Have you ever found yourself 2 days away from an event, staring at your closet and thinking you have nothing to wear? Chances are you will head to any store by the next day and buy whatever you need for the occasion, without a second thought to how the item was made, where, and by whom. All that matters is that it fits and the task is crossed off the list!

Believe me, this happens to the best of us, myself included, more often than I’d like to admit. However, living like this can be so stressful, and not to mention not sustainable – for you and the planet.

So how do you curate a wardrobe that allows you to dress for any occasion, from pieces that were hand-selected and carefully thought out to create a cohesive and authentic wardrobe that reflects who you are, without breaking the bank? It’s actually easier than you think.

Sure, there will be some planning involved, and it won’t happen overnight (in fact, this is not the most sustainable way, I’ll explain further), but it’s very much doable, on any budget.

How to Get Started

Start Reading Labels

An elegant wardrobe is also an ethical one in my book. That means no animal products or derivatives and fair trade practices.

This means no animal skins or fur (leather, wool, silk), and not produced through child-labor or unfair practices.

Look for labels that read fair-trade, ethically sourced, and artisan made to indicate fair practices for instance.

When it comes to fabrics, look for recycled fibers, organic cotton, hemp, linen, and natural dyes.

You might think this makes your selection limited but au contraire ma chère! We live at an exciting time where more and more sustainable products are created to provide high quality items that can many times surpass the quality and feel of some of the original products on the market.

And who wants to wear dead animal skin anyways?

Go from Trendy to Classic

It’s true that fashion tends to cycle over time, but sometimes this can take decades to happen.

If you purchase something trendy this season, chances are it will look passè next year, and even though it might still be in good shape, you might find yourself donating it for the simple reason that it’s last season’s look.

Choosing classic, tried and true pieces to your wardrobe will help you create a closet that reflects you, and will not go out of style.

Classic pieces can be defined as anything easy to mix and match, without labels or excessive details. Short and long-sleeve shirts, straight and skinny jeans and pants in neutral colors, jackets, a little black dress, for instance.

Change up your look by adding colorful and fun accessories such as scarves, necklaces and the like.  The possibilities are endless!

Shop Second-Hand

I have to admit, I don’t shop much second-hand, but there’s no denying this is a great way for fabulous finds on a budget.

Besides the affordability, second-hand shopping means you are repurposing an item that might otherwise have landed on a landfill.

There are many second-hand shops that specialize in high-end, quality pieces for great prices.

Choose a day when you can spend a lot of time at the shop, and just browse for quality pieces that you’ll be able to wear over and over.

Bonus: if you are savvy with alterations, or know a tailor, you can easily transform just about anything from a vintage store to fit you and your style perfectly.

Repurpose what you Already Have

When scanning your current wardrobe, you might find pieces that don’t quite fit you properly or have a particular feel and look that doesn’t get you excited to wear them.

For example, a dress that’s a little too long, pants that are a bit loose, or a detail on a shirt that you are not crazy about.

Sometimes it’s worth to alter them yourself, or take them to a tailor to get them fixed.

I once had a pair of sandals that I loved, but I felt they would be much more comfortable with ankle straps. I took them to a shoe cobbler who transformed the sandals into exactly what I needed. The alteration allowed me to wear the sandals comfortably for years to come. Definitely worth the investment.

I also found some amazing DIY videos on Pinterest where you can learn to sew all kinds of easy patterns to cover minor holes, or even designs that you are no longer excited about. All you need is a needle and thread. Definitely worth checking them out if you enjoy DIY projects!

When creating your sustainable wardrobe, I would advise to add pieces as you go, and keep the ones you currently wear and enjoy.

Yes, even if they are made of leather or wool, or perhaps not made ethically, it’s best for the environment that you continue to wear them so they don’t end up on a landfill.

Another option is giving them to a friend or someone in need who will use them, and if there are no takers, then donate them to a second-hand shop, since it’s hard to know what the shops will actually do with your items.

And don’t forget you can always sell items as well, either online or to a local consignment shop. This can help you use the money to purchase your new pieces!

Remember, this is a journey, and taking the first step towards a more sustainable lifestyle is an action that will pay off for years to come.

What is your favorite way to shop sustainably? Let me know in the comments!

Much love,

Angélica Renée