Sustainable fashion: how to be eco-friendly and stylish

As people recognise the significant effect of their apparel on the environment, with the fashion industry contributing a substantial amount to global greenhouse-gas emissions annually, many have started turning to what is known as “sustainable fashion”. What exactly is this concept? Essentially, it is an umbrella term used to describe clothes and accessories that are created and consumed in a way that can be sustained without harming either nature or clothing makers alike. Importantly, this includes offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, lessening waste and pollution, protecting species diverseness, and ensuring those producing garments receive fair wages and work under secure conditions.

Though there are a few brands out there attempting to address all of these intricate matters, even they acknowledge that more can be done. Therefore, our consumption and purchasing practices must be altered. The way we buy clothes needs to be completely re-evaluated. In order to make sure your wardrobe is stylish and eco-friendly, look no further. Here are a few tips on how you can be eco-friendly and stylish at the same time without compromising your luxurious taste.

1. Shop secondhand and vintage

When expanding your clothing collection, there are many more options than buying brand new. Sites such as luxity.co.za provides access to an abundance of secondhand and vintage items. This can be incredibly beneficial for the environment as these garments are given a longer life, not to mention you have the chance to get your hands on rare limited edition pieces that no one else will own! For some style inspiration when it comes to pre-owned fashion, look no further than Rihanna and Bella Hadid - two celebs known for their love of vintage.

2. Buy less and buy better

In the current consumer culture, the idea of "buy less and buy better" is essential. In fact, approximately 100 billion garments are created on a yearly basis. As such, before making a purchase decision, ask these three questions: “What purpose does this item serve? Do I actually need this product? Will I wear this item more than 30 times?”

3. Take care of your clothes

The lifecycle of our clothes is extremely important in order to minimise the environmental harm we cause. By taking proper care of our apparel, we can make sure they don't end up taking space in landfills after a few years. Make sure to not over-wash your clothes; this will help reduce both carbon dioxide emissions and water consumption as well. An additional suggestion would be to repair any tears or damage rather than discarding them altogether. Refer to our blogs on how you can take care of your designer items for some incredible tips and tricks.

4. Ensure your clothes have a second life

Cleaning out your wardrobe can be an ideal opportunity to give some of your designer items a new lease on life. Selling or swapping them is the best way to make sure they don't end up in a landfill. For those unlucky garments that cannot be mended, recycling schemes exist for many materials, so it's worth searching for one that fits the bill.

Where to sell your designer items?

Selling your designer items by yourself can be tricky as people often question the authenticity of your item. Why wait, when Luxity will take care of everything for you! Whether you're looking to sell your luxury items and cash in the profits or even start investing in the luxury world, Luxity’s got your back.