In the past, only the rich could afford to buy new clothes every so often after a new fashion trend emerged. The fashion industry has since evolved and has facilitated the production of low-quality duplicates of clothes seen on high-end catwalks. However, fast fashion comes at a cost as the garment workers are kept in unconducive working conditions, not to mention the negative impact on the environment. Well, but do you know that you can still stay stylish while avoiding fast fashion. Here are some tips.

Purchase second-hand clothes

Change the way you shop if you find it hard cutting down on your shopping habits. Opt for second-hand clothes instead of buying new clothes each time you go shopping. Thrifted or vintage clothes are unique, cheaper than new clothes, and you have a high chance of finding amazing pieces. Buying pre-owned garments allows you to look good on a budget and avoid fast fashion.

Take care of your garments

Hold on to your clothes a little longer by repairing them as soon as they get torn and following the care label as you wash or iron them. You could also opt to redesign your clothes for a fresh new look. Extending their lifespan by an additional three months reduces the water and carbon footprints in the environment by up to 10%. Please resist the urge to buy more than you need because you know you can sell or donate them later.

Enquire about the garment workers

Garment workers are the ones that pay for the low prices of clothes you enjoy. Brands are determined to keep prices low so that people will continue buying from them. Therefore, they place garment workers in shoddy and inhumane conditions and pay them very low wages. Ensure you support brands whose policy and production are transparent so that you are assured their workers are being given fair treatment.

Less is more

Invest in a few high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched with most pieces in your wardrobe. To keep up with trends, buying inexpensive, fast fashion each month makes you an active supporter of the detrimental fast fashion industry. You could also purchase a few sustainable dresses that are eco-friendly and will last you a long time.

Avoid certain fabrics

Try to steer clear of garments made out of either organic cotton, leather, or fur. Many ethical considerations come with animal materials, not to mention their negative impact on the environment. When synthetic fibers used to manufacture stretchy activewear and swimwear are washed, they release thousands of microplastics to our water bodies, harming marine life.

Use the 333 rule

Challenge your friends and family to cut down on impulse buying and avoid promoting the fast-fashion supply chain. Select thirty-three items in your wardrobe and use them for the next three months. This challenge will enable you to become more creative and mix and help you realize you don’t use most of the clothes you own.

Wrapping Up

We must embrace sustainable fashion to save our environment and look out for the ill-treated garment workers. Keep in mind that fast fashion can be a hard habit to break. However, don’t be so hard on yourself and give yourself time to adopt healthy shopping habits.