Tips to create a sustainable work wardrobe
We can all agree that our wardrobes need to be more sustainable. With £140m sent to landfill each year in the UK it’s no surprise that clothing rentals are a growing business. Celebrities are very keen to show off their rented outfits on social media but is renting the most environmentally friendly option for the everyday attire of us mere mortals?
The short answer is ‘no’ because once you factor in garment cleaning, transport to and from renters and the fact they’ll be discarded once past their prime, rental garments aren’t the best option. According to this recent article, if a garment is worn more than eight times then it is worth buying it. I do love a simple solution!
Your workwear should consist of multiple garments you wear week in, week out. Ideally until they wear out! It takes a little effort, but creating a wardrobe full of mix and match pieces will help you cut down your carbon footprint and save you time and money in the process.
This is something I do with all my clients and also practise myself. Here are my top tips to help you do the same:-
Start by cutting back your wardrobe
Have one working wardrobe and take out anything you don’t wear. You don’t have to throw them away (yet) but put them elsewhere for now. A suitcase or vacuum pack work well for storing items.
Work out what you actually wear
Put all your workwear items on a separate rail or section them off in your wardrobe. Turn all of the hangers around. When you wear a garment, put it back in the wardrobe with the hanger back the other way round . After a three to four week period you’ll be able to clearly see the garments you actually wear – you might be surprised!
Write a list of what you need
Once you know what you wear on a regular basis you’ll be able to see where the gaps are. Write a list of the five key pieces you need to create more outfits in your wardrobe.
Only shop with a plan
Now you have a list, focus on the garments you need most and create a plan to buy them. You’ll need to consider your budget, body shape and set aside some time to research them before purchasing. Don’t skip this step as the time and effort you put in now will ensure you have garments that you’ll love to wear many times.
Choose quality over quantity
Invest as much as you can in each item. That doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune but taking the time to consider the fabric, fit and durability of an item. A beautiful silk blouse might catch your eye but if it’s a light colour and dry clean only, the chances are you won’t wear it every week.
Be sure you’ll wear it next year
We are all drawn to trends and fashion pieces, that’s what they are designed to do. A good way of testing if something has longevity is to ask yourself if you would buy it in one year’s time. The classic camel coat might seem low key compared to the hot style this season but chances are it will stay in your wardrobe a lot longer!