Earth Friendly Fashion
Here’s my 5 top tips for more Eco-Friendly Fashion this Earth Day:
1. Quality Over Quantity
Buy less, shop better:
Invest in durable, well-made pieces that will last longer, reducing the need to buy more.
Choose sustainable materials:
Be mindful of what the clothing you are purchasing is made from and where the materials have been sourced - choose organic cotton, linen, hemp, recycled fabrics, or fabrics made from sustainable sources.
Consider the 30-wears test:
Gone are the days of needing a new outfit for each occasion - we should be celebrating the beautiful clothes we buy, and wearing them as much as possible! Fast fashion has turned clothes from durable to disposable, and we MUST change that!! When you buy a new piece of clothing, ask yourself “will I wear this 30 times?” - if the answer is no, don’t buy it! And save your money to buy something that you will love and treasure.
Everything sold at Butterflies in Ballgowns is made from sustainable fabric and yarn - so you can shop with peace of mind knowing that the planet is always the priority
Photo credit: Jovita Photography
2. Embrace Secondhand and Vintage:
Thrift and swap:
Embrace secondhand shops and apps like Vinted and Poshmark to find unique, affordable and eco-friendly pieces. Or why not host a clothing swap? My friends and I do it regularly, and it’s an amazing way to get more clothes, for free!
Repurpose and upcycle:
Turn old clothes, curtains, bed sheets and much more into new clothing by mending, altering, or embellishing them - don’t feel confident doing this? There are soo many incredible small fashion brands that make beautiful things out of upcycled fabric - and then not only are you shopping eco-consciously, you’re supporting a small business too!
My favourites are: Luna & Venus and Yesterday Clothing Co
3. Extend the Lifespan of Your Clothes:
Repair and mend: Fix small tears and holes, replace buttons, add patches or adjust clothing to give it a new lease of life!
4. Choose Sustainable Brands:
Research and be informed: Take time the to find out the production processes and environmental impact of brands before choosing to purchase from them.
Support ethical businesses: Choose to purchase from brands that are transparent about their environmental impact, use fair labour practices, and prioritise sustainability.
Shop Local: Supporting local, sustainable businesses, in my opinion, is the best way to shop! That way your money is going directly to supporting a person and their passion and livelihoo - rather than contributing to a big corporation.
Photo credit: Lynn Trinh
5. Care for Your Clothes Sustainably:
Wash less and use eco-friendly detergents: Your clothes don’t need washing anywhere near as much as you think - and every time you wash them, it degrades the fabric, making the fibres weaker and more susceptible to damage. Minimise the amount of washing and opt for detergents without packaging and harmful chemicals.
Skip dry cleaning when possible: Many dry cleaning processes use harsh chemicals that harm the environment.
Use a washing bag: A washing bag helps to protect delicate clothing during the washing process and reduces the amount of microplastics released into the water.