Sustainability has been a topic of discussion for decades but being more conscious about it as an individual is getting more mainstream. It can be pretty difficult to contribute since there are so many ways to do things eco-friendly. It’s especially difficult when there are no direct rewards and it’s rather a moral decision.

Luckily there are ways that also benefit you directly which makes it easier to create those habits that stick. That’s why I created a list of tips that can help you to be more conscious about your clothing and also save money while doing so.

1. Visit your local tailor

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Do you ever have those moments when you see something on sale, you try it on in the store, doesn’t fit properly, but you are still buying it because somehow you believe you can make it work and the price is just too good to be true? No matter what the reason is, sometimes you have clothes that are too big or the fit is just not right.

Instead of letting it stay in your closet, give it a new life by visiting your local tailor. Make sure you measure yourself properly together with the tailor and discuss the price upfront to avoid surprises. This way you can finally wear it properly and you also support small businesses.

2. Refining your closet

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To get the most out of your wardrobe it’s smart to invest in clothes that are easy to combine. Everybody makes bad fashion decisions and sometimes it just takes a bit more time before you find your style. Although everybody should decide how they want to dress, Vox recently posted a nice article on finding your style.

I got inspired by the community of minimalists on YouTube. The definition of being a minimalist varies a bit but it’s focussing on the essential possessions in life, being more in the moment and taking away the clutter in your life (or your wardrobe in this case). Janell Kristina, for example, has some great tips on how to organize your wardrobe.

3. Invest in quality fabric

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This one is not for everybody since you need to be financially comfortable to afford yourself to do it and sometimes you are just not capable to do so because of financial limitations. I’ve made a small list of decisions you can make when buying new clothes:

Choose organic cotton over vintage cotton. It uses less water during production and there is less use of chemicals.

Look for brands that produce clothing locally. This way you reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from transporting it from country to country.

Expensive does not mean that the quality is better but try to avoid mass-produced clothing which usually lasts way shorter than quality fabrics.

4. Handle with care

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No matter what your financial investment is in your wardrobe, taking good care of your clothes is essential to get the most out of it. I’ve made many mistakes with washing, for example, thinking that the use of more washing detergent is better. Or that time when I thought finally to be able to rock a turtleneck sweater and I forgot to use the delicate program. My girlfriend is very happy with her new sweater… I’m still learning new things but these are the take-ways I learned over time.

Don’t use too much washing detergent and use cleaning vinegar to retain to original colors longer

Sort on colors — use for example multiple laundry baskets and create a system that makes sense for your wardrobe.

Use the right washing program and read the label carefully before washing

Turn your clothes inside out to maintain it’s color

Hang your clothes as quick as possible when the washing machine is done and try to avoid using a dryer since this can damage the fabric

If you do this, you will be able to use your clothes for longer and you won’t have to renew your closet that often.

5. Get yourself a fabric shaver

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This one kind of complements the topic above but I believe it is worth mentioning as a separate topic. In Holland, we call this a pluizentondeuse or fluff remover if you translate it literally. If you never used this before, you will have a blast using this little machine for the first time. It’s a small razor for your clothes to get rid of fluff on worn-out clothes.

No matter how well you take care of your clothing, some fabrics will eventually end up with a little fluff. Have a look inside your closet if you can find a sweater with this problem and try it out for yourself. Investing in this affordable machine will eventually save you money and it can bring back life into your favorite old pieces.

6. Thrift shops

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It kind of depends where you live but usually, when you live in a big city there will be multiple thrift shops where you can find all sorts of second-hand items. Finding clothes in your size and to your likings requires a little bit more effort than shopping for new items. But once you find something to your likings it can add a sense of feeling proud to it. I mean, how awesome is it that you are wearing something that otherwise maybe would have been thrown away?