Whether we realize it or not, there are many questions we ask ourselves as we shop for clothing. Does this shirt fit properly? Will it be comfortable? Is it well-made? Adding another condition to that list might seem like a nuisance, but being sustainable with your clothing choices can make a significant positive impact on your wallet.
Don’t Be Scared!
Before you roll your eyes, we should explain that investing in eco-friendly clothing does not mean you have to get in touch with your inner casual, college student by wearing yoga pants and wrinkled shirts every day. The options for organic clothing have never been more plentiful or stylish. Hip and sophisticated retailers like American Apparel and Fair Indigo use eco-conscious fabrics and production methods, which are the foundation for sustainable clothing products.
Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer, has set up an interactive website called the Footprint Chronicles that allows consumers to track the economic impact of their products from design to delivery. Click here to check it out.
Most retailers don’t make it that easy for their customers, but by doing a bit of homework on your favorite stores you should be able to uncover if they buy from manufacturers who chemically process their fabrics or ship production overseas. Unnecessary over-uses of resources are what set plain ole clothes apart from Green apparel.
Time to Shop!
Once you’ve found a few responsible suppliers and you’re ready to invest in a few new sustainable clothing items, make sure to choose styles that are classic and made from good materials such as cotton, wool, or linen so you’re sure to be wearing them for years to come. Clothing that goes out of style quickly doesn’t make your wallet or the planet very happy. Buying from consignment shops such as Plato’s Closet with locations in Montgomery and Auburn and Repeat Performance in the Mulberry shopping district gives you the option to wear materials that aren’t eco-friendly, but can’t hurt the planet any further at this point in their life cycle.
Nobody is suggesting you toss out your favorite little black dress or sports coat just because it has a nylon liner. You’ll be happy to learn that the most eco-friendly clothing is already hanging in your closet. Since no additional cost or resources are required for them, they’re as eco-friendly as they’ll ever be right this moment. If you already have a closet full of clothes made from non-organic fabrics, go ahead and wear them! And when you tire of them, give them to charity or sell them at a consignment shop — recycling clothing couldn’t be easier.
Switch Up Your Wash Loads!
Another aspect of organic clothing is what you do with your apparel once you own it. Research has shown that 75% of the energy used on clothing occurs in the laundry stage, not in the actual manufacturing or distribution. This means you’re not just paying $30 for a shirt; you’re paying hundreds of dollars to keep it clean over time. This might mean it’s time to take your laundry to a whole new level of sustainability. Planet Green has a wealth of information on how to be more efficient with your washing.
If you decide to take on any of these suggestions to switch up your closet, we guarantee your wallet will thank you.
