hat we wear touches more than skin.
Clothes carry stories — of cotton fields and factory hands, of promises made in marketing meetings and memories stitched quietly into seams.
To dress sustainably isn’t to follow rules.
It’s to begin noticing.
What we choose. Why we choose.
And who we choose to see.
Not to be perfect — but to be present.
Check before you buy
A little research can reveal a lot.
Websites like Good On You offer glimpses into how brands treat people and the planet. It’s not flawless, but it’s a starting point — a way to see beyond the surface.
Some names often recognised for their efforts:
- Patagonia, for its repair programs and activism
- Nudie Jeans, offering free repairs and organic cotton
- Eileen Fisher, with timeless, circular design
- People Tree, a pioneer in fair trade fashion
- Armedangels, certified organic and transparently made
But it’s not about collecting brand names — it’s about understanding what better might look like.
Look into how clothes are made
Certifications like GOTS, Fair Wear Foundation, or OEKO-TEX can point toward better practices — fairer wages, safer workplaces, fewer harmful chemicals.
Still, no certification covers everything. Some brands may be doing meaningful work without the budget for third-party labels. Others may use certifications as a marketing tool without deeper commitment.
So, look for signs of intention. Does the brand talk openly about its challenges? Do they name their factories or partners? Transparency isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being real.
Learn to read fabric and feel
The fibres matter. Organic cotton is grown without harsh chemicals, making it gentler on the soil and safer for those who farm it. Linen and hemp are naturally low-impact and tend to age beautifully, softening over time without losing strength. Recycled polyester can help keep plastic in circulation, giving waste a second life — though it still sheds microplastics when washed, which can be partially caught with a Guppyfriend bag.
But fibres alone aren’t the whole story. How we wash, dry, and mend our clothes shapes their impact just as much as what they’re made of. Small choices, done often, make a difference.
A higher price often reflects deeper value
Sustainable clothing often costs more — because it should.
Because someone was paid fairly.
Because the materials were sourced responsibly.
Because the garment was made to last.
When we’re used to €10 T-shirts, anything more feels expensive.
But low prices often mean someone else is paying the difference — with their time, their health, their security.
Not every garment is affordable to everyone.
That’s real too.
But even understanding what goes into the price helps us make choices with more awareness, and less illusion.
It doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful
A well-worn fast fashion piece, repaired and worn again, may hold more meaning than an expensive garment tossed aside after one season.
There is so much sustainability in the way we use clothes.
In how long they stay with us.
In how we honour their full life, even when that means cutting them into rags or patching them into quilts.
Longevity is its own kind of protest.
Try second-hand or swap with others
Plenty of beautiful clothes already exist.
Markets, vintage stores, and community swaps (like those hosted by Fashion Revolution) let garments have another life — and give you something that’s already stood the test of time.
Sometimes the most worn things are the most loved.
A final thought: know your style
One of the most sustainable things you can do is understand what feels true to you.
When you know your style, you stop buying out of impulse or insecurity. You stop needing more just to feel enough.Sustainability isn’t just about doing less harm.
It’s about dressing in a way that reflects who you are — and living in alignment with it.