Building a slow and sustainable wardrobe is all about curating quality outfits that express your personal style while also considering the environmental impact of each garment. Although I am an advocate for simplicity, I do not think that adopting a minimalist capsule wardrobe is necessary. Rather, I believe that a slow and sustainable wardrobe is full of carefully considered pieces that you love and make you feel comfortable.

I have always enjoyed expressing myself through my personal style, and in years passed, I’ve admittedly exhibited wasteful habits. My wardrobe used to be chaotic - overfilled with pieces that didn’t fit right or wore out quickly. In fact, I had segments of my wardrobe dedicated to singular aspects of my life, such as work, weekends, and nights out. I spent a significant amount of time selecting my outfits from an overwhelming number of choices as well as perpetually washing my laundry. I also felt the need to declutter my wardrobe every season so I could buy many new pieces of the latest trends.

Thinking back on that time, I cringe at how wasteful I was! In recent years, I’ve decided that I would rather invest my time and money elsewhere without sacrificing my personal style. I have retained a number of statement pieces from those days and will continue to wear them as long as I can. After all, the most sustainable garment is the one we already own. I have also elected to donate the garments that didn’t fit well. Now, the majority of my wardrobe is dedicated to small independent brands that champion quality-made, sustainable, and ethical practices. I no longer have a need to purge my wardrobe seasonally. Rather, I spend time mending my favorite pieces and only add a small number of garments each season if I truly need them.

Here are my top tips for how to slow down your wardrobe and make it sustainable.

Shop Ethically

Do a little research into the brands you are interested in to discover where they are made and by whom. Brands that pride themselves on their artisanal and ethical practices, like Mohinders, often share stories and information about the people who make the garments and how the company supports their worker’s livelihood. My hand-made leather slip ons from Mohinders are my favorite warm-weather sandals and I love that their worker’s stories are shared so transparently. Steer clear of huge corporations that exploit women, children, the workers (yes, this is truly happening! Ahem… H&M and GAP), the communities the garments are made in, and the environmental resources used in the garment making process.

I’ll be honest, the price point on ethically and sustainably produced fashion is oftentimes higher than what you might buy from major retailers. The reason for this is that sustainable and ethical brands, like Organic Basics, pay their workers a living wage in addition to utilizing resources that reduce their impact on the planet. Shopping from reputable brands that uphold my shared values is what prompted me to adopt the mindset of “shop less, buy better”, which leads me to my next tip.

Shop Less, Buy Better

Fast fashion produces mass quantities of low quality garments, at rapid rates, for fads intended to become obsolete within a few weeks. This time-warp-fashion-madness has rendered the industry one of the ugliest polluters and most exploitative forces in the world. This is why I’ve chosen to carefully select well-made pieces from reputable makers, like Everlane and Organic Basics, that are designed to last many years. Purchasing fewer items, less frequently, enables me to acquire high quality garments that fit my body and unique style well. Not to mention, my overall impact on the planet is decreased by consuming less.

It is important to remember how resource intensive creating garments can be. One must not only consider the factory workers, but the water, energy and dye used, in addition to the chemicals and fibers used to create a single thread. As much as the fun and cheap trends can be alluring, I much prefer the notion of wearing carefully considered pieces year after year.

Prioritize Style Over Fashion

One of the best ways to overcome the urge shop from fast fashion retailers is to prioritize personal style over current fashion fads. Trends are constantly changing and it is impossible to keep up. Slow down your wardrobe by carefully selecting pieces that are timeless, multifunctional, the right fit for your body type, and aesthetically evoke your unique vibe.

As a creative, this is where I have the most fun in curating my wardrobe! I see each day as an opportunity to express myself and set the tone for the day through the way I dress. I love pairing together garments that are simple and practical, yet evoke a sense of naturalness and ease. That is the energy I like to carry and surround myself with so that is the style I look for in quality-made garments. In order to add anything to my wardrobe, it has to pass my “personal style test”. Spend time considering what your personal style is, and how it might be different than what you see in current trends. Consider the colors, textures, and fit that make you feel the best.

Linenfox top, Blundstone Boots, Thrifted jeans.

Choose Sustainable Fibers

A sustainable garment is made of natural fibers rather than synthetic fibers. These days, it is common for clothing to be made with synthetic fibers. However, these fibers are made of chemically rendered plastic and require a lot of energy to process. These plastic threads break down easily during wash and wear which pollutes our waterways and food chain with micro-plastics. Although we cannot see this pollution, it has negatively impacted our health as well as the health of all animals on our planet.

When shopping, it is imperative to read the fiber content to ensure the garment is 100% natural. Look for clothing made of wool, linen, silk, cotton, bamboo, or hemp. If the item is made of leather, be careful to research how the leather hide was sourced. I would also caution against non-organic cotton. Although it is a natural fiber, it is the least sustainable of the bunch because it requires a significant amount of water and energy to process, in addition nto harmful herbicides during the plant growing process. When purchasing bright colors and patterns, research what dyes were used in the creation process. Opt for plant-based dyes over synthetic dyes, because non-natural dyes often pollute water and involve toxic chemical waste.

My wardrobe heavily consists of natural fibers, not only because they are sustainable, but because I love the textures. Many of my favorite linen pieces are from Linenfox, while much of my winter wardrobe contains merino wool sweaters and accessories. I especially love to pair linen with wool and silk depending on the season. The contrasting textures and breathability renders a look of natural ease as well as comfort. I also love that wool, linen, and silk are inherently insulating in winter and breathable in summer, which makes these the perfect pieces to repeat no matter the season.

Consider Whether You Really Need Something New

With fast fashion and over-shopping as the norm in our culture, it is so important to take a moment to consider if you really need something new. A slow and sustainable wardrobe is a carefully considered wardrobe, so pause before purchasing a new garment to discover if you actually need this new piece. Perhaps mending or up-cycling an old shirt will revive it, or thrifting a vintage garment will offer you the wardrobe refreshment you need.

Shop at Thrift Stores

Before turning to popular retailers to add new pieces to my wardrobe, I prefer scouring local thrift shops. This gives me a chance to find quality garments that are already in circulation, which saves energy and waste. I don’t always find what I need, but sometimes I do find amazing wardrobe essentials and unique accessories at charity shops.

Care For Pieces You Already Own

Mending worn garments is one of the best ways to preserve my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. It doesn’t require much time or skill yet it saves so much waste and money! My favorite Blundstone boots take me to the garden, around town, and on long foraging hikes so I take care to polish and treat them each season so they last forever. Likewise, my favorite socks and shirts sometimes need a hem or a toe-hole mended. A simple moment of care affords me time and money to invest elsewhere in my slow and sustainable life.

How to Curate a Slow & Sustainable Wardrobe