While shopping sustainably may take a little more time, it makes a great impact! There are four main factors to consider when shopping sustainably: the timeliness of the pieces, the fabric of the clothing, where you are looking to shop, and how you are carrying out the products you consume.
- Timeliness
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Oftentimes people buy pieces that are “in season” but these pieces of clothing are going to go out of style and will ultimately end up in the back of your closet (taking up space) or in a landfill. This is why it’s important to buy timeless pieces that can be used over and over again. Some pieces that I have in my closet and would consider timeless include a trench coat, white sneakers, and a comfortable pair of “straight-legged” jeans.
- Fabric
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The fabric the clothing is made from is of great importance. One should avoid polyester, nylon, and rayon as they have a greater carbon footprint. Cotton, silk, wool, jute, and linen are in the clear. These fabrics have less of a carbon footprint and are mostly biodegradable.
- Location
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When looking for a place to shop sustainably there are many places to consider. One can shop second hand or they can look toward a business that creates sustainable, quality, and timeless pieces. Second-hand businesses are great for finding vintage pieces that can usually be used in a variety of ways, but buying from a newer store is also great too. Oftentimes a more popular sustainable business is more expensive but this is because they want you to consume less and wear more. Some examples of these types of businesses include Reformation, Patagonia, Rothys, Softwear, and many small businesses that can be local or found on Etsy for example.
- Carry-Out
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When shopping for clothing, groceries, or anything in between, one usually uses a plastic bag to carry out their items. This contributes to pollution and a greater carbon footprint. It is very easy to bring in your own tote bag to carry out items. This means fewer bags and you are helping the environment. A few of my personal favorites include the produce and tote bags by Big Bite Eco as well as vegan bags by Matt and Nat.