Whether you’re self-isolating in sweats, still going into the office in business casual, or dressing up for a virtual night out (I’ve heard from a few friends who are doing online dinners or wine times!), I wanted to share some sustainable fashion tips with you.
Shopping sustainably (and locally) is something that’s important to me.
According to Lucy Siegle, a journalist who investigated fashion’s growing environmental footprint, Canada produces over 100 billion new garments from new fibres every single year.
That’s why I’m sharing three ways to shop sustainably this spring:
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Create a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe refers to a small but useful collection of seasonal clothing. This sustainable fashion approach is cost-effective and makes getting dressed so much easier—no more standing in front of a full closet lamenting that you have nothing to wear!
While there’s no definitive number of pieces in a capsule wardrobe, it’s generally made up of 30-40 practical, versatile articles of clothing. While creating your capsule wardrobe, consider:
- How you spend your time. Does it make sense to have more casual pieces, or do you like to frequently dress up?
- Your comfort level. It’s fun to get creative, but be realistic about what you’re going to feel confident and comfortable in.
- The weather where you live. Think about the temperatures throughout the entire season. Are there lots of rainy days? Will including five sweaters be too stuffy for your spring climate?
One big benefit of creating a capsule wardrobe is that you can Marie Kondo your closet!
Take this opportunity to tidy up and bag all of the pieces that you don’t wear anymore for donation to our Inn for Women Chic Second Hand Boutique across from Malary’s!
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Use Fabric Face Masks
Many people are wearing surgical masks in public, whether they’re cycling or at the grocery store.
While it’s good to practice healthy public hygiene, the large number of paper masks that are being thrown away is so bad for the environment and can even pose a health risk if not properly disposed of.
Fabric face masks are an ideal option. Malary’s is proud to carry FIRMA Energywear Face Masks.
Made with the same far-infrared fabric as FIRMA Energywear garments, these high-quality reusable, washable fabric face masks offer great protection and skin benefits. And, they’re available in black, white and light blue, so you can coordinate with your spring outfits! Learn more.
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Look At the Label
The low cost and convenience of fast fashion makes it a first choice for a lot of people. But these cheaply produced clothes are terrible for the environment, and are often made by factory employees who work in unsafe and unethical conditions.
The “sustainable” in sustainable fashion refers to the effect that production of the garment has on our environment, whether it’s biodegradable or manufactured with less water waste.
Fortunately, it’s easy and affordable to find sustainable fashion nowadays. You can often read about a company’s sustainability practices on their website before you click the buy button.
Or, give us a call at Malary’s! From Miik’s comfy Eco Jersey collection, to Marianne Greaves‘ hand-dyed pieces, to Cecile Benac Knitwear’s handmade designs, we have a wide selection of sustainable clothing we can show you.
Read about our private shopping appointments and curbside pickup here.
You have the power to make sustainable choices each time you shop! I hope this article has given you some fresh inspiration for spring and beyond.
