Do you have a lot of ready-to-wear in your closet? Do you usually quickly replace them with a new collection? In fact, fashion changes so quickly that you have to adapt to the latest trends. But the time is serious, because fast fashion has an environmental impact. We can avoid this clothing waste by following these 4 tips and adopting ethical and responsible fashion.

4 ways to adopt eco-responsible fashion

1. Choose natural materials

First of all, there are many unethical and environmentally harmful fabrics (polyester, acrylic, spandex...). If you are sensitive to organic fashion, first check which fabric was used for the design of the clothes. First of all, here are the materials to focus on:

• Organic cotton

Again, growing cotton requires a lot of water and pesticides. If you buy cotton clothes, choose those that are organically grown . This one is grown without pesticides, and preserves our health and nature.

• Hemp

Hemp is one of the most ecological and sustainable materials. Antibacterial, it is both warm and breathable while wicking away moisture. A garment made of hemp lasts a very long time in your wardrobe. Plus, it gets softer the more it's worn and washed. Finally, it is a biodegradable material, respectful for the environment and requiring very little water to grow.

• Linen

Like hemp, linen is an excellent biodegradable fiber while respecting the environment. It is durable, breathable, lightweight, absorbent, antimicrobial and moth resistant. A good reason to favor it in your wardrobe.

• Oldest boy

Wool is a natural material produced by sheep, goats, alpacas, etc. It keeps you warm, while being of high quality and biodegradable. But before buying woolen textiles, make sure that the brands chosen follow ethical values , opting for cruelty-free practices to produce sustainable garments.

2. Prioritize the quality of the clothes instead of the quantity

It is true that ethical clothing is more expensive than a low cost product. On the other hand, your investment will be profitable in the long term. I advise you to choose 10 organic items per year, instead of 50 items of clothing at low prices. In this way, you significantly reduce the carbon footprint. So save, buy less and invest in sustainable, minimalist fashion.

3. Take care of the clothes you already own

Of course, if you buy high-quality clothes, they're more likely to last longer . And if you take good care of them, they will last even longer. Take care of your clothes and you won't have to replace them as often. This is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet.

4. Learn to mend your clothes

Why throw away a dress just because the zipper broke or a small hole appeared? Make a habit of fixing your clothes , and if you can't do it, don't hesitate to go to a professional.

Where to buy ethical and sustainable clothing?

If you apply these tips for dressing eco-responsible, all you have to do is know the brands that respect ecological values . To know where to look, several options are available to you.

First, look to French clothing brands . No need to look far to dress eco-friendly. Some brands offer OEKO-TEX® certified ethical fashion clothing and accessories.

You can also opt for handmade ethical clothing . You can be sure that your organic clothing is made with love by designers who are well paid and treated humanely.

Another option is to consider second-hand clothes . Many sites exist on the web offering must-haves (sweaters, t-shirts, jackets, skirts, jeans, tunics, etc.) at affordable prices. A great way to renew your wardrobe at a lower cost!

Eco-responsible fashion must reinvent itself

Why do we wear our clothes so few times a year? Over the washes, they are quickly worn, damaged or faded. In addition, the quality of our clothes decreases every year. And again, all it takes is a hole in a sweatshirt for it to be immediately thrown away and replaced, what is called fast fashion.

In simple terms, fast fashion refers to the renewal of clothes several times a year. The many original and low-priced styles encourage consumers to buy more.

Moreover, the big brands offer countless varied collections to encourage us to spend more such as:

• printed sweatshirts,
• high waist jeans,
• lace lingerie,
• sandals, etc

And even more during the sales, when your favorite brands offer their unsold products from last year before the new collection.

However, filling your dressing room at a low price is only possible by lowering production costs. We must be aware that mass production has an impact on the environment , working conditions and our health.

Indeed, polluting materials are used for the manufacture and dyeing of textiles. Also, some materials like cotton require a lot of water and pesticides to grow.

This not only causes a negative impact on water quality, but also on our health and nature. According to studies, approximately 93 billion cubic meters of water are consumed annually in the fashion industry. According to the UN, it is the second most responsible for pollution in the world.

In Europe, nearly 4 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year. These clothes could be sorted and benefit from recycling. Unfortunately, 80% of these textiles end up in the waste before being incinerated.

The word for the end

From an ethical point of view, creating an eco-responsible wardrobe does not mean throwing out all your clothes and starting from scratch.

Take care of your clothes so that they last as long as possible. This way, you won't be in a rush to go shopping. As they wear out, replace them with durable clothing . This way, you can gradually build up an eco-friendly fashion without breaking the bank all at once.

And you, how do you apply ethical fashion?