Earth Day Is Every Day, So Adopt These 9 Sustainable Fashion Practices Now

Published on April 13, 2020 at 6:02 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Wasilak

We are constantly doing research on fashion brands that keep up with sustainable practices and minimize waste when creating clothing — it's literally a part of our job. Personally, I'm a big fan of swimwear, so I've committed to spending my dollar on labels like Ookioh (even Aerie's sustainable line that's made from plastic water bottles is a great example). I've been doing this for years, but my efforts should extend to my entire closet, and, like a lot of people in the fashion industry, I'm trying to get there. If you are fortunate enough to spend your money on something stylish and affordable that was made consciously, why wouldn't you?

Fashion editors, stylists, and influencers around the world are also collecting vintage outfits and accessories more and more. Thrifting sort of surfaced as a Kardashian-Jenner "trend," if you will, in 2019 (the famous family sources pieces from What Goes Around Comes Around often). But, as is sometimes the case, the Kardashian-Jenners were onto something. Shopping from the archives is truly a solid way to preserve history, and it does also allow you to build a one-of-a-kind wardrobe that sparks nostalgia.

I couldn't help but wonder if I was missing anything — what are other little tips and tricks my peers are practicing when it comes to fashion? Are there any great brands I still don't know about that promote ethical shopping methods? I reached out to some fellow editors who, like me, have been doing their fair share of research too. Scroll through to read nine great quotes on sustainable fashion that should inspire you to rethink your perspective on clothing for good.

Sarah Wasilak, POPSUGAR Fashion Editor

"Jeans are without a doubt one of the greatest articles of clothing to collect, but I like to stay dedicated to a few great-fitting pairs instead of buying up tons of styles I don't really need — think of all that excess fabric! I rarely ever wash my jeans in order to preserve them for as long as I possibly can, and when it comes to their white T-shirt counterpart, I remain dedicated to my Hanes EcoSmart crewneck (I buy the kids' size XL) — the brand has been focused on reducing water usage and shifting to renewable energy sources for years."

Hannah Weil McKinley, POPSUGAR Content Director of Fashion and Shop

"I finally curbed my appetite for fast fashion with an emphasis on quality pieces I'll wear again and again. There's no shame in being an outfit repeater and finding season-less clothing that truly brings you joy from thoughtful brands and designers. That way, you can always feel good in what you wear and feel good about shopping. And when the time comes that you do outgrow your love for something, I highly suggest you donate your pieces to an organization like Dress For Success or Goodwill if you can. If not, consider reselling or doing a clothing swap with friends to mix things up."

Dana Avidan Cohn, POPSUGAR Executive Style Director

"I am definitely wearing a lot more vegan leather these days. So many brands are now making animal-free clothing and accessories that are still very high quality in look and feel. Sometimes it's hard to actually tell it's not leather! In general, I am also shopping brands that are doing their part to be more mindful of the environment."

Nikita Charuza, POPSUGAR Fashion Editor

"Reformation is one of my favorite sustainable fashion brands that provides complete transparency. Not only are the designs on point, but I love the fact that it has mapped out a comprehensive five-year plan for its sustainability efforts so there's nothing hidden."

Laura Lajiness, Writer, Editor, and Stylist

"I've been shopping secondhand and vintage a lot lately (The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Housing Works are a few of my regular haunts), especially because I love the idea of spending money on an item that's already in existence and diverting 'old' clothing from landfills. I also have a long and running list of brands that prioritize sustainable materials and ethical labor practices that I like to shop from whenever possible. If you're a jeans-lover, might I suggest checking out these ethically minded denim brands? Here, I combined vintage, secondhand, and ethically made pieces — a vintage Gucci coat, Celine boots bought secondhand, and jeans from Agolde (they have rigorous sustainability standards)."

Aemilia Madden, The Zoe Report Senior Fashion Editor

"Over the last few years, I've cut back on buying fast fashion, almost entirely eliminating it from my closet. Instead, I try to buy secondhand, shopping on sites like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Rebag and browsing Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads when I can. There's a thrill that comes with finding something rare or unexpected, and I love that my closet isn't just a replica of everyone else's."

Sissy Sainte-Marie Chacon, Stylist and Consultant

"I'll be buying as little as possible and extending the life of clothes I already own by styling them in new ways. I will also continue to keep my wardrobe circular by selling and buying at vintage and consignment stores. Also, I will buy from designers who practice a sustainable and ethical manufacturing process. Here is a photo of me in a used MNZ skirt and Rouje sandals from a consignment store called Gift of Garb, plus a bodysuit from Gil Rodriguez."

Ashley M. Kiely, Freelance Fashion and Lifestyle Writer

"For several years now, I've made a real effort to make strategic purchases in order to get the most out of my fashion buys, which is something I will be continuing to do this spring. Additionally, I'll be taking a look at my warm-weather pieces to see how I can rework them for 2020 before I go out and buy anything new – some time away often gives me a new perspective on how to style items already living in my closet. When it comes to making new purchases, I'll be hitting up my favorite vintage shops and resale sites as well as looking to support more brands that have made sustainability a priority — I already have pieces from Christy Dawn, Maggie Marilyn, Nomasei, and Lacausa (among others) on my spring shopping wish list."

Nicky Deam, Creative Consultant, Editor, Writer, and Stylist

"As I'm fortunate enough to be able to work from home, and I'm also doing a lot of laundry, I'm focusing on making my laundry efforts more sustainable. I'm freezing my denim, rather than washing it, and hanging things to dry as much as possible. I'm also using Reformation's Guppy Bag to wash any synthetic fabrics — it catches the microfibers that are shed during the washing process and stops them from contributing to water pollution."