We are all familiar with the adage, “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” as a simple way to save the planet. But when it comes to slowing down, living more consciously, and being a more ethical stylist, there is more. For me, there are 6 Rs of Eco-friendly Fashion: refuse, reuse, repair, regift, remake, reinvent.

In my opinion, we rely far to heavily on the recycle part of this adage. We think, well, it can be recycled, so it is good. And better yet, if it was already recycled, even better. But, these 6 Rs of eco-friendly fashion are just as, or more important. So, here they are:

 

The 6 Rs of Eco-friendly Fashion:

1. Refuse

The first thing any eco-fashionista should do is refuse. Refuse to buy new when something in your closet will work. Refuse fast fashion. Refuse anything you don’t absolutely LOVE. And refuse low quality, cheap clothing. Fast fashion and cheap clothing are causing an environmental and waste catastrophe, and the statistics are sincerely jaw-dropping. So, the first step in being a conscious consumer is to simply say no and refuse what will most likely end up in a landfill.

I know this is difficult. We have been conditioned to buy, and buy, and buy. But, it gets easier.

Simply being conscious of our consumption is the first and most important step.

It is also (in my opinion) the most important step in the eco-fashion journey. By being aware and mindful of our purchases, and then refusing what we don’t need or love, buying fewer, better things, we are well on our way to an eco-friendly and ethical wardrobe.

2. Reuse

Yes! Reuse your clothes. Love them. Wear them again. And again. And again. Be like Tiffany Haddish, and do the unthinkable, wear that gown again! Buy only what you love, and ask yourself, “will it pass the thirty wears test?” and then wear the heck out of it. Be “the girl in the black silk shirt.” And take pride in your beautiful, well loved, high quality items.

Buy vintage, and give new life to someone else’s well loved, high quality clothing.

And when something seems unwearable, see if you can repair it …

3. Repair

Your wardrobes is full of high quality, ethically made, eco-friendly garments (or at least full!). But occasionally, you spill something, you rip something, you lose a button. Take the time to learn basic clothing repairs. There is no reason to throw away a perfectly beautiful, flattering, well loved blouse just because you are missing a button.

Dingy or stained? Learn better ways to launder your clothes to keep them bright and white longer. I love hydrogen peroxide and a little lemon oil in place of bleach.

And, when something is too stained to clean, consider shibori or another natural dye. Make something old new again!

Find a good cobbler, and keep your shoes looking great. Simple repairs like heel taps and re-soling will keep your shoes in good shape for years (maybe decades!).

4. Regift

Not in a cheap, cheesy kind of way. And not in a dishonest way. In a “hey, I bought this dress, I’ve only worn it around my house, it doesn’t work for me, I think it will look better on you,” sort of way.

We all (or at least most of us) have been guilty of this. We bought something that was at such a deep discount, that we just couldn’t resist. It wasn’t quite right. Maybe it was a little too tight in the hips (“but I’ll lose those five pounds and it will be perfect…”), or too big in the waist, or not quite the right color, or, or, or … I think you know what I mean. And then, it sits. You try it on a few more times, hoping this time it is somehow perfect. It almost never is (I have lost those five pounds maybe once or twice, but it isn’t in my best interest to bank on this).

Do you have a friend who might love it? If so, regift.

I was given an amazing sweatshirt dress a few years ago that a friend had worn only to keep trying it on. I wore it several times a week during my postpartum months. I have passed on several too small dresses, and have seen friends in other friends jeans more times to count. Give your items a new life by giving them to someone who will love and wear them.

5. Remake

 

In the same token as above, I have found myself buying a vintage dress with an amazing pattern or a had something almost new become dated in its cut. Still absolutely in love with the print? Remake it. Get to know and trust a local tailor and turn your older clothes into something wearable.

If something is ripped, stained, faded, etc. beyond repair, determine if there are parts that you can salvage and give it a second life by turning it into something else, a pillow, a satchel, your zero waste produce bag. Get a little creative and you will be surprised at how many things can have a new life. You are keeping your old clothing out of a landfill, preventing something new from being consumed, and saving money!

Need some inspiration? Head on over to Pinterest (obviously) for more ideas than you could possibly handle.

6. Reinvent

Get creative and shop your closet. I know that I find that I often wear the same things together. After tidying up, I found a few new outfits. Shopping your closet to complete a look, rather than buying something new is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint as well as save a little money. Spend a little time rethinking what you own and “shopping” your own closet. You might be surprised at what you find. I was!

 

Bonus R: Recycle

Only .1% of our clothing trash is recycled, which is why it didn’t make the list of the 6 Rs of eco-friendly fashion. It is currently not all that easy to recycle, nor is it available to all of us. However, take a look here to see if you have a clothing recycle center near you.

Are we missing anything? What are your tips to an eco-friendly fashion? Do you have any creative ways you have repurposed or remade your clothes? I would love to see it!