How to get a more sustainable wardrobe

Everyone needs clothes. Period. Having said that, we don't need over-the-top filled wardrobes and crammed drawers - we can dress stylishly, comfortably, and sustainably without over-consuming. But how do you go about dressing more sustainably? We have put together a list of suggestions for things to think about, to create a more sustainable wardrobe.

6 tips for a more sustainable wardrobe

1. Review your clothing consumption. Try to see if you can find a pattern in your shopping habits. Maybe you shop a lot on sales, resulting in impulse buys that never get used. Maybe you buy clothes of poor quality, which end up with spots, tears, and washed-out colors. By becoming more aware of your clothing consumption, you can slowly but surely start making active choices to reduce your clothing waste.

2. Review your relationship with clothes. Go through the biggest reasons why you shop for clothes. Is it mainly because you need to because it's fun, or just because? Maybe you shop both more often and more than you need without thinking about it. It might be worth thinking about.

3. Beware of the sale trap. Of course, it's fun to find clothes at a reduced price, but the risk with big sales is that you shop because it's cheap - not because you need or think the clothes are nice. Therefore, think twice before shopping for clothes at a reduced price and ask yourself: Do I need this shirt? Do I have anything at home similar to this top? Do I use this?

4. Do your research about the clothing industry. By reading and becoming more aware of the clothing industry's impact on people and the environment, it may be easier to make more sustainable shopping decisions. Look for brands that sell sustainably and ethically produced clothing and accessories – and when it's time to shop new, shop from them!

5. Shop secondhand. By shopping secondhand, you take a big step towards a more sustainable wardrobe. In this way, you contribute to the reuse of clothes, instead of the new production of clothes. So, if you haven't already done so, start exploring the range of secondhand shops, for the opportunity to find garments that are nicer to your wallet and the environment.

6. Hand in old clothes. Eventually, all clothes reach the end of the road. They might get too big or too small, break or discolor, or you might simply not have a use for them anymore. The best thing you can do in this situation is to hand in your old clothes, either to a secondhand shop, a charity, or a recycling center. In this way, no textiles are thrown away unnecessarily and, in the best case, your garments find a new owner.

Read more: Sustainable wardrobe essentials