6 Tips for a Sustainable Wardrobe
1. Properly care for the clothes you already have
This sounds quite obvious but it’s good to keep in mind. What have you got already? Do you really need more? If you care properly for what you’ve already got, they will last longer and you won’t need to be buying more things. And if your clothes need some fixing, have a look at our list of shops that can help you out.
2. Shop environmentally friendly brands
Look up the brands you like most. How are the clothing items made? What kind of materials are used? Are the conditions of their employees adequate? It is also important to know the environmental impact of the clothes you are buying as we don’t want to increase our impact through our fashion preferences! There are several New Zealand clothing brands that are going above and beyond, such as Nisa, Twenty-Seven Names, All Birds, Penny Sage, Yu Mei, Kowtow, Hej Hej. Not to mention there are several small business owners and local crafters who can provide quality, bespoke items right in your own town. Ask questions, do your research before purchasing an item and read the About section or the ethos behind the company before supporting them through online clicks and credit card details. Read one of our latest articles on slow fashion, called “Slow is the New Black” to find out more about the slow fashion industry and why it matters.
“Nearly three-fifths of all clothing ends up in incineragtors or landfills within a year of being produced.” - Vanessa Friedman NY Times Chief Fashion Critic and Director
3. Save up for quality pieces that will last
Say no to fast fashion and invest in good quality items. It may seem like a big investment at the time, but in the long term you will end up saving money as you won’t need to buy more. You won’t only be using these for longer, but you’ll also support businesses that care about their processes and take the time to produce quality items. Look at the labels to see what the item is made of to determine its quality and longevity.
Some top quality textile and fashion providers among our local New Plymouth stores and businesses include Annette’s Collection on Liardet Street, Lushington Jackets, Kilt, Boho Bridal Design, Footloose, Kingsway, and Bianca Lorenne which is also an outlet store for the New Plymouth region.
4. Shop secondhand
This is our favourite tip as we love OP shopping! It’s a place of wonders and hidden treasures. Vintage, modern, classic, you name it - it will probably be found in your nearest OP shop. Have a look at our guide to buying secondhand in Taranaki here.
Don’t forget to check out upscale second hand clothing stores like the Dressing Room on Devon Street in New Plymouth, Petals Preloved behind the Moturoa shops, and Twiggy’s Preloved in Fitzroy, just to name a few from the New Plymouth central area.
Some our Taranaki Op shops and hospice shops are the best in the country! Check out the HospiceShop Westown, St John Opportunity Shop, St. James Opportunity Shop on Lawry Street in Moturoa, St Mary’s Cathedral Op Shop on Vivian Street, Salvation Army Family Store, Waiwhakaiho HospiceShop, and the SPCA OpShop. & St. Chad’s Op Shop on Omata Rd. There are many more in our region, so if there is one missing and you’d like it included, please email us at info@sustainabletaranaki.org.nz.
5. Swap clothes with friends
Surely most of us have done this. It is so much better to borrow clothes from a friend with a similar size than ours than to buy something you won’t be wearing that often. Or giving your friends some of the clothes that don’t fit anymore, or that you don’t wear much for them to enjoy. It’s the new thing to attend clothing swaps and preloved clothing in house parties where a collector brings a second hand wardrobe to choose high quality pieces over some nibbles and good conversation. Check out Repeat Boutique to see what virtual clothing swaps look like.
6. Rent clothes instead of purchasing
You will not only be saving lots of money and space in your wardrobe, but you’ll also be able to use different outfits for different occasions without repeating them. Keep this in mind especially for your next dress-up party, and visit the New Plymouth Operadic Society to have a look at what they’ve got for rent.
Learn more about keeping a sustainable wardrobe, secondhand shopping, and slow fashion.
Read Frances Cook’s “How I survived only buying second-hand clothes for a year.”
