How to dress more sustainably

Worldwide, we buy more and more clothes, but we wear less and less of our wardrobe and we pay less and less money for clothes. On average, the Dutch buy 46 new items of clothing per year* for about 16 Euros each. We wear 21% of our wardrobe** in the Netherlands. We dispose of so many items of clothing which leads to mountains of waste that are piling up due to unsold stocks during months of lockdown.

What can you do to change this? You can buy clothes that last longer, that you cherish, and that match your personality. In these times we can find the time, space and inspiration to dress more sustainably. You will find 6 easy ways to make more sustainable choices and buy consciously.

1. Combine well
   When purchasing, it is important to ask yourself whether you will really wear the garment. Can you easily combine it in various ways for different situations with other items of clothing you already have? Or do you need more clothing and accessories to complete your look? Think carefully about whether you can make variation.
2. Think in advance
   We all feel like buying something new every now and then and pampering ourselves. Because that feels good! Think in advance which items you are missing to get more out of your wardrobe and to update your outfits for the coming season. It helps if you go shopping with a shopping list. This way you avoid buying items that you never wear or only put on once and never again.
3. Buy good quality clothes
   Never go for a piece of clothing because it is cheap! Don’t be tempted by the sale. A shirt worth 3 Euros that is never worn or that you have to throw away after washing it twice is a real shame and of course extremely polluting for the environment. Go for quality. The purchase price of quality is indeed higher, but a shirt that you wear a lot for years is ultimately cheaper for your wallet over the years. How can you tell good quality of clothing? Use your hands. How does the fabric feel, is it smooth and firm or rough and thin? How the garment feels says something about the quality. The more fibers that are incorporated into the fabric, the longer it will last. Hold it up to the light. Are there few fibers and can you see right through it? This indicates a lower quality. Check the seams on the inside! Pull the seams apart a little. Do the seams stay tight together? Then it will be all right. Does the garment have a zipper? Move it up and down a few times. Is it going smoothly? Then it is of good quality.
4. Is it fine, then fix it!
   We all throw away so many clothes that are still fine. Use and repair what you already have. Take it to a good tailor near you. This way you ensure that the clothes you already own last longer.
5. Consider other possibilities besides buying new
   You don’t always have to buy new-new. We are seeing more and more online stores specializing in luxury fashion brands such as Designer Vintage, Vestiaire Collective, Unique Designer Pieces and 035 Vintage. Another alternative to buying is renting, such as LENA Fashion Library and By Priester; great if you want to experiment with other different looks.
6. Locally made clothing
   If you want to buy new, support locally made and small fashion entrepreneurs. Respect what is made in Europe and close to home! Because less transport is better for the environment.

Only buy items that you are genuinely happy with and that you can enjoy forever. Cherish your clothes! Because not wearing 71% of your wardrobe is a real shame!

Source credit:
* This is shown by research by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
** This is shown by research by international moving company Movenga.