This post first appeared in the LexZeroWaste October Newsletter

Start by asking some questions before you purchase:

• Do you really need it? Before you react and make an impulse purchase, ask yourself: Do you already have something like it in your wardrobe? A similar design? Color? Do you wear that item often?  Could you make alterations (i.e., change the hemline, neckline, dye it another color) so that you would wear the item more often?
• Choose Sustainable Materials: Inspect garment labels. Choose  fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, silk, wool, alpaca, or hemp. They’re gentler on the environment than regular cotton and synthetic fibers. These fabrics tend to last longer when properly cared for.
• Repurpose and Upcycle: Get creative with your older textiles. Turn those worn-out t-shirts into cleaning rags or use fabric scraps for quilting and crafting projects.
• Buy Less, Choose Well: Adopt a minimalist fashion mindset. Invest in high-quality clothing that last longer to reduce the need for constant replacements. There are also clothing rental options for events.
• Become Familiar with Some Useful Certifications: Knowing your way around textile certifications can be useful: GOTS , OEKO-TEX,  BCI are a few.

There are many other materials and fair-trade certifications — click this link to see more that I have posted to my website — and be aware that while certifications help with fashion/textile accountability, they’re not the ultimate solution for sustainability. Remember that we need enforced ethical standards and legislation in fashion, beyond optional certifications.