What to Look for When Shopping “Sustainable”

Oct 4

Shopping sustainably has not been something I focused on before the pandemic, since I was working with a lot of boutiques, I wasn’t actively thinking about all of the luxury and even higher end clothes that end up in landfills. I began looking through my closet finding all of the designer and expensive items I purchased before the pandemic that I’ve never worn. It wasn’t until I purged my closet that I realized what I’m focusing on with my clothes and money moving forward, and that’s sustainability.

Many companies claim to be sustainable, like Zara and H&M, but when you look at their materials and practices, they’re far from the eco friendly companies they claim to be. I’ve never shopped at Zara or H&M, but both are the most popular companies you see all over instagram and blogs because they’re cheaper than Nordstrom and more trendy. While not everyone can afford luxury items, there are so many reasonably priced sustainable clothing brands that offer soft cotton tees and 100% cotton jeans, not to mention the plethora of thrift stores.

When I’m thrifting or looking at new brands to purchase from, here is what I look for in regards to maintaining a more reasonable and eco friendly sustainable wardrobe:

The first question I ask myself is “Are these trends that actually align with my wardrobe, personal style and lifestyle?” Many clothes now base their aesthetic off of Instagram, I’ve definitely fell for this tactic quite a bit. Is this something that will be a passing fad or something that actually makes me feel great and something I’d wear even when it’s not on trend? A good personal example is my love for trainers, I bought a pair of Balenciaga Triple S Trainers and I’m obsessed. And while dad trainers are going out of style, they’re a main staple in my personal style and wardrobe (and no, I don’t care they’re not in style anymore). They’re also extremely practical for my lifestyle. For example, I walk a lot (have had a lot of foot problems), live in a city and have a more business casual meets Parasian style. So when I shop, I’m looking at items that are more align with those styles, not a passing Instagram aesthetic.

From there, if an item fit my personal brand and style, “Are these natural materials use to make the clothes or synthetic?” My most worn pieces in my wardrobe are 100% silk and 100% cotton, natural and breathable materials that won’t fade with time. All of my jeans are 100% cotton to reduce the plastic in the jeans so I can wear and wash them more. Most of my tops are made from cashmere, wool or cotton (sometimes a blend of two or three). And for shoes, leather is the best way to go because I will definitely get the most wear our of leather shoes then cloth. Being selective about your materials helps reduce your own waste and will also help maintain resale value, if you sell your clothes like I do. Focusing on items that aren’t made of plastic will help reduce your own waste longterm.

Finally, an incredibly important question I ask myself is “Is this a company that I want to support?” Looking at the companies ethics, practices and even how they treat their customers is a top priority when I shop. Even companies I’ve worked with aren’t exempt from this. As a consumer, you have the power to tell companies what is and isn’t acceptable by where you shop. When shopping, I’ll look at employee reviews of the company, BBB reviews from customers and even looking through their comments on Instagram to see how they treat others. Looking at the material and even their transparency as to where their items are made, is the cream-de-la-creme for shopping (The Curated does the best job of this I’ve ever seen).

You as the consumer can change the fashion industry just by being selective and making sustainable choices. Money is power and when shopping, keep that in mind.