Fast fashion harms the environment, but many assume sustainable options are too pricey. Here’s how to create an eco-friendly wardrobe without overspending.
Initially, Lacey Woodroof didn’t foresee her path from finance to fashion. “I began as a financial advisor and learned how companies operate,” she shares. This sparked her curiosity about how $12 t-shirts generate billions in revenue.
In her quest for knowledge, Woodroof explored “fast fashion” and its adverse effects on society and nature. “I realized there’s a crucial conversation to have, especially in the South,” she notes. This realization led her to leave her finance career and focus on educating others about mindful spending.
Now, Woodroof runs basic, a slow fashion boutique committed to ethical practices. With shops in Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, plus an online presence, her store collaborates exclusively with brands that prioritize sustainable and transparent production methods.
Most of us understand our fashion choices impact the planet, workers, and animals. But what exactly is “fast fashion”? It refers to inexpensive, trendy apparel produced quickly to satisfy consumer demand. Although these items are affordable, they often wear out after just a few uses. If you’ve been considering ditching disposable brands for a sustainable wardrobe, you might feel it’s financially unfeasible.
While slow fashion can range from $75 to $500 per item, it’s possible to curate a cruelty-free closet without financial strain. With proper care, these high-quality garments can endure for years or even decades. Here’s how to start building your sustainable wardrobe today.
Understanding Wardrobe Waste
Thinking that spending on fast fashion is harmless? Think again. While it allows you to wear the latest styles for less, the environmental cost is staggering.
The cycle of overproduction and consumption leads to significant waste, with 85% of textiles ending up in landfills annually, according to a report by Business Insider. Moreover, the fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, surpassing combined emissions from all international flights and maritime shipping. Additionally, it contributes to 20% of worldwide industrial water pollution.
Individuals like Bridgett Artise are striving to rectify these alarming figures. As co-founder of Sustainable Fashion Week, she has hosted events showcasing sustainable designers and vintage collections. Artise also created one of the inaugural sustainable wardrobe courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness.
“The more informed consumers are about the fashion industry’s damaging practices, the better choices they can make,” Artise explains. “If we didn’t have initiatives revealing mistreatment of garment workers and the environmental harm caused by our clothing, many of these issues would remain hidden.”
For Woodroof, the realization of the human cost associated with fast fashion motivated her to advocate for change. Many workers in this industry endure unfair wages, lack of health benefits, and poor working conditions.
“People are crammed together and can’t take breaks,” Woodroof reveals.
If you’re interested in understanding the far-reaching consequences of fast fashion, consider watching the documentary The True Cost. Director Andrew Morgan was inspired to create this film after the tragic 2013 collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, which claimed over 1,000 lives.
“This is a life-and-death issue,” Woodroof asserts.
Transforming Your Wardrobe Sustainably
Before refreshing your closet, it’s essential to adjust your mindset.
Embracing slow fashion means investing in high-quality, sustainable materials while ensuring ethical production practices. You’ll typically find slow fashion in smaller, independent boutiques rather than large chain stores.
Slow fashion items are pricier due to superior materials and fair wages for garment workers, along with efforts to minimize environmental impact. As the term suggests, slow fashion encourages you to resist the urge to chase every trend.
“We don’t need a new outfit for every social media post or wedding,” Woodroof remarks. “I used to fall into that trap,” she admits.
Woodroof notes that for some, fashion can become an obsession.
“People feel pressured to keep up with trends and possess what others have,” she explains. “Sustainability is easier when you wear what you love rather than what you think you should.”
You don’t need to discard everything in your closet to start fresh. That only adds to landfill waste. Take your time.
“There’s no deadline for becoming a sustainable shopper,” Woodroof emphasizes.
Artise advises intentional shopping. “When we cherish our purchases, we retain them longer,” she states. Investing in a timeless piece for your wardrobe is a smart decision.
As you build a sustainable wardrobe, be strategic about your acquisitions. If you typically buy eight clothing items annually, consider saving for two or three pieces from sustainable brands.
Artise encourages supporting independent and emerging sustainable brands. Recently, she hosted a Virtual Vintage Pop-Up to promote 16 new sustainable brands.
Explore sustainable brands that resonate with your style by visiting the Good On You website and downloading their app. This organization works to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable and ethical space.
“Once you’ve secured your essential pieces, enhance your style with thrifted accessories,” Artise suggests. “Thrifting is a budget-friendly way to refresh your wardrobe. Look for unique finds like vintage belts or hats instead of buying new.”
Woodroof also loves thrifting and suggests checking your family’s closets for vintage treasures. “Clothes from 30 or 50 years ago are often more durable,” she notes.
Artise, recognized as a vintage fashion authority by The New York Times, authored Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe.
“Upcycling is a fantastic way to creatively alter a garment,” Artise states. “With numerous resources available, learning to mend or upcycle is more accessible than ever.”
Ultimately, think carefully before shopping. The money saved by avoiding impulse buys can fund high-quality garments that will endure.
“I don’t accumulate excessive items,” Woodroof shares. Before she buys anything, she reflects, “Does this serve a purpose in my closet, and can I style it in various ways?”
In addition to the Sustainable Fashion Week website, Artise recommends resources to kickstart your slow fashion journey: Fashion Revolution, The New Fashion Initiative, Conscious Fashion Campaign, and Global Fashion Exchange. You can also find helpful information on basic’s website.
“Our greatest power lies in our spending choices,” Woodroof states.
“We can influence the lives of others simply by how we choose to spend our money.”
