Building a Sustainable Closet | Spring Cleaning

Hello lovely readers! According to the calendar it is officially spring! With that comes the need to transition closets from winter to spring and take part in some spring cleaning. I like to consider myself an organized person and love to make sure everything is in its place when it comes to my combing through my wardrobe. I used to absolutely dread giving clothes away but within the last few years I have gotten much better at it. I have tried to make my wardrobe more sustainable as I have gotten older and that is what I want to talk to you about today!

As someone who studies fashion I have come to learn the impact that our purchasing and disposing of clothing can have on the environment. Unfortunately there are more negative facts than positive which is why it is important to take initiative in making an effort to build sustainable wardrobes! There are a few things you can do that may seem small but can add up to make a huge impact. 

The best place to start is looking at what you currently own. What pieces do you wear the most/least? Are these things that you would wear in a year or two? For me these questions are the best way to decide what to keep, donate, or recycle. 

While I love to get a few new trendy pieces each season, when shopping I try to keep the majority of my purchases to classic garments with a modern twist and not fill my closet with things I won't wear next year. This will make your wardrobe sustainable because it will last. 

In relation to lasting clothing it also helps to pay attention to the quality of what you are buying. The common misconception within fashion is that higher prices = higher quality...this is not always the case. Often times with pricing we are paying more for brand names because of the logos on a tag rather than the fibers in the fabric. This is great news for those of us who do not have a limitless budget and have to be mindful of what we are spending. Brands such as Pact offer sustainably manufactured basics that won't break the bank. Everlane is also a great company that is all about transparency. The Good Trade offers a list of "35 Fair Trade & Ethic Clothing Brands" that cover all style types and price ranges from Patagonia to Eileen Fisher.

Once you have decided on the pieces that you no longer want, the best thing you can do with these items is to upcycle, recycle, or donate. For those who may not know, upcycling basically means you are taking a piece and giving it new life. Maybe you can physically edit a top to look different than before or maybe you discover a new way to style it. You can also donate gently used items to various charity shops or organizations that will resell the items or give them to someone in need. Finally, if your clothing is beyond "gently used" you can recycle it just as you would paper or plastic. There are places who recycle textiles and offer drop off points such as H&M and Madewell.

I hope this post has been informative and inspiring to you for your spring wardrobe! How do you keep your wardrobe sustainable? Xx