6 Tips for Sustainable Fashion on a Budget

If we had the choice, most of us obviously would want to support sustainable fashion. Nobody deliberately sets out to support brands that contribute to the climate crisis through unsustainable production processes and selling cheap products that end up in landfill sites almost immediately.

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But with many sustainable fashion brands being out of the average person’s budget, you might be wondering how it’s possible to make fashion choices that are better for the planet without spending a fortune.

This guide shares 6 easy-to-implement tips for building a sustainable wardrobe on a budget.

Choose Pre-Loved Clothes Over New

With the sheer abundance of thrift stores and online resale platforms available today, there’s rarely any need to buy clothes that are brand-new.

Choosing to fill your wardrobe with pre-loved items keeps clothes in circulation and out of landfills. Plus, you’ll often find quality items for a fraction of the original price.

Learn Basic Clothing Repair

When a button falls off your favorite pants or a seam starts to unravel on your staple summer dress, don’t throw the whole thing away—fix it.

You can do a whole lot with a needle and thread, and by no means do you have to be a sewing expert to make basic repairs. You could also patch small holes with Custom Patches by Labeloom, turning damage or wear into a design feature that helps you stand out from the crowd.

Shop Smart

When you’re shopping for clothes, pay attention to their materials. Check the tag or product description to see what they’re made from, and look for those made with durable, sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or recycled materials.

Yes, it’s true that clothes designed with these materials generally cost more upfront, but they also usually last longer, which means you’re saving money in the long run. Check the care labels, too, so you know how to extend the life of your wardrobe.

Host a Clothing Swap

If your friends are into sustainability as much as you, get a group together and swap the clothes you no longer wear.

This is a fun way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny, and you might even walk away with something you’ve been wanting to try.

Borrow Instead of Buy

If you’re buying clothes for a vacation or a special occasion, there’s no point in buying at all—you’ll probably only wear the outfits once, then never want to wear them again because they’ve already served their purpose.

Instead, borrow an outfit from a clothing rental service. These give you access to high-quality pieces without the commitment, and they’re more affordable than ever before, with single-piece rentals costing as little as $25 per day.

Donate or Sell What You Don’t Wear

And finally, if you’ve got pieces in your wardrobe that you just never reach for, don’t feel guilty.

Just make sure to clear out your wardrobe sensibly, either by donating the items to local charities, selling them online, or giving them to someone who will appreciate them.

Following the tips in this guide should help you build a stylish, sustainable, and budget-friendly wardrobe. Sustainable fashion is all about making the most of what you have and finding ways to reduce waste, and every small action counts.