5 Tips For a More Socially Responsible Wardrobe

Introduction

I’m passionate about fashion and sustainability, so I love to see how brands are working toward a more responsible industry. But even as a huge advocate for socially conscious design, I can be guilty of not thinking about the impact my purchases have on our environment or communities. In fact, most people aren’t aware of how their daily choices affect the planet or global economy; we just want to look good and feel confident in what we wear. Luckily for us all: there are ways that you can make your wardrobe more socially responsible without sacrificing style or affordability. Here are five tips for making your closet—and world—a better place:

Look for local retailers first

If you’re looking for a socially responsible brand, look at the label. Instead of just buying from big-name manufacturers and brands, search for local retailers first. Find brands that are doing good for the community, environment, world and their employees—and don’t forget about animals!

Take care of the clothes you have

Take care of the clothes you have
Don’t buy more than you need
Be mindful of where your clothes are made and under what conditions they were produced
Shop conscientiously by supporting brands committed to social responsibility

Get educated about the brands you buy

In order to do this, you need to be educated. If you’re not already familiar with the brands you buy, take some time to learn about them. For example, if your favorite brand is H&M and you know that they are committed to sustainability in their manufacturing process and supply chain, then that’s great! But if it turns out that H&M uses synthetic fibers for their clothing—which can have serious environmental impacts—you might want to reconsider buying from them.

In addition to knowing how these companies treat their employees and where they source materials from (for example cotton may come from countries with poor labour conditions), it’s also important for consumers like us to understand how these clothes are made too. When we buy an item of clothing without thinking about its production process or what happens at every step along the way between factory floor and store shelf (i.e., transportation), we’re essentially voting for continued exploitation via our consumer habits alone regardless of what company makes our clothes.”

Shop sustainably made clothing brands.

If you want to buy more sustainably, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Here are some tips:

Look for labels that certify their product as environmentally friendly and sweatshop-free. The best labels will be transparent about where and how they source materials and produce their clothing; they’ll also offer information on fair wages paid and worker conditions. Some of the most reputable sustainability certifying bodies include Fair Trade USA, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Bluesign Technologies, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified™ (RAC)™and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Search online or consult a store employee if you aren’t sure whether a brand is sustainable. Most retailers now have sections devoted exclusively to their sustainable offerings; some even stock only eco-friendly goods!

Reduce, recycle and resale

Reduce. The simplest way to be more socially conscious with your wardrobe is to simply buy less stuff.

If you’re feeling inspired, there are plenty of other ways you can lower your clothing footprint without going completely bare (though if that’s your thing, we certainly don’t judge). For example:

Donate old clothes and shoes to charity, or sell them at a consignment shop.
Find a local buy and sell Facebook group where people can post items they’re looking to get rid of—and then purchase them! You’ll save money while also giving someone else the opportunity to wear something new.
If you have some old clothes that are still in good condition but wouldn’t be appealing enough for someone else’s taste (e.g., an old concert T-shirt), turn them into rags for cleaning or stuffing for crafts like pillows and bags instead of throwing them away!

There are many ways to make your wardrobe more socially responsible.

Look for local retailers first. It will help you support your community and reduce the carbon footprint of the products you buy.
Take care of the clothes you have by repairing them, recycling them or donating them when they become worn out or outdated. This reduces waste and encourages others to shop sustainably made clothing brands.
Get educated about the brands you buy so that you know if they pay fair wages, use environmentally friendly materials and practices, etc., before buying their products again in order to support businesses who do good things for people and our planet! (Check out Good On You)

Conclusion

We all want to do the right thing, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. By following these tips, you can make your wardrobe more socially responsible in an easy way!