Give Your Closet a Sustainability Makeover
Taking care of the environment is important for all living things, now and into the future. Around the world, consumers say they’ve become more eco-friendly, and many are changing how they interact with our natural world in every aspect of life. The way we dress is no different!
The constant cycle of fast fashion has created an economic crisis in our closets, but a few small changes can make your wardrobe drastically more Earth-friendly. Here’s how:
Buy Quality
Instead of giving in to the pull of fast-fashion trends, choose items that are well-made with high-quality materials. Choosing wardrobe pieces that will last eliminates the need to buy more clothing in the long run, helping you save money over time. This choice also cuts down on manufacturing waste and the need to throw out pieces that either fall apart in a matter of months or go out of style.
Best of all, you can find high-quality pieces at your local Goodwill store! Check tags for long-lasting materials such as cotton, silk, wool, and linen.
Repair or Repurpose When Possible
If you don’t already know how to mend clothing, now’s a great time to learn! There’s a big payoff both financially and environmentally for those who learn to repair the clothing they already have. This means there’s no need to throw something out just because the hem comes loose or a button falls off. A little needle and thread can go a long way in caring for our planet.
Consider putting your sewing skills to work when thrift shopping, too! For example, you could add new buttons to breathe new life into a vintage coat or sew on patches to a denim jacket to give it more personality.
Shop Secondhand
The best way to defeat fast fashion is to avoid it altogether. So, the next time you pop open a retail app or think about stopping at a department store, choose to shop at an Ohio Valley Goodwill thrift store instead!
Buying gently-used items extends the life of quality clothing, making your wardrobe more wallet and eco-friendly. If you get the itch to browse online, head to ShopGoodwill.com, our online auction site, to score great deals on unique clothing, accessories, shoes, and more!
Choose Multi-Purpose Pieces
Making your clothing last while also efficiently serving your wardrobe comes down to picking pieces that can fill more than one style need. The classic capsule wardrobe approach is built on this philosophy. Before you buy something new, ask yourself if it will fill more than one need in your closet. For example, a classic white button-down shirt can be worn on its own or under a jacket. It can also be dressed up or down.
Overall, quality, classic styles in a neutral color palette will help your wardrobe go further without the need for a bunch of ” filler” clothing items taking up space in your closet.
Say “˜Farewell’ to Fast Fashion and “˜Hello’ to Sustainable Style!
Ohio Valley Goodwill thrift stores are the perfect place to start your journey toward more sustainable style. Visit any one of our many Cincinnati-area stores, and check back often because new things arrive every day!
And don’t forget, your choice to shop Goodwill is not only eco-friendly; it also fuels our mission to provide job-skills training and other services that lead to life-changing employment for individuals with disabilities and veterans. Your support makes a difference!
