This is for now my last summer outfit what I’m going to share with you. I combined a new purchased shorts, which I got this year in June from Lefties, with my favorite white blouse. The blouse and hat I already own and the sisal sliders I just used for this 15 minutes shooting, I returned them afterwards.

As I already told you, I’m not going to create outfits with newly bought clothes from the fast fashion industry any more. To be honest I have already knew that the fast fashion industry has a huge impact on climate change and environmental pollution. But did you already know that the fashion industry's carbon impact is bigger than airline industry's?

I just heard about it a while ago and it really shocked me. Can you imagine that the apparel and footwear industries together account for more than 8 percent of global climate impact, which is greater than all international airline flights and maritime shipping trips combined? This terrible fact let me think about it and it changed my mind and life. I started the challenge to reduce my personal fashion consume. But what can I do in my job? Because as costume designer, assistant costume designer or set costumer on film productions as well as “fashion blogger” I have to work quite closely with the fashion industry. But there's a way to keep it sustainable.

Do you hear about that conspicuous consumption is out and circular fashion is in?

No, don’t worry, the term doesn't refer to round patterns or silhouettes but to extending the lifecycle of well-made garments and recycling their materials into new items.

But how can we extant the life circle of our garments? In order to change the way we think about fashion and embrace a more sustainable way of shopping, we also need to focus of taking care of our garments.

After all, it’s us who need to start seeing clothes as pieces for life, rather than styles to wear just a handful of times. Here are some simple tips to start extending the life cycle of your garments, because also the small conscious changes can help to reduce negative impacts on the environment.

1.) Don’t wash clothes after just one wear. Though cleanlieness is important, if you didn’t get a stain on your garment, consider hanging it up in your closet again. The more you wash an article of clothing, the more wear and tear it’s subjected to.

2.) Invest in quality clothing. Everyone knows that quality trumps quantity, but many people tend to buy less-than-stellar clothes because it’s less expensive or it’s trendy. However, the truth is that if you invest in high quality clothing from the get-go, your clothes will naturally last longer, which is good for our wallets and for the environment. Further if we stop buying poor quality, it will push brands to improve the quality of their garments.

3.) Invest in more sustainable clothes. More and more fashion brands take into account the environmental and social impact of their production. But, I know, the offer is still limited and it is easier and cheaper to go to the closest shopping center to refill your wardrobe. But the more we demand sustainable clothing, the more will be available, just like organic food was difficult to find 15 years ago. Today, it is available in most supermarkets.

These are my favourite sustainable brands at the moment.

Twothirds

Passenger

Coalatree

4.) Buy less, choose well and make it last. Unfortunately even the greenest garment uses resources for production and transport to your home, creating some environmental impact. The root of the problem lies in our excessive consumerism, we buy ten garments while our grandmothers bought only two. We tend to think that buying new clothes will make us happy. Maybe we should reconsider some foundations of our lifestyle. 

5.) Simplify Your Closet. Do you really need all the clothes? You may be better off spending the same amount of money on good quality and timeless jacket from a sustainable brand. That’s why one of the tenets of ethical fashion is to edit your closet and simplify your needs.

6.) Buy more handmade. An options for handmade, locally sourced clothing are farmers’ markets, flea markets, and craft fairs. Support your community by purchasing goods made close to home.

7.) Think twice before throw out your clothes. Don’t throw your clothes in the normal bins! Most of them consist of synthetic, non-biodegradable fiber and will just pile up in the landfill. There are other options, like try to repair them. Sometimes with a bit of imagination, you can repair or even redesign a torn garment. Donate your clothes to your friends, family, neighbours, or to charity shops. Some shops take back used clothes from their own brand or even from other brands. Sell them on a flea market or give them to a wardrobe rental. The last option is to put them in the textile recycling bin, because textiles can be recycled to make new clothing.

8.) Buy more second hand, swap & rent clothing, instead of buying new clothing, have a look at alternative options. As Second hand shops, which isn’t a new concept! You can find second hand shops everywhere in the world. Many websites and apps also offer all kinds of second hand options ranging from the cheapest to brand-name clothes.

Swap clothes is a type of initiatives, which is popping up all over the world. Participants bring clothes that are no longer wear and exchange them for clothes they will use. This is an economic and eco-friendly way to refill your wardrobe. You can also organize it among your friends. 

Last but not least rent clothes, which is also a growing industry. This is a great option, especially for clothes that you will not wear for a long time or often (baby or pregnancy clothes, party dresses, wedding dresses...). Some companies also offer a monthly fee, allowing customers to constantly renew their wardrobe.

Most film and television productions work hand-in-hand with costume rental companies because this business model is more profitable for film productions and of course much more environmentally friendly than buying new clothes for every production.

The organization of second hand, swapping and renting clothes usually takes place on a local level. Find out what is available in your neighbourhood.

Ok, I think now is the right time to share a little secret.

For about a year I have started to set up a costume and clothing rental. In collaboration with Seven Islands Film and myself, we have created a small place, where we store our costumes and clothes. At the moment I’m preparing every single item like garments, shoes, accessories and jewelry to be able for rent. It's a lot of work, but an end is in sight, so I thought I already could give you that little news. Soon in Gran Canaria, the first costume and wardrobe rental will be launched. So it remains exciting. Stay tuned…!!!

In the end I would like to say some final words.

For me there is no more way to avoid to buy sustainable clothing made of environmentally friendly materials and fair paid labour costs. I know eco-friendly clothing cost more, but in this case I really like to pay more.

However, higher costs can be avoided as well. You can shop at second-hand stores and pay even less than the discount price. The money you have saved or even have earned by selling at the flea market, you can afford to buy some new, environmentally friendly pieces. And you'll see, you’ll feel better knowing that your money will support companies that do good in the world.

What is your favorite place to look for sustainable clothing? Would like to know more. Maybe you have a good advice for me.

Let’s save our home!

Love,

Katy!

Pics and Styling by me Look2 Ocean