Sustainability in Fashion: 5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Clothes
As you may have seen, on Earth Day we shared some useful tips on our Instagram page on how to live more sustainably. On June 5th we also celebrate International Environment Day, a United Nations initiative to raise awareness and action for the protection of the environment worldwide. That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to write this blog and raise more environmental awareness.
According to the World Economic Forum, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all global CO₂ emissions and is the second largest consumer of water. In addition, a huge amount of clothing ends up in landfills; every second, an amount of clothing the size of a full garbage truck is burned or dumped (WEF, 2020).
At Federal Violet, we are all about sustainability and quality. That’s why our products are designed as ‘slow fashion’ – high-quality, produced in small quantities and made to last for years. Here are five tips to make your wardrobe last longer:
1. Choose environmentally friendly fabrics
Eco-friendly fabrics are biodegradable or recyclable and better for the environment. Think cotton, linen, wool or hemp. That doesn’t mean synthetics are bad by definition. It’s all about how we use them.
Nylon, for example, is extremely versatile and recyclable – it’s used in everything from parachutes to activewear. While it’s not biodegradable, it has a long lifespan. If you treat nylon clothing right, it can last a lifetime. Recycled polyester (rPET) is made by melting down existing plastic and reprocessing it into fibers. This saves up to 59% energy compared to virgin polyester.
2. Choose timeless designs
Don't get caught up in fast fashion trends and impulse purchases. First ask yourself a few questions:
- How much do I really love this item on a scale of 1-10?
- Is it comfortable?
- Does it give me confidence?
- Will I wear it regularly?
If you answer "yes" to all of them, it's a good choice! It prevents you from buying clothes that you hardly wear.
3. Wash less and at a lower temperature
Many clothes contain plastic fibers, especially activewear. Did you know that washing synthetic clothing releases 500,000 tons of microfibers into the ocean every year? That’s the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles! (WEF, 2020).
That's why we at Federal Violet use recycled polyester as our main fabric. Our polyester fibers are made using the Green Circle recycling system, which saves up to 50% energy and CO₂ emissions.
Our tip: Wash less, wash colder! Not every piece of clothing needs to be washed after wearing it once. By washing less often and at lower temperatures, you use less water and chemicals and your clothes stay beautiful for longer.
4. Hang your clothes to dry
Just like washing, the dryer can also damage the fabric, especially activewear. Drying your clothes on a clothes rack or clothesline saves energy and extends the life of your clothes.
5. Recycle or swap clothes
Do you have an item in your closet that you no longer wear? Donate it to a charity like the Salvation Army or take it to a recycling center. Do you have friends who are your size? Organize a clothes swap and give your wardrobe a fresh update!
Want to get creative? Give your clothes a new look by shortening them, re-styling them or adding accessories like buttons and zippers. And if it goes wrong? No problem, it can still be recycled!
At Federal Violet we strongly believe in this quote:
“Buy consciously, buy sustainably.”
In the long run, this will not only save you money, but also contribute to a better planet.
Do you have any sustainable tips? Send us a DM on Instagram @federal.violet!
💜 Love, Team FV
*If you are interested, you can read the full World Economic Forum article at:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/fashion-industry-carbon-unsustainable-environment-pollution/
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