5 Tips for Going Green; the fashion way

Going green in fashion doesn’t mean you have to dress in drab clothing or go to the Garden of Eden wearing leaves, lol. However, one can remain fashionable whilst reducing waste and maintaining a low carbon footprint. Below are the ways in which you can be fashionable and green.

•  Rewear 

Some people (especially celebrities) believe that being fashionable means you should not repeat clothes. There is absolutely no rule like that. You only need to know how to put your pieces together to create a fabulous look. Don’t buy clothes and pile up your closet just because it is trendy but rather know your style and what suits you. This will reduce waste in the long run. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is an example of a celebrity that practices this method. 

• Reuse

While I quite agree that some clothes can’t be reworn after some time, they can however be reused as cleaning clothes (or other purposes) in the home.

• Recycle

I remember when I was younger; there was this trade by barter system whereby some people go from one house to another collecting items no longer in use in exchange for other useful items or cash. This is a form of recycling. Recycling will significantly reduce the amount of clothes that go to landfill. Stores like H&M have a garment collection service whereby you can hand in your old clothes which will be recycled into new products. Clothes that are no longer in use can also be donated to charities.

•   Repair

Instead of throwing that bag with zip issues away, you can repair it and put it back in good condition.

•  Use of ecofriendly products

Stella McCartney sandal with biodegradable sole

Processes involved in the manufacture of clothes usually generate a lot of waste which can be toxic. Clothing companies are beginning to recognize the impact these processes are having on the environment and they are making efforts in reducing it. For example, H&M conscious collection is made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles. Also, Stella McCartney has been able to develop a sustainable brand that doesn’t involve the use of leather and fur. A lot of Nigerian designers are also embracing ecofashion. 

P.S. One of these days, I'll be posting an interview with some Nigerian designers with ecofriendly brands. Watch out!