3 Tips to build a sustainable wardrobe
Sustainable fashion is a term that is slowly creeping into the Kenyan market. We are becoming more and more conscious of the decisions we make that have a direct or indirect effect on the environment. The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions. That’s a scary thought right? In fact, it is the second-largest polluter in the world, after oil.
Most times global warming may seem like such an abstract term but when you find out that your favorite jeans could be a part of the statistics, it might make you pause and reevaluate your entire wardrobe. Before you throw away everything inside your wardrobe, just pause. The first step is awareness. Start with small steps towards making your wardrobe more sustainable.
We have a few tips for you to get you started:
Tip 1: Buy Organic
We’ve switched to organic food, organic hair care products, and organic cutlery. Why not embrace organic fashion? Organic is the new black and this is a fad that’s definitely here to stay. Did you know that we have an organic line of products at Create A Tee? Bet you didn’t know that. We also use 100% organic ink because we want to do our part in reducing global warming. It’s all about the small steps we take. You may spend a little more on an organic t-shirt or tote bag but it will last longer than it’s contemporary counterparts and on another plus side, it’s safer on the environment.
Tip 2: Buy Better, Buy less
Caroline Mutoko clearly had something going when she said “Stop buying rubbish” Less is more guys, less is more. Let’s stop buying clothes we’ll either never wear again or have to replace in a few months because the quality was questionable. Buy clothing with longevity in mind. Save up, invest in good clothes and buy less. You’ll find out that you spend less in the long run because you’re buying pieces that are built to last and consequently making a better personal decision for the environment. Impulse shopping should be replaced with carefully thought out quality shopping. Trust me, try it and you’ll thank me later!
Tip 3: Repair and donate
It might be tempting to throw away the clothes you’re not feeling anymore but here’s something you could try. How about going out to the local “fundi wa nguo” to try and revamp that dress that used to be your favorite, until it was introduced to the sharp edge of the bed you’d been meaning to fix? Remember, it’s the simple steps we take to reduce clothing waste. If you’re sure you’re never going to wear it again, then donate it to someone who can actually use it and will be grateful for it.
And finally…
I’ll leave you with a quote: Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results. This is true for most things in life. From honing your talent to learning a new language; From nurturing the art of making soft chapatis to building a sustainable wardrobe.
