What is the first step to a Sustainable Closet?
You may be surprised to know that the answer is neither buying from ethical designers nor buying second-hand. It is actually Wearing and Re-Wearing the clothes that you already have in your closet.
According to Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, an American woman adds an average of 64 pieces of new clothing to her wardrobe each year, although back in 1930 she only had 9 outfits altogether. On top of that, the avg. person only wears about 20% of the clothing in his or her closets.
Most clothing goes unworn because it's the result of an impulse buy or it doesn't fit correctly. You know, that piece of clothing you truly liked but that you will wear once you lose the weight or when that ideal day comes.
“Fashion” – is those clothes you wear every single day, and it has a huge impact on human, social, and environmental capital. Assessing what you currently own and re-wearing it should be the first step towards a more conscious wardrobe.
What you don’t use, should be disposed correctly -either donate it, swap it with a friend, or give it a new home. If the clothes are no longer wearable, make sure it goes into a clothing recycling bin.
If you must buy something new, think: Will I wear it a minimum of 30 times?
The idea is to get you thinking of your clothes as an investment rather than something disposable. And that is the behind SLOW FASHION rather than FAST FASHION.