For years I have worked as a fashion designer, a stylist, a personal shopper, a sustainability consultant and now, I want to help you green your wardrobe.  I offer green stylist services (please contact me directly for this service) but if you’re looking for ways to shop ethically and with the environment in mind, I hope these tips inspire you into action!

It’s empowering to know that your purchasing power really does make a difference in the world – and I want to show you WHAT, WHERE and HOW to do it. There are many ways to green your wardrobe but here are 6 to get your started:

1. BUY ORGANIC

You shop for organic food and read all the labels, which is great, but that non-organic t-shirt you buy is laden with pesticides that run-off to the same lakes and streams as the pesticides from our non-organic produce, damaging many ecosystems in the process.

So look to buy organic clothing. Online is the easiest place to start for now, but slowly bigger retail stores are producing lines made with organic cotton. Last year Walmart was the biggest buyer of organic cotton in the world! H&M has an organic section in their stores – just ask the sales associate to point you to it. Alternative Apparel has started to use organic cottons for their amazingly soft jerseys – I love their tees!

2. BUY VINTAGE

Yes, that mysterious and beautiful yet sometimes dusty shop you walk past and never go in IS worth checking-out! You never know what you’re going to find. Along with recycling something that had a previous life, and saving it from the landfill, you have a great conversational piece to talk about.

3. BUY CLASSIC VS. TRENDY

Buying a well-made (although often more expensive) piece such as a trench coat is a much better choice than a jacket that you’ll get tired of after one season. Following the trends each season is fun -I’ve definitely fallen victim to it – but buying pieces that are well made and fit well, is always the more sustainable option. These are the pieces you will wear season after season and perhaps some day pass-down to someone you love.

Things to consider when buying pieces that will last:

-  Always choose a classic silhouette in jackets and choose a basic color like black, navy, camel and brown. Leather jackets are always going to be in fashion and perhaps pick your favorite statement color (mine is red) for a little excitement.

- When you find a pair of jeans that make you feel as good as they look, buy them and stick with them!  They will last for years to come, will fade perfectly and you get to rack-up tons of memories in them. My oldest pair of jeans is a vintage pair of levis’ – care of my Dad.

- Stock-up on and relish in those amazing cashmere sweaters that will keep you warm for years to come. They can be belted, tucked into skirts, and worn over leggings with a great pair of boots. Have fun styling your favorite sweater!

- Color is so important and it’s all about knowing what works for you and knowing what you won’t get sick of. I’m always in black, and have a hard time leaving it, but it works for me and I feel great when I have it on. What colors are you drawn to?

- Consignment shops are no longer the thing you don’t share with your friends. Bring your friends along – you never know what amazing designer pieces you’ll find! If you have some cute designer pieces that you never wear, bring them in to sell and trade. Search your city for a consignment shop near you.

4. STOP DRYING YOUR CLOTHES 

80% of the energy used in the life of your clothing is produced during the customer “use phase”. That’s a fancy way for Life-Cycle scientists to say that when you wash and dry your clothing it uses more energy than it takes to grow and manufacture the garment to begin with.  So HOW you care for your clothing is really very important. If you can, wash everything in cold water (with biodegradable detergents of course, I love Method!) and PLEASE consider against machine-drying your clothes. Instead hang them or lie them flat to dry to save energy… and money.

5. REUSE & RECYCLE

It seems like an innocent thing to take your unwanted clothing to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, but our second hand clothing represents a HUGE global commodity and a problem to overseas clothing and textile manufacturing industries that have been decimated by our overwhelming supply of used clothes.  People in the developing world are losing their local cultural craft and artisan jobs, as our cheap second hand clothing floods their markets.  Support your local designers and Fair Trade cooperatives when you see them.

Clothing swaps are a good alternative to exchange unwanted clothing and it’s no longer weird – it can be a lot of fun!  Find an existing clothing swap in your area or start your own with your friends over wine and yummy organic food.

It wasn’t too long ago that we mended and repaired our clothing when a moth gnawed a hole in it or we found a tear.  The act of mending and sewing is actually therapeutic, like many craft activities that are losing their power in our racing-speed digital media world.  I often give my things to my dry cleaner for repair and they’re happy to provide this cheap and efficient service.

6. BUY LESS, STYLE MORE

It almost pains me to say this, but it’s true, buying less can help us realize that 1) there are more important things than fashion and 2) you can do a lot with very little. Accessories like shoes, belts, bags and jewelry all can be used to spruce up your wardrobe.  Going through my Mom and Aunt’s closet has always been fun, and with a little creativity you never know where you’ll find your next favorite dress!

If you have additional questions, please contact me at: julia@thegreenstylist.com