We all love refreshing our wardrobes with new styles – who doesn’t enjoy a good shopping spree?

But fast fashion comes at a heavy cost, harming the environment and exploiting workers. Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to upgrade your closet.

What is Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion retailers like H&M, Zara, and FashionNova churn out cheap, trendy clothes at lightning speed. But this throwaway culture of overconsumption has nasty consequences.

The fast fashion supply chain guzzles precious resources.

Calculating water use in fashion reveals some staggering facts. It takes over 650 gallons of water to produce one cotton t-shirt. And washing those synthetic fabrics releases 500,000 tons of microplastics into the ocean annually. 

Why Should You Avoid It?

Behind the scenes, garment workers making as little as $3 per day often labor in dangerous conditions. Child labor and forced overtime are common issues.

When people thoughtlessly discard last season’s styles, more than 85% of fast fashion waste gets incinerated or dumped in landfills. That’s equivalent to one garbage truck of textiles every single second.

By shifting your mindset from quantity to quality, you can curb the cycle of exploitation while refreshing your look. Follow these tips from TheRootAmbassador.com for avoiding fast fashion and building an ethical wardrobe instead.

Shop Secondhand and Vintage

Secondhand and vintage shops offer rare gems you won’t find anywhere else while saving unwanted clothes from landfills.

Rummaging through thrift stores and consignment boutiques is vastly more ethical and eco-friendly than buying new. You’ll uncover one-of-a-kind pieces that no fast fashion retailer could ever mass produce. From vintage tees and mom jeans to designer handbags and fur coats, previously-loved garments get a new lease on life.

Added bonus – you’ll save money on your clothes compared to retail prices. Just be sure to wash used clothes before wearing them.

Pro tip: Search for local second hand stores on Google Maps to find shops near you. Brick-and-mortar thrifting is extra satisfying. Online resale platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Vestiaire Collective also offer millions of pre-owned items at huge discounts.

For a fun social activity, organize a clothing swap with friends. Each person brings quality used clothing they don’t wear anymore to trade and mingle over snacks and music. What doesn’t get swapped can be donated.

Build Your Wardrobe With Timeless Silhouettes

A minimalist wardrobe of versatile essentials never goes out of style. Invest in well-made basics in neutral solids and earth tones. They pair perfectly with bold statement accessories that can be switched up each season.

Opt for natural fabrics like linen, silk, organic cotton, and wool over cheap synthetics. Not only will they last longer, but natural fibers feel amazingly soft and comfortable against your skin.

Look for quality construction and durable fabrics designed to stand the test of time.

Focus on finding staple pieces in classic, simple silhouettes rather than wacky fast fashion concoctions likely to soon languish at the back of your closet. A crisp white button down, appropriately fitting jeans, chic trench coat – build your wardrobe around versatile classics to create outfits that look elegant and classy every day.

Having a wardrobe of ethically made basics you love prevents impulse purchases and duplicate items. Apply the “30 wears” rule before buying new clothing, making sure it’s something you’ll wear at least 30 times. This helps you avoid waste and clutter.

Breathe New Life into Old Garments

Mending your own clothes saves money while keeping them in use longer.

Before you toss old, damaged, or ill-fitting clothes, consider alterations and repairs. Knowing basic mending skills helps reduce waste – and saves money on tailor fees.

Check out online tutorials on how to sew buttons, patch holes, adjust hems, replace zippers, dye fabrics, and more DIY alteration techniques. Old jeans can become cut-off shorts. Tattered t-shirts transform into casual crop tops. The dye faded black clothing back to saturated ebony.

For stuff that’s too tattered or stained to salvage, get creative repurposing it into rags, pillow stuffing, dog toys, face masks, headbands, hair scrunchies, and more. Don’t let anything go to waste.

Upcycling breathes new life into weird thrift shop finds or outdated clothes in your closet. With some criss-cross stitching, ruffles, embroidery, appliques, painted designs, or other embellishments – you invent an entirely new piece.

Support Ethical Brands Using Eco-Friendly Materials

While secondhand is ideal, buying new from ethical brands is better than contributing to fast fashion’s wastefulness.

Look for Natural and Organic Fabrics: Linen, silk, organic cotton, hemp, wool, cashmere – they’re softer, more breathable, and biodegrade easier than synthetics. Brands like Patagonia and Alternative Apparel use eco-friendly materials.

Local and Small Businesses: Shorter supply chains and care for the community make them more sustainable. Check Etsy and local boutiques.

Certifications: Fair Trade, B-Corp, OEKO-TEX, and other labels indicate responsible practices. But not all ethical brands have certs.

Transparency: Does the company share details about its manufacturing and suppliers? Beware of vague claims like “eco-conscious” without evidence. Ask brands you like for more info and let them know you value sustainability.

Ethical Labor Practices: Living wages, reasonable hours, workplace safety. Look at brand rating sites like Good on You which assess various ethical criteria.

While pricier than fast fashion, you’re directly supporting better treatment of the planet and people. For example, compared to exploited sweatshop workers earning as little as 3 US cents per hour, American Apparel pays about $12-18/hour for manufacturing in ethical LA factories. And those higher-quality ethical goods will last exponentially longer in your closet.

Change Shopping Habits and Wardrobe Care

More mindful purchasing and care extends the lifespan of your clothes to prevent waste:

Avoid Impulse Buys: Sleep on it for a few days before purchasing. Stop browsing fast fashion sites and unfollowing influencers peddling constant hauls.

Shop Second Hand First: Ask yourself – could you find this secondhand? Check resale sites before buying new.

Wash Sparingly: Wash only when truly dirty. For freshening up, spot clean, steam, or air out instead.

Air Dry: Use a drying rack or clothesline to prevent shrinkage and wear. Low heat or no heat cycles in the dryer are okay too.

Store Properly: Fold knits neatly in drawers. Allow fabrics to breathe by not overstuffing closets. Use cedar blocks and lavender sachets to keep moths away.

Donate Unwanted Items: If you haven’t worn something in, over a year consider donating it to a thrift shop or charity organization.

Organize Your Closet: Take some time to organize your closet and switch out your wardrobe seasonally. It’s like giving yourself options while also decluttering.

By following eco principles you can create a wardrobe that aligns with your values. Knowing that your style choices contribute to reducing fashion waste will make you feel good.

Here are the key points to remember;

•  Look for reused items at secondhand, vintage and thrift shops.
•  Invest in high-quality essentials and timeless pieces.
•  Learn how to mend, alter, repurpose and upcycle existing garments.
•  Support brands that prioritize ethics and sustainability.
•  Make improvements in your shopping habits. How you care for your wardrobe.

By embracing these principles you can help bring about change in the fashion industry. You will have joy as you embark on your journey, toward an eco wardrobe.