photo by miltedflower via flickr

Deciding what to wear for the day is tough enough without considering the impact our wardrobes have on the environment.  According to Planet Green, an average American throws out 68 lbs. of clothing and textiles each year, and in the cotton used to make just one T-shirt, there is a third of a pound of chemicals that are unhealthy for you and the planet. But an eco-wardrobe doesn’t have to mean burlap and drab. With these simple tips, you can wear responsibly and fashionably –  it’s as easy as reduce, reuse, recycle.

1. Shop Slow. And by slow, I mean only buy things you know will last. A  Cambridge University Study titled “Well Dressed?” created waves in 2006 when it declared “fast fashion” stores such as Forever 21 and H&M are major contributors to carbon emissions. Not only do their products promote wastefulness among customers by making trendiness so cheap, but an even bigger problem is the environmental cost of manufacturing, packing and shipping to quench demand.  Choosing lasting fashion over fast fashion is the first step to a greener wardrobe. By spending more on clothes that last, you’ll save money in the long run and lessen your impact.

2. Accessorize. Never underestimate the power of accessorizing. With a little creativity — and a few eco-friendly bangles — that look from 3 years ago is as good as new. Just ask Sheena Matheiken of The Uniform Project, she makes the same little black dress work every day, and for a good cause, too. Mathheiken, who went to school in India, has pledged to wear the same little black dress for a year, re-inventing it every day with glasses, scarves, lace, colored tights and more, to raise money for uniforms and school supplies for children living in Indian slums. All the accessories are donated and are either vintage, recycled or handmade.

3. Make Your Own. Making your own clothes may seem intimidating, but a few sewing classes at your local community center or church is all you need to create your own wardrobe. Step it up a notch by making your new clothes out of recycled materials: old sheets, curtains or duvet covers. Threadbanger is a great resource for anyone who wants a DIY wardrobe.  Get started with a Shirred Fabric Summer Dress.

4. Buy Sustainable and Organic. Cotton, the most popular fabric, is also one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Of the top 15 pesticides sprayed on cotton, the Environmental protection agency considers seven of them either probable or known human carcinogens.  When buying new, choose items that are made from organic or sustainable materials, such as bamboo or hemp. Bamboo is a self-renewing plant that requires little water and zero pesticides. Hemp, although it needs water and fertilizer to grow, is very successful without pesticides.

5. Wash Cold, Hang Dry. The same study from Cambridge University, “Well Dressed?”, found that outweighing the carbon emissions used to grow, manufacture and ship is the energy and emissions expended to wash and dry a garment. The best advice is to buy an energy efficient machine, but there are a simple ways to conserve energy with your existing washer and dryer. Make sure to only wash full loads, and always set load size to appropriate levels (if your washer has this setting, of course). Washing with cold water gets clothes just as clean with less energy — as much as 85% of the energy used to wash clothes stems from heating water. Make sure to use cold-water friendly detergents, i.e. liquid not powder. Lastly, hang dry whenever possible. Energy Star doesn’t even rate clothes dryers because there is so little difference in energy use between models. According to SmartMoney.com, “clothes washers and dryes account for 6 percent of your annual energy bill (putting washers and dryers in the top 5 of energy-guzzling home appliances), with the bulk of that amount coming from the dryer. Plus, hang drying causes less wear and tear, so you’re clothes will last longer.

By Amelia Harnish