Tips to make better fashion choices in 2023

When I decided to start creating changes in my wardrobe, my only purpose was to feel that I was contributing to reduce my fashion carbon footprint. However, during the following years, I learned so much about making better and more responsible fashion choices that lead me to rethink my purpose. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says that “every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become”, and this quote really helped me to think about what I wanted to accomplish and become this year 2023. Reducing is still a goal in my life, but also the improvement of my relationship with my finances. What I want to become is a responsible and conscious consumer. Since I moved to Europe, I have been adapting my closet and shopping clothes for the seasons. And during the last semester of 2022, I noticed how 20% of my expenses were related to shopping clothes. That’s why one of the actions I decided to take this year is choose to reduce and practice a sustainable profitability.

It is a fact that global textiles production almost doubled between 2000 and 2015, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. But the truth is that we don’t wear all the clothes we buy and the trend of using garments for even shorter periods before throwing them away contribute to the most unsustainable patterns of overproduction and overconsumption (Europe Comission). So, money, human and natural resources are being wasted with a negative impact on our future. But, how can I reverse this trend from my personal closet?

1. Knowing my style will help me to connect and have a better relationship with my clothes. Wearing clothes that speak who you are and express what you value and love is the best way to avoid discarding clothes that don’t suit you.

2. Shop my closet first before going out to shop more clothes that maybe I won’t wear. This will help me to save money and to increase the lifespan of my wardrobe. Reducing not only the amount of money I spend in clothes, but also the impact that my fashion choices have on the planet.

3. Create inspirational boards in social media to find ideas and mix and match my closet. Spending time playing with your wardrobe is a good way to keep your mind busy, boost your creativity and have fun with yourself. Personally, this is a good way to distract myself when I need to clear my mind.

4. Clean your closet and make a garage sale is a good way to make money and avoid discarding clothes that can be worn by someone else.

5. Shop wisely and only if it is need it. Avoid as much as you can shopping for new things, but mostly, avoid shopping as an emotional solution. The amount of money we spend shopping new clothes constantly could be reduce if we make better fashion choices. Spending money in 15 pieces of a fast fashion brand that don’t have the same quality or length than one piece made in an ethical and responsible way with quality materials will save you money in the future. And also, will reduce the environmental and social impact during the production of the garment.

According to the State of Fashion 2023, consumer’s behavior this year will depend on household’s incomes and eco designs. The current war in Ukraine triggered troublesome inflations and an energy crisis that is influencing the fashion industry, its sales and growth. Therefore, it’s a great opportunity as a consumers to create new fashion habits. Making better and more responsible choices with our wardrobes will save money and improve our finances, reduce our fashion carbon footprint, and turn the social activism in the fashion industry as a statement in our styles.