So many of us have bought a cheap dress or shirt on a whim, only for it to be worn once (if at all) and consigned to the back of the closet. Perhaps you’ve even bought a pair of shoes just to realize you already had a very similar pair at home. Even worse, sometimes the article falls apart after one wash, and it ends up in the trash.These shared experiences with so-called “fast fashion” often come with guilt—not just for the money spent, but also because it encourages the unethical treatment of workers, and adds to the impact unwanted clothes have on our planet.“Fast fashion is very cheap prices, very low cost materials, not paying staff the legal minimum wage for that country or region, and a heavy marketing strategy of ‘get it now or regret it’,” says Jennfer Walderdorff, sustainable fashion consultant and author of Look the Labels. “Conversely, slow fashion is higher quality fabrics, they’re paying staff fairly, they’re not flying things from A to B. Everything is more considered compared to fast fashion, which is more fleeting, micro-trends.”, National Geographic reported.
You’ve heard it before: Reduce, reuse, recycle—in that order
The first step should be to inventory what you already own. Stylist and sustainable fashion expert Roberta Lee recommends doing a wardrobe audit at least once a year to review each item and decide whether to keep, donate, or sell. Consider factors such as fit, condition, and versatility, then organize items into categories to help spot gaps or duplicate pieces.Items that make the grade but need some TLC can be mended or even restyled with help from a tailor. Walderdorff champions having items repaired, which she says can extend its life—replace buttons, stitch moth holes closed, and rectify stains by dyeing the item a different color. Except for tights, “almost everything can be fixed,” she adds.If you really need to replace something, invest in pieces that won’t date, says Lee. Look for classic cuts that are timeless and can be dressed up or down.