One of Pixie Mood's Account Coordinators, Hannah Sine, has been making small yet meaningful shifts in her life to be more sustainable. Since making a few eco-conscious changes to her wardrobe, we've asked her to share her best practices with us.
There are so many ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and recently I’ve found myself researching ways that I can be more environmentally conscious in my everyday life. I’ve begun to experiment with some helpful methods including simple things like investing in reusable bags, Meatless Monday, using up fruit before it can over-ripen, and switching from plastic water bottles to glass bottles. However, I knew I could do more!
One thing I never considered until I began working with Pixie Mood was having a more sustainable wardrobe. I didn’t even realize all of the ways you can be sustainable with your wardrobe until I began doing more research.
So, after taking a closer look, I thought I would share 5 helpful and simple tips to help make your wardrobe a little more sustainable:
1. Repair and Reuse
Small rips, holes and missing buttons can easily be fixed instead of buying a whole new replacement! Get creative and turn something you already own into something new again. Do you have a shirt with a stain in it? Try bleach ice-dyeing/tie dyeing to hide the stain! And if you have something that’s beyond the point of saving, make sure to recycle your items properly or reuse them as a cloth or rag.
2. Support Sustainable Brands
Shop brands that make ethical and sustainable choices for their businesses (we at Pixie Mood could suggest a good one 😉). Question how your clothes are made, and if you can’t find the answer ask the brand directly! Sustainable brands are always willing to be transparent and honest with their customers. Our Sustainability Initiatives page is a great resource to learn more about all of the eco-conscious changes that we're we're making here at Pixie Mood.
3. Shop Sustainably
One thing that’s easy to overlook is just how much pollution and unneeded waste shipping can cause. Shopping locally can be a great way to help cut down on that. Though many brands may ship from overseas, they are often doing so in bulk with thousands of items at once. Shipping a single item from overseas is often wasteful, particularly if there’s a local store nearby that has the same exact item. A lot of brands will even show on their websites where you can buy their products from local vendors!
4. Purchase Good Quality Clothing
Give up on shopping fast fashion. Even though you might be getting clothes for super cheap, the quality just isn’t there. How many of us have shipped that $20 shirt from overseas just to find out it’s made with cheap material that loses its shape after just one wash? If you invest more thought and money into your wardrobe, you will care a lot more and be inclined to take care of your clothes. Even if you’re paying more upfront, these pieces will last longer and save you more money in the long run.
5. Buy Second-hand
There are so many ways to shop second-hand. Thrift shops and vintage stores are a great way to find like-new or lightly used items that can usually be purchased for a fraction of its original price. And you never know when you’re going to find a hidden gem! Have an event coming up? Instead of buying something you’ll only wear once, borrow an outfit from a friend or a family member. Another idea is try having a clothes swap with friends. This is another great way to add some “new” pieces to your wardrobe.
I’m always looking for ideas to live a more sustainable life. Whether that be switching from plastic to glass, investing in reusable bags or repairing worn out clothes, the possibilities are endless. With plenty of great resources and helpful tips and tricks shared by others, you too can live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Let us know what you’ve tried to be more sustainable in your life in the comments below!
Written by: Hannah Sine
Hannah Sine is an Account Coordinator at Pixie Mood where she manages our Canadian wholesale accounts. Her daily responsibilities consist of processing orders, communicating with accounts and data cleanup. Outside of work, she likes spending time with her friends and family, going on hikes with her dog, and listening to music.