This is Fashion Social

Take advantage of the fresh new year to go green with your fashion consumption.

The new year is just around the corner and there will be many resolution lists written across the globe that will inevitably be tossed aside to landfill the minute February rolls around. You may have good intentions scribbling “get fit” as the number-one priority on your list, but what good is that if the planet is on its last legs? According to Fashion Revolution, the fashion industry alone emits 2-8% of the world’s greenhouse gases. So, for your new year’s resolutions in 2024, here are five ways to become a more sustainable fashion consumer.

Less is More

It may seem obvious, but by purchasing less brand-new clothing you can make an enormous difference to the planet. With fashion trends moving so quickly and the addition of micro-trends, it is up to you to decide whether you genuinely like the clothes or if you’re just wanting to jump onto the trend bandwagon. An effective way of doing this is to ask yourself a few questions before buying: 

Will I wear this in a year’s time?

Do I like the colour/print/style of the clothing? 

Do I need this new piece of clothing?

If you answered yes, then you don’t have to miss out, but it might be worth searching for second-hand alternatives if possible.

Cold Washes are The New Hot

Aftercare of clothing post-purchase is something that is often overlooked but is an easy change to make. Washing your clothing on a colder wash can use a considerably lower amount of energy, which is better for the planet. Many washing detergent brands have already made their formulas more suitable for colder washes, meaning you won’t notice a difference. Another simple way to make a difference is to read the care label on your clothing to ensure that it will last to its full potential.

Learn to Love Pre-loved

There are many treasures hidden in charity shops and on re-selling platforms like Vinted and Depop. You can make a day out of it by doing a charity shop crawl of all the charity shops in your local area. The best part is that it’s affordable and your money is supporting a good cause, not only that, but you’re also helping the planet! If you want something a bit fancier, you could explore vintage shops that would have more original pieces.

One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure

It’s always fun to do a wardrobe clear out for the new year, but instead of throwing your old clothes away donate them instead. Even clothing that is no longer wearable can be donated for scraps which can usually be found in your local shopping centre’s car park. If the clothes can still be worn, you can sell them on Vinted or Depop to get a bit of money and brighten someone else’s day. There’s also the choice to donate to a charity shop as well to support not-for-profit organisations.

Make Informed Decisions

Don’t go in blind when shopping for your next item of clothing. There are many ways to educate yourself about the brands that you shop from. Good On You is a free website that rates fashion brands on how employees, animals and the planet are treated. So, if you do want to treat yourself to something new for the new year, you can do so knowing that you’re informed about the environmental and social impacts. The Fashion Transparency Index by Fashion Revolution is another easy-to-digest resource that can educate you on how transparent your favourite brands are. 

Start writing your 2024 resolutions list now and make 2024 the best year yet for yourself and the planet by sticking to these sustainable fashion resolutions!