How to Be an Earth-Positive Fashionista
Tips from "Why Fashion Needs to Be More Sustainable" by Renée Cho
Columbia University Climate School’s State of the Planet is filled with data and information about the fashion industry, some of it quite depressing. Maybe you’ve heard the statistics about fashion’s contributions to climate change and environmental pollutants that cause asthma, cancer, and neurological diseases. We won’t repeat all that now. You can find it in Renée Cho’s article, “Why Fashion Needs to Be More Sustainable,” and in Aja Barber’s book, Consumed.
(As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I receive a small percentage of purchases made through the link above.)
If you’re interested in Trash to Fashion, you probably want to know what YOU can do to help make the environment safe again.
We love these Earth-Positive tips! So much so that—here and there—you’ll find little notes from me, Rebekah, the founder and director of Trash to Fashion. Enjoy!
Tips to Be a Fashionista While Helping to Make the Environment Safer
Buy only what you need
Buy from sustainable brands with transparent supply chains
Look for sustainable certification from the Fairtrade Foundation, Global Organic Textiles Standard, Soil Association, and Fair Wear Foundation
Check the Fashion Transparency Index to see how a company ranks in transparency.
Learn how to shop for quality and invest in higher-quality clothing
Choose natural fibers and single fiber garments
Wear clothing for longer (*note from Rebekah - Think years, not months. I have a barn jacket that’s still in great shape after 30 years!)
Take care of clothing: wash items less often, repair them so they last. Patagonia operates Worn Wear, a recycling and repair program. (*Rebekah again - I sent two delaminated raincoats back to Patagonia for recycling. They sent me a gift card that I used to buy some cute canvas overalls and an organic cotton t-shirt dress.)
Upcycle your unwanted clothes into something new (*Rebekah who can’t stop - stay tuned because Trash to Fashion is psyched to share tips and tricks on upcycling both in our newsletter and at our Trash to Fashion Workshop & Ball in October.)
Buy secondhand or vintage; sell your old clothes at Thred Up, Poshmark, or the Real Real.
When discarding, pass clothing on to someone who will wear it, or to a thrift shop.
Rent clothing from Rent the Runway, Armoire or Nuuly
“I think the best piece of clothing is the one that already exists. The best fabric is the fabric that already exists.”
~ Theanne Schiros, assistant professor, Fashion Institute of Technology
(*Rebekah again - Do you have a clothing swap planned? Want to expand your reach? Let us know about it, and we’ll share the info with our subscribers. Just reply to this email. Or DM us on Instagram.)