Clothes are an unavoidable part of life. Just think, every single person on the planet needs to wear at least one, and probably more likely, four or five items of clothing every single day.
Even the most streamlined wardrobe needs to provide for different seasons, weather, activities, work and events.
Then there’s the question of size. Children and young adults outgrow clothes and all of us may change weight or shape (and often both) throughout our lives, requiring new (to us) clothes and making others redundant (also to us).
Not to mention the messy business of wearing clothes. Garments get dirty, worn out and damaged.
So, what can we do to make our wardrobes more sustainable in 2023?
Luckily, lots of smart people are inventing ways to help.
First, we need to start thinking differently about clothes. If you have sustainability and the lifespan of clothes in mind from the very outset, it'll help you make good choices. Choosing durable fabrics, clothes which can be repaired and even considering which other people will want to buy second hand will lead to the best options for the planet. Even better, try to buy second hand or renting when a need arises.
*Top tip: don't be afraid to bag a bargain with a broken zip, a ripped lining or in a bigger size - just send it off to an online seamstress service for mending or altering, like Mend by Mail!
Next, for the clothes you have already, treat them gently. Wash them when necessary but try spot cleaning and airing instead of piling every garment straight into the dirty washing basket. It's back to the old school, but protect your clothes with an apron or overalls or use a particular set of clothes for activities when you're likely to get dirty.
Store them carefully. Moth holes can be repaired, but avoiding them is even better. Some clothes should be folded, others hung on coat hangers or wrapped in tissue paper.
How about reducing the clothes other people are buying by clearing out your clothes and giving away or selling the clothes you don't want or need? If we all did this, we could dramatically cut the amount of environmental damage from new fabric and clothing manufacture.
Could you give an item a new lease of life with an adaptation or by having it customised? This means looking at your clothes in a different way, imagining what they could become. A dress is easily turned into a skirt (and top, possibly), trousers into shorts, jeans into cut-offs or a skirt with an added panel or fabric. If you don't have the skills, a local seamstress may be able to help.
Finally, if any of your clothes are in need of mending, try a postal repair service like Mend by Mail to get it sorted quickly and effectively so you don't need to buy something new. Check your clothes regularly for any little holes or zips starting to stick. A stitch in time, really does save nine. We can often mend a zip before it breaks altogether and needs replacing. Smaller holes are more neatly repaired than larger ones and turning up trousers stops them getting worn out and frayed.