4 tips on creating a more sustainable wardrobe (without limiting your choices).

There's nothing like the thrill of adding something new to your wardrobe. It just feels good. But according to studies, we actually only wear approximately 20 per cent of our wardrobe. Meaning most of it sits there untouched, until the next Marie Kondo special comes out on Netflix, and we decide to donate it, pass it on, or simply chuck it out. 

As we know, this cycle isn’t exactly sustainable. Charity shops are buckling under the weight of donations, and throwing away ready-to-retire apparel is a one-way ticket to landfill.

But here's the good news: there are plenty of ways to add special pieces to your wardrobe, while also making sure your old garments aren’t wasted. And after a lot of trial and error, I feel like I've mastered this balance. 

From donating to different recycling initiatives like Boody and Upparel's The Goodness Loop to clothes swaps with friends, here are my 4 tips for creating a more sustainable wardrobe.

Get stuck into your local charity shop.

For some, thrifting clothes is like breathing. For others, it’s a daunting process that can overwhelm them with choice. I feel you. But heading into a charity shop with a bit of a plan can mean you can find that special piece that you wouldn't have been able to find elsewhere.

Sounds great in theory, right? But where exactly do you begin?

Firstly, think about what your wardrobe needs. 

Things like flowy tops, coats and shoes can be easier to find in the right size as opposed to something more rigid, like jeans. 

Image: Supplied.

Once you find that section, labels are your friend. Check labels as you search to keep an eye out for quality brands, perhaps even places you’ve shopped before and know their sizing. 

At the same time, check the material. Sometimes feeling something will give you an indication of their quality (and therefore staying power), and labels will clear up whether something is polyester or 100% wool. 

Materials like leather and silk will feel better when you wear them and last a lot longer.

Found the perfect dress, but the sleeves are too tight? Or maybe a killer power suit, but the pants are just two sizes too big? If you’ve absolutely fallen in love with something but it’s not the perfect fit, don't discard it as an option. Instead, keep tailoring in mind. 

Image: Supplied.

Think of it as an investment in your wardrobe; you’re already probably paying less for the item than you would if it was new, so the cost of tailoring is that bit extra to make it, literally, made for you. 

Just make sure it doesn’t end up in that ‘I’ll get to that soon’ pile!

Recycle your old clothes through The Goodness Loop.

Sometimes when cleaning out your closet, you stumble upon clothes that simply aren't saveable or donatable, but throwing them away feels wasteful.

To make it easy to recycle your old clothing, Boody has teamed up with Upparel to launch The Goodness Loop. They want to make this process easier and more rewarding.

Here’s how it works. Simply gather all your unwanted clothes together (all brands are accepted), ready to send to Upparel. 

You need to send a minimum of 25kg, which is a great excuse to get some friends or colleagues together and combine your garments, or do a cleanout of the whole family’s closets. 

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Then, head to Upparel's website to fill out a form with how many kilos you’re sending, and a label will be created for you to pop on your package. 

It costs $25, however, Boody will reward you with a $25 voucher to use on any of their sustainable basics.

Your clothes will then be either turned into kids' couches or repurposed goods, sold to be used as ceiling insulation or donated to a third party charity if they deem the goods to be fit. 

It’s a win-win; you can feel good about your garments not going to landfill, plus you can stock up on Boody’s soft and comfortable bamboo basics.

Organise a clothes swap with friends.

This is a brilliant way of refreshing your wardrobe for zero dollars. 

Everyone has those pieces hanging in their closet that are quality, but maybe don’t fit us anymore or just aren’t our style. 

Clothing swaps are the perfect way to give these clothes new life, while getting a few new items for nothing.

A few things to keep in mind when organising a clothing swap are sizing and quality. 

Image: Supplied.

Make sure that people of all sizes are included so everyone has a chance to find something they are comfortable in.

Also try and include clothes of a similar quality and price, so no one feels ripped off for swapping their designer pieces for fast fashion.

Make your own clothes.

This might seem like everyone’s last port of call when it comes to refreshing your wardrobe, but hear me out. Sewing is something everyone can learn to do, and it gives you the ability to make something perfect for yourself, with the added “I made this!” smugness.

Sewing your own clothes means you can pick a pattern you love in the perfect fabric. 

With fast fashion being so affordable, it’s easy to get sucked into buying that t-shirt in three different colours, just because. 

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Sewing is more purposeful. 

First, pick a pattern that you love. Don’t like the length? Add or take away a bit. Remove the sleeves if you prefer. It’s up to you. 

Then pick a fabric you love. You can pick silk if you want something flowy and gorgeous, or a bright pattern if you’ve always wanted a pair of red check pants. 

The best thing is, you’ve made something literally tailored for you, that you worked hard on, so you’re more likely to pull it out of your wardrobe more often.

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to making sustainable choices. But there are little things we can all do to lessen our impact on the planet.

Instead of buying something new, try out one of these tips and feel the difference in how you value the pieces in your wardrobe. 

And by utilising The Goodness Loop, you can rest assured you’re not contributing to landfill. Now that’s something to feel good about.

When you throw away ready-to-retire apparel, it’s a one-way ticket to the landfill. Embrace circularity, and help make a positive impact by donating your clothing to The Goodness Loop here.

Feature Image: Supplied/Upparel.