4 Tips to Shop More Sustainably

According to my Instagram poll, another one of the top goals clients have this year is to shop more sustainably. I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the perils of shopping fast fashion, the literal mountains of discarded clothes, and heard me wax poetic about  the importance of using natural fibers versus man made in your clothes (cotton or silk versus polyester; real leather versus faux or vegan leather). This week I’m chatting my favorite tips to help you get started on your sustainability journey, and a few items from my favorite sustainable brands below! 


Here's 4 tips to get you started on your sustainability journey :

1. Let’s start with where you’re shopping. One of the BIGGEST things you can do to shop more sustainably is to stop shopping fast fashion. This means avoiding H&M, Zara, SheIn, FashionNova, Forever21, Lulus…These retailers may have enticing price points but that comes at a major cost for the earth. Instead, opt to splurge a little more on quality basics, instead of all the trendy items for a season (tip 3 will help you fill the trend-gaps). Favorite slow fashion/sustainable retailers include Everlane, Industry of All Nations (menswear/gender neutral), Modern Citizen, Amour Vert, Quince, Albion Fit, Sezane.

2. Once you stop shopping fast fashion you may realize your fabrics are changing. Man made fabrics like polyester, acetate, faux/vegan leather are made up of plastics - and every time you wash these items they release dreaded micro plastics into your washer and gets fed into the ocean and we all know what happens next. By making mindful swaps and transitioning to natural fibers (cotton, silk, wool, cashmere, linen, etc) you’ll be doing your part to help with having a more sustainable closet! The bonus is that these natural fibers last longer and are stronger, standing up to tears and pilling better.  


3. Since you’re likely going to be spending more per item and having less items, your closet may feel rather…bland. A sustainable way to have fun with your clothes is honestly one of my favorites - RENTING! Depending on your personal style there’s different rental options; if you love to shop ultra trendy Revolve, there’s Fashion Pass. If you’re an Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters person, there’s Nuuly (here’s a discount for your first month!). If you’re style is more Nordstrom and maybe more workwear leaning with some fun, there’s Rent the Runway (and here’s a discount for you). Not sure which is for you? Book a virtual call with me and I’ll help you figure it out and get your account set up with some styles pre-picked for your renting ease! 

4. Now the absolute NUMBER ONE thing you can do to shop more sustainably is to shop second hand. This keeps used clothes out of landfills and creates less demand in the realm of new clothing, so less is made. While I love an in-person thrift session, stores like Goodwill and Crossroads Trading can be disorganized and overwhelming. When I’m on a personal shopping session with clients I tend to have them take a sit while my trained eye does the shopping. A slightly less overwhelming approach is to shop secondhand online - I’m a HUGE shopper of Poshmark for contemporary brands, and love TheRealReal for when I’m hunting for something designer. 

Need some extra help finding sustainable items and brands that work for you? Let’s chat!