4 Eco-Friendly Fashion Items Every Conscious Shopper Should Own

Being an eco-friendly fashion lover is a tall task. You’re bombarded with sales, must-have trends, and pushes to consume more now than ever. The result? Lots of confusion about how to balance your desire to look cool without contributing to waste.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to choose. There are ways to have a green approach to style that looks great and does good. Here are a few items you should prioritize for your next eco-friendly shopping adventure.

1. Rewearable Staples

Single-use items are the bane of an eco-friendly consumer’s life. They serve one purpose before being discarded to become someone else’s problem. In short, they’re a huge issue in the fashion industry and beyond. Instead, choose to buy staples you can wear over and over again.

These pieces should be ones you reach for often and fit into your daily style and wardrobe needs. They need to align with what you do on a regular basis, so keep your lifestyle in mind when shopping. Use that as you explore different options from various brands.

People living in cold climates should find ethically made coats that will keep them warm and can withstand several treacherous winters.
People who menstruate should explore period underwear options to cut down on single-use products like tampons and pads. Remote workers may need comfortable but professional attire, while in-office employees may opt for classic business casual wear. The key is to invest in quality pieces that last.

Once these key areas are covered, you won’t have to worry about the basics. Your everyday style will be full of high-quality, functional pieces you love and want to wear. And that can make all the difference in getting the most out of your eco-friendly closet.

2. Multipurpose Pieces

Sometimes the bright, standout patterns are a hit. They leave an impression on everyone who sees you rocking them. However, because of their memorable nature, it’s not likely you’ll re-wear those items that frequently. These one-hit wonder pieces, therefore, aren't very eco-friendly.

Instead, opt for clothing items that serve multiple purposes. Coats with removable layers suitable for temperature variances are a great pick. Staple dresses, tops, and pants that can be worn in multiple seasons are a smart investment. Even investing in layering items like cardigans can help you get more use of your clothes all year round.

These pieces of clothing are more than one-use purchases. You’re able to wear them in several scenarios — rain or shine, snow or heat wave — and use them regardless of the weather. That versatility contributes to a wardrobe that’s functional and eco-friendly because you’re maximizing each piece.

Plus, you can better justify spending more on investment items. Your cost per wear is substantially lower on an article of clothing you wear 10 ways than one you only wear twice. So, find the gems that serve many purposes and reap the benefits of your eco-friendly choices.

3. Natural Fiber Garments

The makeup of your clothes is a crucial component of how environmentally friendly they are. Certain fibers frequently found in fast fashion clothing like polyester are considered plastic. They’re synthetically made and created from petroleum, which isn’t reusable and features a relatively high carbon footprint.

A better alternative is purchasing clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. These are biodegradable and made of renewable resources. So, if you throw out an article of clothing, it can degrade on its own versus sitting in a landfill for years.

The easiest way to prioritize natural fibers in your shopping journeys is by looking closely at labels. Clothes have tags on the inside, sometimes on the collar and other times on one side, that display their composition. You can see the percentage of each fiber the item is made of. While 100% natural fibers are preferred, a majority percentage is still a better choice.

The impact of this small change can be significant. You’re actively contributing to a smaller carbon footprint than if you purchased the same item made of synthetics. So, challenge yourself to always check the tags and use that information to inform your buying decisions. You’ll be more eco-friendly for it.

4. Secondhand Gems

Few things are more sustainable and environmentally friendly in fashion than buying clothes that already exist. Instead of purchasing newly manufactured clothing that requires labor to make and pollution to transport, you’re taking advantage of existing options. Whether you bought them or not, they would still exist. You’re just giving them a second life.

So, if you’re hoping to up your eco-friendly fashion habits, give secondhand or vintage shopping a try. You’ll get more unique items and can pick up high-quality pieces at a steep discount. That means building a more sustainable wardrobe without breaking the bank.

The best part? There’s no shortage of options in the secondhand fashion world. You can support a resale shop nearby that fuels your local economy. Or try shopping secondhand online using resale apps, making sustainable shopping on the go a reality.

No matter how you choose to get involved with secondhand fashion, know you’re making a difference. Extending the life of clothes has a direct impact on landfills and the prevention of overflowing waste problems. Plus, you may end up with an item even cooler than something off the rack at the trendiest store.

Fashionable Without the Footprint

As you navigate your eco-friendly fashion journey, remember to give yourself grace. No one is perfectly sustainable, so that shouldn’t be your goal. However, each environmentally friendly choice helps the planet. And that is something you can be proud of.