there, including our fashion choices. Here, Steve Cochrane, Managing Director at designer clothing retailer Psyche, gives us his top tips for creating a more sustainable wardrobe.
As Britain becomes more environmentally conscious, consumers have started altering their buying behaviour and investing in more eco-friendly fashion. This year, Pinterest named sustainable fashion as one of the biggest trends of 2019, and clothing companies have followed the demand by encouraging consumers to move away from fast fashion and take a more environmental approach to their clothing. That's why more and more people are deciding to collect a few staple pieces to form a capsule wardrobe that can last for years.
What is fast fashion?
Fast fashion is a term used to describe clothing that's made quickly in order to cater to changing fashion trends. Demand for these pieces is usually high so, in order to manufacture a large volume in a short space of time, they are frequently made cheaply and poorly. This means that they can often become damaged after a few wears, or the trend changes and the pieces soon become unfashionable. So, they're then thrown away, resulting in them being sent to landfill or burned, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere.
But, how do you go about creating a more sustainable capsule wardrobe? I'll be talking you through the things you'll need to bear in mind when choosing your pieces.
Pick stylish staples
When creating your sustainable wardrobe, stay away from pieces that adhere to fleeting trends. Although they may look great now, in a few months' time something else might be fashionable and you'll stop wearing it. Instead, try to pick out a few stylish staples that you can wear with a number of outfits for years to come. Over time, you'll then be able to create a capsule wardrobe that includes basic pieces that you can mix and match to wear for any occasion.
For men, your staples should include:
· A crisp white shirt;
· A well-tailored suit;
· A pair of smart dress trousers;
· A white T-shirt;
· A simple jumper;
· Jeans in your preferred cut;
· Smart dress shoes like a pair of brogues or Oxford shoes;
· A pair of trainers.
For women, your capsule wardrobe should include:
· A little black dress;
· A white button-down shirt;
· Jeans in your preferred cut;
· A white T-shirt;
· A smart knee-length skirt;
· A pair of smart, black trousers;
· Smart, flat ballet pumps;
· Minimalistic heels;
· A pair of ankle or knee-length boots.
Choose eco-friendly materials
When you're on the hunt for a new outfit, you might not think about the materials your clothing is made from, but some are more sustainable than others. Nylon and polyester are man-made and non-biodegradable, so are often considered unsustainable. Instead, look for items made from natural materials like cotton, wool or, even bamboo — extra points if you can find organic versions.
Opt for environmentally-friendly brands
When deciding which brands to go for, you might want to look into their manufacturing processes. Some brands take a more ethical and eco-friendly approach to creating their clothing and, at Psyche, we try to stock names that are doing their bit for the environment.
For example, Hugo Boss has released a range of sportswear that's made from recycled coffee grounds, while Tommy Hilfiger often makes T-shirts from organic or recycled cotton. Popular jeans brand Levi's use their WaterLess manufacturing technique to reuse the water from their production methods, and Nudi Jeans use 100% organic cotton and have replaced their leather patches for paper alternatives. These are just some of the brands that have taken steps towards becoming more sustainable, so it's wise to research companies and their ethics before making a purchase.
Take care of your pieces
When it comes to making your garments last as long as possible, you should be thinking about how you store and care for them. For large pieces like suits, keeping them in a garment bag will help protect them from any dust and wear during storage. For other pieces, hanging them on padded clothes hangers will keep everything in great condition, without stretching out the shoulders. Boots and shoes can be kept as good as new using boot shapers or shoe trees.
Make sure you always wash your clothing according to the label's instructions, especially if a particular piece is dry-clean only. Washing at a lower temperature and hanging your clothes out on the line can not only help prevent damage to your garments, but it'll also mean you use less energy when washing your clothes.
It's clear that consumers are trying to alter their habits to be a little more environmentally-friendly. By following the tips in this guide to pick eco-friendly, staple pieces, you can create a more sustainable wardrobe and help save the planet, and if you’d like some support to get started to creating your sustainable wardrobe, why not book a Wardrobe Edit and Personal Shopping Session with me? It’s a great gift to yourself or someone you love before the Christmas rush!
