As we near the end of 2022, we all are starting to consider our new year’s resolutions. Hopefully, if you are reading this you are someone who is trying to become sustainable in the new coming year. If you are one of the smarter people in life, you will be planning and implementing the first steps toward your resolutions before the year’s end. If you have the time before the chaotic holiday period, it would be a great idea to clear out the old items in your closet, but why not kill two birds with one stone and do it sustainably?

As we all should know by now, the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, with 10% of the whole world’s emissions coming from fashion production. Fast fashion is one of the biggest culprits whilst still exploiting the earth’s resources, manufacturing large quantities of fashion pieces quickly and cheaply. We can all admit that at some point we have invested in a fast fashion product. It is nothing to be ashamed of as often the most eco-impacting products we can buy are normally the cheapest. If you wish to become more sustainable, you should begin by considering what products you are buying and where they came from. If you want to start by making the smallest of eco-friendly choices, your current closet is a great place to start. Here are the basics you can start with for a cleaner closet and conscience:

Lay It All Out In Front Of You

To get things started and to get the whole job done in one session, we would recommend taking out all the contents of your wardrobe. Yes, all of the clothes from years and years ago that have been lingering in your wardrobe with no use or love. Usually, it is not a practical idea to just create an even bigger mess in your room, but these are the necessary steps if you want a realistic view of what you are working with. We all have looked at our closest and thought “I have nothing to wear”. You can gather so much inspiration from simply refreshing your mind as to what you have hidden in the back of your closet. Start flying through the different genres of clothes, and being realistic as to what you wear or do not wear.

Consider What You Already Have

Often people only consider cleaning out their wardrobes when they believe that their current items are outdated and unworn. If you wish to consider sustainability, you should always keep the mindset of what you already have is the most sustainable option. What this essentially means is if you already have clothing items that are in good shape and wearable, you should try and make them work. If you have pulled out your wardrobe as suggested, we can guarantee you will find some hidden gems that you have not remembered for a while. Make as much use of what you already have, but in regards to what perhaps does not fit or has sustained damage, there are sustainable options for them too. 

Sell Online 

Despite initial thought, selling your clothes online is one of the most sustainable ways to break the fast fashion trends. There is now an abundance of marketplaces that allow and regulate the buying and selling of second-hand clothing. Why not generate a bit of return of money spent on the clothes by selling them to someone else who can love them pre-loved? Marketplaces like vinted, eBay, and also Depop are some of the top-rated second-hand buying and selling sites. You can guarantee the person buying your clothes can give them another life.

The most creative and resourceful of people will buy stained or damaged high-quality clothing and mend them for reselling, so do not throw away any good quality clothing items that are damaged to be dumped on a landfill site. Sell them to someone who will give them the necessary care and attention.

Donate To Charity Shops 

Passing your unwanted clothes onto charity shops is also another avenue you might follow. Donating your clothes to organisations that are run by charities means the profits are going to a better cause. One thing to keep in mind is that surprisingly the majority of garments not sold in charity shops are exported to be resold in foreign countries, and end up in rubbish dumps abroad. Go to a local charity shop if possible and ensure they are providing the clothing and profits to good causes.

Buy Second Hand If Needed 

The clearing out of your wardrobe might have led to a lack of clothing in comparison to a revelation as to how many clothes you have. If you are someone who has no good quality clothing items and needs more suitable items to get you through the winter, you should consider purchasing second-hand clothing. As valuable as swelling your clothes for the second hand is, buying preloved is extremely valuable and there are hundreds of hidden gems to find. 

Try Organic Fabrics

If you want to become sustainable you might also consider buying only organic fabric garments such as womens organic t-shirts. Many beautiful clothes are now produced with 100% organic fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk, and even bamboo. The options are endless but not as easy to find as most fashion items. Do your research and slowly start adding eco-friendly pieces to your wardrobe space. You will see and feel the difference as you embark on your sustainability journey!