Staying stylish and considering the planet doesn't have to be difficult. As the detrimental impacts (to both the planet and people) of fast fashion are being highlighted more and more, we're seeing a new era of fashion forward brands providing beautifully sustainable pieces. Now, it's easier than ever to wear your values on your sleeve.
Embrace these 5 simple steps to stay sustainable and stylish.
1. Invest in Quality Pieces
Sustainable pieces don't need to be boring, more and more conscious brands like ours are using earth-friendly sustainable materials and well considered designs to create beautiful pieces that don't just look good, but wear well too. It's a quality over quantity equation.
We craft almost all our pieces from Linen, with the intention of them lasting a lifetime. The entire plant, Linum Usitatissimum or Flax, is cultivated for yarn and flaxseeds, with little to no wastage from harvest. With 3-4 growth cycles per year, and no harsh chemicals needed to grow it, Flax is a super sustainable plant.
Shopping intentionally with a 'less is more' approach will reduce your carbon footprint and result in a better 'cost-per-wear' in the long run too. Invest in high quality pieces that are sustainably made, with earth-friendly materials such as linen, cotton, bamboo and hemp.
2. Embrace ethical, #slowfashion brands
As a consumer, you can look at earth-friendly indicators such as considering how the items are packaged, what materials are used for creating the pieces and how frequently collections are released.
It's commonplace for brands to label items as sustainable, without truly following through on the foundational principles of earth-friendly production such as these. So, do your homework to avoid greenwashing.
3. Give your wardrobe TLC
Taking extra care of the carefully curated pieces in your wardrobe will reduce your cost-per-wear, as you'll be able to wear them again and again. Pay special attention to caring properly for each and every piece, and you'll be rewarded.
Linen is a naturally strong durable fabric that's best washed on low temperatures, on a gentle cycle, and with a mild detergent to protect the fibers. It's super easy to look after and is a great fabric to consider when investing in sustainable pieces.
4. Choose Timeless Styles
Buy timeless designs that you can see yourself wearing in ten years time. Embracing a minimal style will help ensure your outfits stand the test of time. If you opt for investing in pieces that are thoughtfully designed and fit well, you'll feel amazing every time you wear them.
We consciously chose a fairly neutral colour palette that can be easily styled to form the foundation of any wardrobe. As a small business, we value creating clothes that empower others to make fashion conscious choices for our beautiful planet.
5. Give your clothes to a new loving home
When we're having a closet clear out we turn to websites and apps to sell our pre-loved pieces, such as Vestiaire Collective. Or, depending on the items we look at alternative options such as swapping with friends, donating to charity or sending them on to recycling programs.
Fashion (fast or slow) has an enormous environmental footprint for both its production and disposal. So doing what we can to consciously consume and thoughtfully dispose with sustainability in mind, and integrating these tips makes all the difference.
This month we're donating 2% of all sales to women's empowerment charity Woman:United, so your conscious purchase will have a wide-reaching impact.
With love,
Free The Label