As young adults going to school while working one or even two jobs, keeping up with the constantly evolving trends can be costly. Not only does shopping for new clothes wreak havoc on your wallet, it’s also one of the many contributors to water pollution. According to SustainYourStyle, 90 percent of wastewaters (the waste byproduct of the textile industry containing dangerous chemicals) in developing countries are dumped into rivers without treatment. This affects not only the health of people nearby the bodies of water, but the aquatic ecosystems that have made a home in these rivers. In order to slow down the negative effects of the textile industry, it’s important we look at the different ways we can stay clothed sustainably, while still keeping our individual style.

 

 

Here we’ve compiled several simple yet effective ways to begin dressing more eco-friendly that’ll have both your wallet and mother earth thanking you.

 

Thrifting isn’t just for your grandma

With so many people repping big brand “vintage inspired” clothing on your campus, it’s safe to say that retro is here to stay. But why buy new, expensive clothes when you can get the original style for less at the thrift store? If you can’t make it to a physical store, or you just have a case of the online shopping blues, head over to websites dedicated to reselling unique vintage items or gently used designer threads like Depop or Poshmark. It’s important to take advantage of existing clothing because it directly eliminates the need to shop for new products.

 

Repurpose old threads

This one is for all you crafters. Before you go to the store to purchase more clothes you might outgrow in a few seasons, try finding a new purpose for that old tee shirt by cutting it into a cute crop top, or even turning some ripped jeans into a new pair of cut offs. If you want to go the extra mile, invest in a needle and thread to create your own unique piece. Many secondhand craft stores sell used ones for less than a dollar, and you’ll earn bonus points for recycling! Not only does learning how to mend your clothes extend the life of your investment, you’ll avoid unnecessarily having them end up in a landfill.

 

Sweatshop.. to Sweatshirts

While we place a great emphasis on using sustainable sources in our daily lives, we should also consider closely how these products are made. Are the people creating the clothes treated fairly? Is the financial ecosystem fostering new job advancements and creating livable wages? This kind of information can be found on sites that report on the ethicality of brands through expert analysis, like the site Good on You. Before you decide on that dress you’ve been eyeing, give the brand a search and make sure it’s doing its part. 

 

It’s just one pair of jeans.. does it really matter?

While it may not seem like one piece of clothing would do that damage, it’s important to remember that as consumers, we align ourselves with the values the companies we purchase from. Its difficult to picture the grand scheme of the effects caused by the textile industry, especially when brands who participate in unethical businesses practices hide their footprint. But by supporting ethical and sustainable clothing brands, we can help give them the platform to reach bigger audiences, and in turn raise environmental standards for other companies to follow.