Dressing up in stylish clothes is a powerful form of self-expression that can give your confidence a big boost. Indeed, many men want to make sure that they look good when they’re out and about, rain or shine. With this in mind, hundreds of fashion brands are happy to offer an assortment of clothing products to meet consumer demand.
However, while it can be tempting to purchase the trendiest outfits of every season, it’s good to keep sustainability in mind when assessing your potential fashion buys. Due to the high demand for affordable and trendy clothing, the fashion industry has greatly increased its production rates. This, in turn, is contributing to more waste, water consumption, electricity usage, and natural resource depletion. Worst of all, these practices leave a bigger carbon footprint on our environment, which gives rise to negative effects like climate change and pollution.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t occasionally treat yourself to new fashion purchases. You don’t have to wear drabby or unsightly clothing to save the earth, either. Fortunately, there are ways of being more mindful about your purchasing choices and their environmental impact without necessarily depriving yourself of good-quality clothing. In fact, sustainability can help you expand your wardrobe choices and develop your sense of style with outfits that are comfortable and durable.
If you’re thinking of taking the next step in making fashion feel good and look good for you and the planet, read on. Below are some tips to help you make more sustainable purchasing decisions while keeping your style game on point.
Purchase from Brands That Promote Sustainable Fashion
Many brands are now aware of the fashion industry’s negative environmental impact. In response, these brands have started using more sustainable methods to manufacture their products. Certain brands have greatly reduced their water consumption, while others have opted to use recycled materials to create beautiful clothing.
It’s important to support brands that promote sustainable fashion. Doing so will result in higher demand for such products. This, in turn, will encourage more fashion companies to join in and adopt their own environmentally-friendly practices.
Besides the usual tops and bottoms, you can also purchase sustainable accessories to match your outfits. For example, many of Burlix’s men’s socks are comfortable, lightweight, and made of recycled yarn. Buying accessories like these not only take your outfit to the next level, but also send companies the message that eco-friendly products are a profitable venture.
Prioritize Durability and Classic Styles
Some brands sell clothing in large quantities with a quick turnover rate to keep up with each new trend. To make their products more affordable, these brands often resort to using cheaper materials that don’t last very long. The short lifespan of these clothing pieces increases the likelihood that consumers will end up throwing them out and replacing them with newer ones.
As such, it’s better to invest in carefully-crafted clothes that are made out of durable materials, even if these products may cost a little more. That said, it’s important to note that the price of an item doesn’t always guarantee its quality, so you’ll need to do your research before finalizing any purchase. The good news is that there are plenty of economical yet long-lasting clothing options out there to choose from.
Another way to support sustainable fashion is to prioritize buying timeless classics. While it’s fine to include some trendy outfit selections here and there, items like jean jackets, beige trousers, and polo shirts never go out of style. Investing in these pieces is the first step in building a dependable set of outfits that you can wear for years to come, even when other trends die down.
Go for Vintage or Second-hand Clothing
There are plenty of stylish outfits that deserve a second chance, which is why going to thrift stores can be an enriching shopping experience and a great way of reducing clothing waste. You’ll have plenty of unique items to choose from, and you might even snag some rare vintage finds or outfits from designer brands.
The best part is that since most pieces found in thrift stores are either second-hand or excess stock from established brands, these pre-loved items are usually sold at very affordable prices. Thanks to thrifting, you can spice up your wardrobe without making a huge dent in your wallet.
Make the Most Out of Your Current Wardrobe
Buying new clothes can be exhilarating, but it’s also good to take stock of the existing pieces in your wardrobe. Your chances of finding piles of perfectly usable and appealing outfits are pretty high, and it would be a shame to let them gather dust or immediately give them away without at least wearing them a few times.
Another benefit of trying out older wardrobe items is that you may just come up with new and appealing clothing combinations to wear on your next outing. Plus, it gives you a chance to sort out the clothes that you can do without, making it a great way of keeping your closet space neat and organized.
Donate Clothes That You No Longer Use
If you’ve found some clothes that you no longer need, do avoid tossing them into the garbage disposal, especially if they’re still usable. Instead, consider giving these items to charities, thrift stores, or even friends and family who’d like to add them to their wardrobe. In the same way that thrift stores give clothes a second chance, clothing that may not be appealing to you could be cherished by someone else.
As for damaged clothes, why not donate them to a recycling center or organization? With many companies looking for recyclable materials to produce their sustainable products, your old clothes can be turned into something new instead of ending up in a trash heap.
Embracing sustainability in your everyday life, especially when it comes to your fashion choices, doesn’t have to be a boring, difficult, or even costly process. You can choose to purchase stylish outfits from sustainable brands, reuse older clothes to create new outfit combinations, or add some spice to your wardrobe with one-of-a-kind, pre-loved clothing that isn’t sold anywhere else. After all, choosing the path that leads to a greener and cleaner life is not only good for the earth, but also for everyone who inhabits it.