People often say that the beginning is the hardest part of change. We are constantly reminded of the need to care for the environment and how our behavior threatens our future. And even though action feels urgent, we still hesitate to take it.
The moment we try to change our habits – for example, by choosing sustainable fashion – we face the comfort of the ordinary. Instead of following the worn-out path, we simply face the need to rethink our behavior, find alternatives, and perhaps, the hardest part, take real action. And with all the wisdom and great strength required to stop those changes – falling back on old habits feels very tempting.
So, how can you start making green fashion choices? And what does it mean? Let’s think about it together.
What are the green fashion choices?
“Green fashion” is a broad term that refers to an environmentally and socially responsible approach to clothing, from production to consumption. You may also know it as “fashion” or “slow fashion” – terms that directly contrast with “fast fashion” and its mass production.
Fast fashion is often associated with labor exploitation and severe environmental damage, accounting for more than 10% of all carbon emissions and more than 20% of global water pollution.
Despite the well-documented negative impact of fast fashion, the industry continues to grow and dominate. Society may recognize – and disapprove of – all the damage caused by fast fashion, but keep turning to it for cheap, high-quality items.
Such variable behavior is known as the “attitude-behavior gap” – a trap we all fall into when we desire change and see it as important, but fail to take real action. Thus, bridging this gap becomes one of the most important tasks for today’s consumers.
Eco-friendly lifestyle: from idea to action
Removing “fast fashion” from its roots and paving the way for a future with less pollution, waste and inequality does not have to require sacrifices for consumers. Green fashion choices are by no means punitive or restrictive. Instead, they represent new patterns of behavior that prioritize awareness and mindful living.
Responding to people’s growing desire to be in harmony with nature, green fashion is shaping both our way of life and our way of thinking. It is closely related to the awareness of one’s actions and the formation of thoughts about food, stretching and even household chores and daily activities.
Today, there are many exciting options for fast fashion to suit every taste. And chances are, you’re already practicing some of them!
Let’s take a closer look at green fashion choices: from shifts that take almost no effort to those that can profoundly change your life.
Prefer watching over reading? We have it for you.
1) Review your closet
The old problem of “a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear” has long been a common joke. We all know what it really means: of course, we have something to wear – we’re just bored with our usual clothes and long for a little style update.
From a green fashion perspective, there is no real need to rush out to buy something new. Instead, try rearranging your closet. 99% of the time, somewhere behind it, lies a forgotten Y2K jean or a boho jacket bought many years ago that can be styled in a fashionable and, most importantly, a new way.
Mixing something new (What’s old is new again, right?) with clothes you wear every day can be fun. After all, fashion is not just a circle – it’s fun!
2) Donate and share
The common phrase “sharing is caring” works especially well when it comes to sustainable practices. Choosing to donate clothes instead of throwing them away not only benefits the environment – by giving the item a second life and avoiding the need for new production – but also society, by promoting equal access to fashion.
The same applies when you share clothes with friends or family members. Historically, clothes were passed down from generation to generation: from parents to children, from older brothers to younger ones. However, with the rise of fast fashion, this culture has also started to feel shameful.
However, in today’s world, which is plagued by an epidemic of loneliness, reviving the practice of sharing clothes can help strengthen healthy bonds in social groups and foster a sense of belonging. That’s a very satisfying bonus in addition to helping the planet, right?
Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to 6 sustainable ways to dispose of old clothes and shoes.
3) Avoid buying without thinking
Of course, for some of us, this choice should be placed at the bottom of this list as one of the biggest challenges. According to statistics, about 40% of all online purchases are unplanned and driven by emotions instead of logic. However, from an eco-friendly point of view, such irrational purchases are considered very harmful – especially if they become a habit, lead to continuous overuse and support the “throw away” culture.
Shopping on impulse brings short-term happiness, often followed by depression. The truth sinks in and you find yourself asking yourself “Why did I do that?” It helps to ask yourself a few questions beforehand: “Do I really like this thing?” “Can I style at least three outfits?” “How many times will I wear it?” Being more sustainable often means focusing on quality over quantity. So if these questions indicate that it’s probably not something you’ll really like, it’s better to skip it.
4) Choose organic or recycled fabric
The textile industry is dominated by polyester and cotton. And although polyester, which is petroleum-based and non-biodegradable, is considered non-biodegradable, cotton is a natural fiber and is often seen as a choice.
But that’s not right! Growing cotton leads to water pollution and depletion. An average cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water – that’s about a month of daily showers. If we opt for rain-fed organic cotton, water use is often estimated to be 91% lower, although that figure continues to spark controversy and skepticism.
The most sustainable cotton option is recycled cotton, which is made by reusing pre-consumer textile waste instead of growing new fiber. Today, it is widely available, along with other time-tested, eco-friendly materials such as linen and wool.
Also, many brands are experimenting with natural fabrics rich in benefits such as hemp and other new materials such as banana or orange fiber. And honestly, even the idea of wearing a shirt made from banana plants is too great not to explore.
5) Support eco-friendly products
Speaking of products, eco-friendly fashion trends also include choosing sustainable and ethical labels. This is one of the most powerful tools we have as consumers in the fight against fast fashion. By choosing transparent and low-impact brands, we are, at least, to some extent, changing the established model of the dominance of disposable fashion.
In addition, modern eco-friendly products clearly show that choosing green fashion does not mean compromising on quality or style. Conscious clothing can be just as creative – if not more so – than mass-produced items, while offering better value for money and lasting longer.
Ready to shop for backup brands?Ujo Shop has tested 100+ certified sustainable labels so you don’t have to.
6) Go through the upgrade
In recent years, investing has become one of the most popular ways to buy. Vintage shops are popular for low prices, unique items and a shopping experience that does not leave one guilty of harming the environment (as can happen after buying fast fashion clothes).
However, in order for vintage shopping to truly reduce your environmental footprint, it is important to maintain balance and avoid overconsumption. The idea that “it’s second-hand, so it doesn’t really count” – that you can buy endlessly and treat those things as disposable – can be as dangerous as fast fashion.
7) Try to do the bike up
It’s hard to express how lucky you are if you have the ability to sew. There’s a whole world of possibilities for anyone who can handle a needle without batting an eye – from refurbishing favorite pieces to creating completely new designs using old ones.
If sewing doesn’t sound like your cup of tea – don’t worry! There are still many ways to transform pieces that have passed their prime. Try cutting, painting, embroidering… Any kind of DIY can work! As long as you like the process and are ready to wear the final result!
8) Find YOUR style
Knowing yourself deeply enough is one of the most important things a person can do in their entire life. When it comes to style, understanding what suits you best – and what makes you feel most confident and comfortable – brings many benefits.
There is no more reason to spend hours in stores, leaving you disappointed and sad because nothing fits you and the styles don’t suit you. There is no need to rush to search for new trends that keep changing every day. And most importantly, no more anxiety or stress – at least not related to fashion.
If you’re not sure where to start, Ujo Shop’s personal styling service can help you define your look — in a sustainable way.
9) Practice awareness
This option completes the list as it not only leads to profound personal changes but also includes all the options listed above. By starting to make at least one eco-friendly choice on a regular basis, you will begin to develop an awareness-based approach to fashion consumption.
As you continue along this path, it will be easier and easier to distinguish your real needs – those that are in line with your personal values and goals – from those that are dictated by marketing, to choose high quality, sustainably produced and not in fast fashion.
After all, change doesn’t happen through perfection – but through daily choices to act in a sustainable way and do our best to not harm others or the planet. All it takes is a start! Little by little.
Are you ready to start?
Change doesn’t have to happen all at once. Pick one from this list – just one – and start there. That’s all it really takes.
As the saying goes:We don’t need a handful of people doing sustainable fashion — we need millions doing it imperfectly.
If this article helped you figure out how to get started, share it with your friends and family. Maybe they are looking for ways to start making better decisions too.
Pasha is a content writer and a graduate in fashion marketing. He is learning to live more sustainably by rethinking his way of thinking and exploring green initiatives around the world. Pasha finds true joy in travel, portrait photography and yoga.