How to shop more ethically in 2019

From the mass-production of clothing, to cheap labour and questionable working conditions, to the amount of water used to make our denim, the ethical and environmental cost of the fashion industry is one we can no longer ignore. Coupled with next-day delivery, never-ending sales and shoppable Instagram feeds – our shopping habits are more fast and furious than ever. 

 

It’s time to slow down our spending, buy with longevity in mind and consider how we can be more ethical when it comes to our wardrobe choices. Here’s how:

   

1. Buy less, buy better

 

Perhaps the hardest thing to hear but the first step to shopping more responsibly is to buy less. Ask yourself: what percentage of your wardrobe do you actually wear? Think about what you do wear, what you don’t wear and why. Consider the implications of buying low-quality, fast fashion intentionally designed to last just a few washes. Instead, where you can, try and shop with longevity and craftsmanship in mind. Go into stores, speak to the makers and designers, feel the clothes – shopping should be experiential, not merely instant gratification.

2. Ask for more from designers

 

More and more brands are putting sustainable and ethical practice at the heart of what they do, whether that’s using organic, responsibly sourced fabrics or working with factories that ensure fair wages. Brands such as East London based The Acey, who source and design contemporary clothing made consciously in London or Fort Dungarees whose striped creations are made in a Fair Trade certified facility in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. 

 

Look out for designers who are using innovative ways to minimise their waste. East London-based studio Bug Clothing and Bulgarian shoe brand by FAR both use deadstock material from designer factory waste whilst Emma Aitchison uses recycled silver and gold to make her sustainable jewellery collections. While member-founded brand Riley Studio creates its gender-neutral clothing from as many waste materials as possible including recycled plastic bottles and old fishing nets. 

3. Don’t be afraid of second-hand

 

There are no shortages to the benefits of buying (and selling) second hand. You’re extending the lifespan of clothes that would otherwise go unworn or eventually end up in a landfill. Second-hand doesn’t have to mean poor quality either. Look to high end re-sale sites such as Vestiaire Collective which sells pre-owned designer pieces from Chanel and Gucci to Rixo and Supreme. The Resolution Store, founded by two Soho House members, launched late last year offering exclusive access to the wardrobes of influencers, extending the life cycle of little and un-used clothes. Alternatively, Rent the Runway is looking to power the sharing economy with a monthly update of pieces you loan and send back once you’ve worn them. A logical solution when you consider how many purchases you might end up wearing only once or twice, especially come wedding season. 

 

5. Fix it, don’t bin it

 

Fix things that break. Broken zips, linings that have come loose, torn jeans – take your clothes to the tailor and give them a new lease of life. Invest in a lint machine for your knitwear to keep bobbling at bay. Nudie Jeans offer free repairs at its repair shops for any pair of Nudie jeans, no matter where or when you bought them. 

6. Wash your clothes less

 

Washing your clothes less will help them to last longer, whilst also minimising your water and energy usage. With a tendency to lose their shape and colour, jeans and knitwear are prime victims to over-washing. Put them in the freezer instead in an air-tight bag – the cold temperatures kill the bacteria and rid the fabric of odours. You could also try airing your clothes after you’ve worn them, lining your drawers with lavender bags and where possible, hand-wash which is gentler on fabrics as well as using less water than your machine.

 

Rachael Cooney is the co-founder of More This. Less That, an ethical directory that seeks to unite more people with brands that care, collating them together in one easily accessible place; morethis.co.uk @morethis_lessthat