Ultimate The Sustainable Wardrobe

BY: BELLA DUNCAN

ART BY: LILLY HUNTER, ELENA OSSOSKI

When something is labeled “sustainable,” it usually means the practice or item is able to be upheld or defended over an extended period of time. What makes a wardrobe sustainable? There are many different definitions for this concept-turnedphenomenon, but the ultimate sustainable wardrobe is full of clothes you truly love.

With the recent changes in trend cycle timelines, it is crucial to seek out trends within your own wardrobe. In the past, the life cycle of trends was anywhere from a year to multiple decades. Micro-trends on the other hand, have been shown to last anywhere from a few weeks or months to a couple of years maximum. Discarding and buying new trendy items to keep up with these micro-trends is not sustainable, yet it is what consumers online are being encouraged to do.

The concept of creating a sustainable wardrobe has arguably become a trend in itself, seen in the recent popularity of capsule wardrobes. Calculations of how many pairs of jeans, shoes, and shirts a closet needs to be complete dominate social media feeds. With these ideas, the true enemy remains at bay: the idea of conforming your wardrobe to any set formula. Though curating a wardrobe of neutrals and basics may not feel like participating in a trend, if this style of clothing does not align with your personal style, it is just another trend waiting to be replaced. A truly sustainable wardrobe will be uniquely formulated for its wearer.

The integrity of clothing has taken a major hit due to the rise of the fast fashion industry. Fast fashion pieces are created with synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and acrylic as a way to curb expenses and produce the most amount of product for the lowest price. These pieces contribute to micro-plastic pollution and do not hold up to the test of time. Clothing articles with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen are not only better for the environment, but more comfortable and wearable over time.

Overconsumption in today’s age of digital media is a serious and daunting problem. Endless scrolling through online stores and social media has created a competitive environment for consumption. There is always something new, meaning the increasingly short trend timeline has created a culture of never-ending selfreinvention. Consumers feel a constant need to obtain ultra-specific items to fit into a given aesthetic instead of working with items they already have.

Battling overconsumption and trend shopping begins with self-reflection. Think about the silhouettes and colors that make you feel best, what you are typically drawn to in your closet or in stores, and what pieces have remained a constant in your wardrobe. Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, and abandoned online shopping carts are telling of what you tend to gravitate towards. Pay attention to the patterns of your own consumption.

Intentional shopping is the greatest tool to creating a sustainable and satisfying wardrobe. Avoid buying things only because they are on sale, shop out of season to see what past trends you still like, and decide what constitutes a basic for your style. Buying a piece at a discounted price that you would not have purchased otherwise still takes up the same amount of room in your wardrobe. Curating a closet full of purposeful pieces creates ease for styling.

Sustainability has a different meaning in each wardrobe. Closets cannot be deduced to a calculated formula; they should stem from personal style. Purpose and intentionality should be at the forefront of any sustainable wardrobe.