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How to be more sustainable with your clothes.
Julia in the Olympia Aryn Top
How to be more sustainable with your clothes at a consumer level
Up to 2/3 of clothes’ carbon footprint occurs when you take back your beloved garment home (source: Reformation). The good news is that you can easily fix it. Here below some easy ways to make a difference:
- Limit your use of synthetic fabrics and cold handwash them. Tiny bits of plastic called microfibers are shed, which is leading to plastic pollution of our waterways. Clothes will shed fewer microfibers if you gently hand wash them in cold. Also, you can also use a GuppyFriend bag to capture microfibers when you machine wash.
- Only wash as needed. Tip: bag your denim or jacket in the freezer for a day to save a wash.
- Green dry cleaning. The primary chemical solvent used in dry-cleaning, perchloroethylene (or perc), is a toxic chemical capable of causing liver damage and respiratory failure. So even if your cleaners advertise as “green” or “organic,” be sure to ask if they use perc, hydrocarbons, or D-5 cleaners, and be sure to avoid these toxic chemicals.
- Skip the dryer and wash cold. It will save energy and it helps your clothes to live longer.
- Buy less but better.
- Circularity: Reuse & Recycle. We actually have enough clothing and textiles in existence today to meet our annual demand globally. Therefore, circularity eliminates the concept of waste and reuses + recycles materials back into the fashion system.
- ThredUp will clean out your closet and donate or recycle your clothes. Learn more about Thredup.
- Resell: An occasion to make some extra cash. Resell your clothes at Poshmark, The RealReal, or any second-hand stores like Wasteland or Crossroads.
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Donate. There are donation centers pretty much everywhere. Try your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, American Red Cross or Dress For Success (a non-profit organization that provides interview suits and career development for low-income women).
- Buy second-hand or buy vintage.
Julia in the Jada dress
Sustainable fashion: Buy Less but Better
Selection of my favorite timeless Reformation items.
More fashion sustainable fashion labels: Read here.
14 comments
I’ll have to begin saving every penny to purchase my first Reformation piece. I wish they were a little more budget-friendly, but I realize that they’re sustainable and high-quality, so the prices make sense. Thanks for sharing this!
I SO agree with the buy less buy better school of thought. We generate SO much clothing waste that hurts 3rd world countries. I appreciate your taking the time to focus on this!!
Thanks so much Jennifer
I love learning more about this topic! Rewearing what I have is a big focus of mine and I browse thredup frequently!
I have been a fan of Reformation from day one! I wish I could afford to add more pieces to my collection! My wish list is a mile long. Love what they are doing for the sustainable movement!
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com/blog
I had no idea skipping the dryer could make your clothes last longer. I guess it makes sense since they’re not absorbing all that heat. I donate clothing regularly and try to wear my garments as many times as possible. I try to be as sustainable as possible!
If you have never tried skipping the dryer I highly recommend it. You will see a real difference.
Reformation is one of my favorite brands! I’ve even contemplated getting my wedding dress from there haha!
I love these sustainability tips!!! They feel so much more achievable to me than some of the other advice I’ve received on the topic
i’ve heard so many good things about Reformation and definitely need to save up to try out the brand!
kileen
cute & little
How how soft and breathable the clothing looks! I’m all for sustainable clothing!! great tips
I love reformation! While it’s a little more pricey, with the sustainability it’s worth it. I have been washing all of my clothes with cold water as well.
So many awesome tips! I love learning about new brands (to me.)
Très bon conseils, merci de votre partage