Less clothes but better
When you need new clothes, the first thing to ask yourself is what exactly you need them for. If the purpose is to wear such clothing for an occasion only, such as a dress for a specific event, try renting it or even borrowing it from a good friend. Remember, buying less is simply best and will help reduce your environmental footprint.
In case you need this garment to complete your capsule wardrobe because you are really going to wear it regularly, try thrifting. Second-hand stores are full of clothes in perfect condition, often even unused, to which we can give a second chance at a more than reasonable price. You can also go for sustainable brands that are ethically manufactured. When shopping, do so with intention rather than impulsively.
In any case, when you get a new piece of cloth that you really like and was made to last you are making a right investment in the long term because it will last a prolonged time in good condition and you will not easily get tired of it.
But how do you recognize a high-quality item? What requirements must a garment meet to make the cut? Often times the brand tag says a lot about its quality, but be careful, this is also a double-edged sword. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Color and texture: This is not a representative aspect of good quality, but sight is the first sense that comes into play when we need to find something. It is a mechanism to quickly detect what you like and discard what you don't, without hardly having to look at the entire garment. This is obviously a matter of taste. You must choose what you like, and what suits you. In my case, neutral, discreet, combinable colors, with an interesting texture, matt while discarding the very bright ones and large prints.
Design: When you find something whose color and touch can meet the requirements of what you are looking for, then analyze its design. Ideally, opt for a timeless look and versatile design, neutral pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. The simpler, less pattern, and more relaxed, the longer it might last in your closet. To be comfortable and functional, you must prioritize cuts that flatter and enhance your figure.
Composition: This is key for the garment in question to pass the test or be swiftly discarded. This aspect is the one that will offer us the most objective information to intuit how this clothing will evolve. We usually guess the composition of a garment visually, by touching it, but it is necessary to confirm with the inner label to see what fibers that piece is made of.
I personally choose natural fabrics —cotton, linen, silk and wool— that are made of animal and plant-based fibers, for being the most sustainable, biodegradable and skin-friendly option. They have a high absorbency and are very durable. Natural materials naturally break in, so they become more comfortable with wear, and usually look better with time.
Synthetic fabrics —rayon, acetates, polyester, acrylic— are cheaper man-made alternatives to natural ones and are produced entirely from chemicals like petroleum. Although they are known for their greater durability and cheaper manufacture, they require a complex processing procedure.
All fabric manufacturing processes are harmful to a greater or lesser extent for the environment (even in cases of ecological, fair and ethical trade) but, as a general rule, natural fabrics are more sustainable. The most ethical option would be to never buy anything new but second hand.
There are certain garments that are of such low quality that their defects can already be detected in the store itself, are deformed on the hanger, have pilling or whose fabric is a dust magnet. Be very critical before removing it from the hanger.
Seams: This is also essential when it comes to knowing how the garment was made. Look at how it was sewn, how strong the stitch is, how it is finished, if the seam is not less than one cm (the usual in industrial cuts) and 3-4 cm of hem to see if it allows modifications, if there is lining, how the label is placed.
Details: Buttons give many clues to the quality of the garment. What material they are made of, if a replacement is included, how they are sewn ... Today it is difficult to see, but in quality clothes, buttons can be the most expensive part of a garment. Similar for zippers, it is necessary to analyze what material it is made of, how was sewn, what brand it is (being YKK the queen of zippers).
Country of origin: Each country has different regulations, but in general, clothing labels need to reveal the country where it was made. Garments are often designed in one country, manufactured in a different one, with fabric from a third party, and finished (buttons and labels) in a fourth. This can be confusing as only one needs to be specified on the label. A garment with Belgian linen, made in China, may say "made in Italy" if it was labeled there. In any case there are certain countries where the quality of clothing is better than others.
We can all limit our negative impact on this planet if we put our minds to it. We just need to appreciate and love what we already have, buy only when necessary and do it intentionally. Do you have any other tips you want to share?