This is How to Start Your Sustainable Fashion Journey

Even before the pandemic, the topic of sustainable fashion was becoming increasingly prevalent in the news and social media. All this time at home has many of us considering our own fashion footprint. After wearing exclusively sweatpants and hoodies for the past few months, you may be questioning whether you really need all of the stuff in your closet after all. Having a sustainable wardrobe sounds intriguing, but how do you actually start?  How can you move beyond the trendiness of sustainable fashion and integrate it into your lifestyle?

1. Educate yourself: Read more, shop less

The first step in embracing sustainable fashion is to educate yourself. What is the social and environmental impact of the current fashion industry? Which fabrics are most sustainable? How can I ensure that my clothes were produced ethically? Why does sustainable fashion matter? 

Once you are able to answer these questions, you are well on your way to a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Below are some great resources to get you started:

Read:

Blogs:

Renoon’s ‘read’ section is an excellent place to start. Below are some eye-opening articles by industry expiry Elena Picci.

• “This is why ethical fashion is important” 
• “How to know which sustainable certifications to go for”

 

Books:

• “Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes” By Dana Thomas 

Follow:

• @Fash_rev is an account dedicated to the Fashion revolution Global movement calling for greater transparency in the fashion industry, famous for #WhoMadeMyClothes?
• @Carmitive and @candicemtay are some great slow fashion bloggers
• And of course, @Renoon posts sustainable outfits, trends and interactive stories 

Watch:

• The True Cost is a must-see documentary on your next Netflix binge. This exposé on the fast fashion industry which shows that if the price tag looks too good to be true, then it probably is

Listen:

• Renoon’s Sustainable Fashion Podcast is a great way to make your daily commute a little more educational. Each episode, Renoon’s founder Iris Skrami interviews founders of sustainable brands, diving into their unique career paths and goals.

2. Define your values

Once you have educated yourself on the basics of sustainable fashion, the next step is to decide what matters most to you. While it would be great to shop only for items that are made from recycled, vegan materials, pay competitive wages, and support local artisans; the reality is that most companies are not perfect and there are often trade-offs that need to be made. By uncovering your core values, you can filter through the sea of options and ensure that your purchases align with what matters most to you.   

Lucky for you, Renoon has a created a fun and easy quiz to help you identify which values are of most importance to you 

Take the free quiz

3. Evaluate your current closet & shop accordingly 

Now that you know the basics of sustainable fashion and have a strong understanding of your own personal values, it’s time to open up your closet.  Pull out some of your favorite items and check the label to find out where and how they were made. What kinds of fabrics are they made of?  Do your favorite brands align with your values? 

If the answer is no, that’s ok. 

But now that you know better, you can do better.

Every euro you spend on clothing that supports people and the planet is a vote for those values. By supporting sustainable businesses, you are shaping the future of the industry. 

But investigating sustainability standards can be time-consuming. That is why Renoon has done the work for you. On Renoon’s website, you can filter clothing by values such as Vegan, Organic, and Upcycled clothing.   

Want to feed your shopping addiction a more sustainable way? Check Renoon’s selection of second-hand options. 

Need something dazzling for a special occasion? 

We won’t stop you – find something that catches your eye at a local boutique and rent it from there.

Embracing a sustainable fashion lifestyle doesn’t need to be difficult or daunting. By educating yourself, uncovering your values, and shopping according to those values you are well on your way to a more sustainable future!