Sustainable September: How to make more conscious clothing choices

Posted on by Toni Carver

As September is the month of sustainability, this theme will run throughout the month helping to guide you on being more conscious with your clothing choices.

The subject of sustainability can feel like a lecture when often, you may not realise that alternative options are available.

Everyone has the capacity to make a change. Even a small one can have a positive effect. Because I understand what suits me (colour, style, shape, fabric to fit and flatter) and how to make things work, I can make informed decisions and be intentional with the choices I make.

What does sustainable even mean?

According to Google in the Oxford Dictionary; the word ‘sustainable’ is an adjective involving the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment.

Greenpeace state sustainability is a way of using resources that could continue forever. A sustain-able activity is able to be sustained without running out of resources or causing harm.

Clothing (over) production

Textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. Too much clothing is made and this overproduction has become the norm. Given how many people agree that they’ve got too many clothes, it seems unnecessary.

As a consumer, having more choice sounds good, doesn’t it? But, there’s now a constant stream of new collections and trends, leading to more clothes. Of course, this results in much lower costs for that t-shirt or dress, with price becoming the only differentiator. Yet, this overproduction must come at a cost.

Fast Fashion produces more carbon emissions per minute than driving a car around the world six times. This mass-production uses cheap fabric, not made to last, in poor working conditions and low wages for them to make a profit.

Research states that the average person now buys 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago. Yet, around 300,000 tonnes of textile waste ends up in household bins every year. Less than 1% of textiles and clothes are genuinely recycled into new textiles and clothes.

Yet, there are 100 billion pieces of new clothing produced every year. Having done the numbers; this means each person alive in the world buying one garment every month, every year. (There was 7.888 billion people in the world in 2021 according to google).

Fabric choices

Most people don’t consider what their clothes are made from. The only way to know, is to check the label.

Polyester, acrylic, nylon, polyurethane and viscose are likely to be hanging in your wardrobe because they account for almost 70% of all material used in clothing production today. What’s more; they’re cheap. But, as synthetic plastic materials, their production often uses highly toxic chemicals (including oil), and not all manufacturers ensure the waste chemicals and bi-products are safely captured and reprocessed. This puts workers health at risk and pollutes air and water systems adding further environmental damage.

Because polyester is basically plastic, it takes years to break down. When you washing these plastic-based synthetic garments, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles each year end up in the ocean. There’s often blended fabric too which makes them hard to separate and recycle.

Natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool don’t have the same environmental impact that synthetic fibres do. Whilst cotton grows naturally, it uses large amounts of pesticides and water which also have environmental impacts. But, there are modern, sustainable, organic and regenerative farming practices which limit the harm to the planet. This comes at a price.

What can you do?

This is all very sobering. But, you can make a conscious and informed decision about who and where you buy your clothes, and how many.

Check the label of your garments to find out where they are made, and what they are made from. If you’re not happy with the quality, ethics, or how it’s made, don’t buy it! As a consumer, it’s your choice and you should ask questions to the retailer if you feel they aren’t being transparent.

Be more mindful about the choices you make and consider each new purchase. Does it fill a gap you have in your wardrobe? Check if you have something similar hanging in your wardrobe before buying something new. If you’re not wearing something, do you know why?

Having understood the environmental impact, you may decide to only buy natural fibres. But, if you’re in need of some outdoor clothes, you’ll find them made of polyester to create warmth and durability.

That’s why I say be intentional with your purchases.

Beware of bargains! Clothes are cheaper than ever due to this overproduction. There’s a never-ending sale notification hitting your inbox daily, making them cheaper, fueling more guilty feelings if you’ve got a wardrobe full of clothes. Use my £s per wear motto and consider how many times you’re going to wear it. Getting something cheap for under a tenner may seem a bargain, but if you only wear it once, (or not at all) then it’s £10 per wear. Spend £50 on something which you wear 10 times, then it’s just £5 per wear.

The pre-loved and rental market is bigger than ever. In 2020, eBay reported the equivalent weight of 900 double decker buses had been saved from landfill. Buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes reduces the demand for new clothing production, and the impact to the planet. If you’re looking for better quality pieces or designers, but can’t afford the price tag, this could be a great solution for you.

Be more mindful

Slow fashion, fast fashion, sustainable or conscious are all decisions you make which have an impact.

If you buy well, you buy once! Good quality material and well-made clothes last longer than any fast fashion or cheap garment made poorly in low quality material. Even with a lower budget, you can still buy well. Spend as much as you can on key pieces to make your wardrobe functional and which you’ll wear for longer. Clothes in the right colour and style for you which fit and flatter your shape will always be the best choices because you’ll wear them more and get your money’s worth!

In my experience, if you know something doesn’t suit you, you won’t wear it!

Your options are to 1) cut your losses and add it to the charity shop bag. 2) sell it for a fraction of what you paid. 3) change it so that it does work for you. for example, switch up the buttons, change the length, add embellishments, or dye it. By extending the life of your clothes and wearing them for longer is thought to reduce the environmental impact by 20%.

Take care of your clothes, wash them less at a lower temperature, and they’ll last much longer.

September events and activities

There’s no time like the present to become more sustainable or conscious, with your clothing choices.

Oxfam’s Second Hand September will encourage you to take a stance against fast fashion by shopping pre-loved for 30 days: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/

Support your preferred charity or community and donate those unworn items this month! Next week, I’m attending an event alongside Tracy Fletcher, chair of the charity Smart Works Leeds. We’re both guest speakers at this event.

Save your clothing by repairing and re-wearing. Sustainable fashion week takes place between 20th and 29th of September. Their theme this year is the power of repair and they have a whole programme of activities around the country between 12 September and 12 October. Find full details here.

In the Yorkshire region, there are two hubs – one in Leeds (SCRAP – Sunny Bank Mills, Leeds LS28 5UJ) and the other in Huddersfield (Thread Republic – The Piazza Centre, Huddersfield HD1 2RS). Events take place between 21st and 28th September. I’ll be strutting down the runway at Thread Republic on Tuesday 24th September showcasing my upcycled garment made from a donated Ikea duvet cover (as you do).  Tickets are available here. The full list of the events in Huddersfield for Thread Republic can be found here and in Leeds for SCRAP, visit this.

I hope this encourages you to make a small change and join one of the many events taking place this month. Look out for next week’s blog for tips on re-wearing and styling your clothes.

In the meantime, here’s a note of the sources and references used to produce this blog:

Sources:

Oxford dictionary: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/sustainable#:~:text=sustainable-,adjective,does%20not%20harm%20the%20environment

Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/fast-fashion-climate-change-pollution-violence/

2019 Government Fashion report: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/1952/report-summary.html

Community Clothing: https://communityclothing.co.uk/pages/the-materials-we-use

Sustainable Fashion week: https://www.sustainablefashionweek.uk/sfw-2024

Oxfam: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/, https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/7-facts-about-sustainable-fashion/, https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/what-is-slow-fashion/

Fashion United: https://fashionunited.uk/news/background/how-not-sustainable-is-the-fashion-industry/2023121173061#

Ebay: https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/press-room/uk/second-hand-sales-skyrocket-in-2020-as-fashionistas-shift-to-thrift/

Will you shop second hand this September?

Posted on by Toni Carver

Buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes helps to reduce the demand for brand new clothes. In turn, this can help to reduce the damage to our planet all without making you look any less fabulous.

Repair, rewear, recycle

In 2019, Oxfam launched Second Hand September which continues to inspire thousands of people to take up the challenge and not buy anything new for 30 days. Visit their website here to learn more and sign up to the campaign. You can also follow and contribute to the campaign by using the hashtag on social media #secondhandseptember.

Buying pre-loved isn’t the only way to make better choices.

I’ve shared these previously (credit to The Great British Sewing Bee and the previous blog about sustainable wardrobes here.)

Given the over-production of ‘fast fashion’, it’s much harder to avoid over-consuming it.

The choices can feel endless and thanks to online shopping, they’re available 24/7. It’s hard to overcome the problem without making a conscious effort.

Choose well, buy less

Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity. Everybody’s buying far too many clothes: Vivienne Westwood

RIP Vivienne; you were right!

Choosing well and buying less clothes will make a difference to your wardrobe, your pocket and ultimately the planet.

Knowing and understanding what really suits you will help you make informed choices about what you wear. This will help you to shop for the gaps you have in your wardrobe. These can be carefully chosen items each season (using my advice from seasonal update workshop) as well as pre-loved/second hand shopping.

Last year I was asked to contribute to an article in the Yorkshire Post as they were writing about Second hand September. It is proudly displayed in the studio and you can have a peak here.

Many clients assume I shop a lot, but the reality is that I don’t. I do browse a lot which helps to inspire new outfits and ideas and I help lots of ladies with their own wardrobes and shopping to fill the gaps. I tend to shop for key pieces I’ve identified which fill a gap in my wardrobe. Regularly, I’ll clear out items I’m not wearing by selling some and donating others. There are lots of garments I’ve had in my wardrobe for many years which I still re-wear today. Some are pre-loved too.

I do hope I’ve encouraged you to take part in the Second hand September challenge and don’t let the fact that you’re part way through the month stop you!

Consider a wardrobe clear out (use my guides if you need help) and donate your unworn clothes to charity or try and sell them instead to make some money back.

Good luck!

How does getting my colours done help me build a sustainable wardrobe?

Posted on by Toni Carver

I’ve talked about the benefits of getting your colours done before. Clients tell me all the time how easy it is for them to shop when they know their colours and, how they save money because they no longer buy things that don’t suit them.

When I first had my colours done many years ago now, I found the same. Even now, I can still walk into a store, look at the racks and I don’t even walk over unless I spy colours that I know will suit me. Some of my clients have a picture on their phone for any impulse trips when they haven’t got their fabric swatches with them so they don’t make mistakes.

Consider Pre-Loved

Of course, this alone won’t build a sustainable wardrobe. It’s about the choices that you make. If you’re making fewer mistakes and buying less items as a result of knowing your colours, this will help you build a more sustainable wardrobe. New clothes don’t need to be brand new either. Pre-loved is huge now. Charity shops, Vinted and EBay have hoards of clothing and you’ll find lots being sold with the tags still on! Just search BNWT (brand new with tags) or BNWOT (brand new without tags). There’s also swap shops and clothing exchanges in most cities now if you prefer physical browsing and you can still take your swatches with you too!

Repair, rewear, recycle

Patrick Grant on The Great British Sewing Bee was instilling the virtues of repair, rewear and recycle recently. All things we frequently hear are essential elements to building a more sustainable wardrobe. Whilst I do have clients who do these things, not everyone can or will. On Instagram (8 June), they shared three statistics:

  • The average person buys 60% more clothes than they did 15 years ago (and wears them for half as long)
  • The equivalent of one bin lorry full of clothing is dumped in landfill or burned every single SECOND
  • The fashion industry produces and sells a staggering 100 billion garments every YEAR

I took to google to ask “how many people live in the world”? The answer was 7.888 billion (2021), which is 12-13 garments for every person. Essentially that’s one clothing item every month.

Building a more sustainable wardrobe is something which many people aspire to, but over-consuming ‘fast fashion’ is the challenge given the over-production. It can simply be too tempting! There’s a reason there’s so many ‘bargains’ in the sale rail! Remember it’s only ever a bargain if you actually wear it. Consider not just the cost of the item, but the cost per wear.

Introducing Sam

Sam booked my Complete Colour Analysis consultation because she wanted to be more sustainable with her future clothing choices. She wanted to make fewer mistakes and know that what she bought suited her.

Her wardrobe wasn’t particularly colourful because she didn’t feel she knew what colours worked for her. She wasn’t afraid of experimenting, but felt she needed more guidance and understanding so she didn’t keep making the same mistakes. Sam wanted a more coordinated wardrobe so she could make more outfits from fewer things.

After her session, she told me that she felt much more confident about future shopping purchases knowing that what she did buy would suit her and that she had her swatches to help guide her.

Colour analysis concerns

One concern with having a colour (or a style consultation) is that you’ll need to get rid of all your clothes and start again! This isn’t something which I recommend (nor is it sustainable and something I’ve covered previously). I guarantee you’ll have things hung up which don’t suit you, but then you probably knew that already.

During a colour consultation I talk you through how to wear your colours. It’s not just what colours to wear as there’s so many different shades and fabric choices. Understanding how to wear things you may already have which aren’t your best colours is important too. This could be dying them, keeping them away from your face or ensuring you wear something more complimentary close to your face such as a scarf or another top underneath. Knowing the ‘rules’ and how to apply them is all part of the journey!

Too many clothes

Most people admit they have far too many clothes in their wardrobe. They also tell me they only ever wear a fraction of the clothes in their wardrobe. When I ask what the reason is for not wearing these clothes, they often tell me that they don’t fit. Or that they don’t know how to wear them. Or they used to wear them, but now not so much. Which begs the question – why keep them?

Whatever the reasons for keeping hold of things we don’t wear, the feeling of overwhelm every day is hard to overcome. It’s often why people ask me about creating a capsule wardrobe. I get the attraction – imagine having a smaller collection of clothes, which can be worn in multiple ways to create more outfits. Yet, the fear of not having ‘enough’ clothes often stops them. But how do you measure too much? Everyone is different which is why I don’t believe in setting a number on how many clothes you must have. It’s pointless in my view! What you need depends upon how you spend your time, what your style preferences are and of course your budget. Know what suits you and you’re half way there to building that sustainable wardrobe. All you have to do is take the steps to create it.

Learn your colours by booking a colour analysis consultation.

If you’re ready to create your own capsule wardrobe but need some guidance, check out my Capsule Wardrobe Masterclass here.