5 Simple Ways to Make Your Fashion Habits More Sustainable

The first step in practicing more sustainable consumption is to educate yourself. Investigate the company's production practices, look for where the clothes are made, and whether they're handmade. Consider the article's fabrication. Is it made of responsible materials like linen, hemp, or organic cotton or wool? Reading a company's "About" page before you shop can give you better insight into just how eco-friendly its practices are and how committed it is to change.

When we asked IMG model Maye Musk the biggest piece of fashion advice she'd give to her younger self, she told us "buy fewer things but better quality." This should be a tenet in any fashion girl's rulebook—not only does it ensure you'll have a more curated closet, but it also lowers your negative impact on the earth. As much as possible, avoid fast-fashion purchases or giving into fleeting trends. Make sure you love every piece you purchase with the intention of wearing it several times or keeping it around for uses years down the road.

An easy and fun way to lower your impact is to buy secondhand. Not only will thrift and vintage shopping bring unique, one-of-a-kind pieces into your wardrobe but you'll also be consuming outside of the fashion cycle. Giving these pre-loved clothes a new home gives them new life and extends their purpose.

Even the savviest fashion girls can have a difficult time reducing their consumption to what's really necessary. With so many beautiful new pieces on the market each season, it's tempting to want it all. However, even the pieces we get most excited about aren't always used to their full potential once we bring them home. Constantly audit your closet to see what you really need and avoid stocking up on pieces that don't serve a purpose or are redundant with perfectly good items you already own.

As you do your research, you'll discover which brands are committed to adopting eco-friendly practices at every step of the production process. When you shop, be sure to prioritize these brands first. Shop some of our favorite eco-friendly brands below.

Edun

The brand's mission has been devoted to sustainable practices since its inception. Edun focuses on building long-term, sustainable growth opportunities in Africa by supporting manufacturers, community-based initiatives, and partnering with African artists and artisans.

Reformation

The brand that calls itself the number two most sustainable option (after being naked) is committed to earth-friendly practices 365 days a year. This Earth Day, it's celebrating with a tour of its own sustainable factory in Los Angeles. If you can't make it, you can watch on Facebook live or catch another on the first Friday of every month.

Check out more eco-friendly items we're loving for spring.

Kowtow Clothing

The New Zealand–based brand's line of minimalist-leaning, elevated basics is covetable in and of itself. Learning that every garment is made from fair trade–certified organic cotton and the most sustainable and ethically sourced materials is just the icing on the cake.

Filippa K

The brand uses what it calls Front Runners, which are garments that go through every stage of the life cycle. The brand doesn't dye its garments and it only uses recycled wool, sewing thread, zippers, and buttons. We could go on, but we think you get the idea. On top of that, Filippa K openly shares its goal of making the entire line sustainable by 2030.

Outdoor Voices

This clothing brand is at the helm of moving activewear in a more sustainable direction—using reusable shopping totes in stores, streamlined product planning that avoids excess and waste, and high-quality gear to last you through more workout sessions and keep pieces out of landfills. Its new Fleet jacket is made from 100% recycled bottles. To celebrate Earth Day, 20% of all sales will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. The brand is also selling a limited-edition T-shirt featuring an illustration by Parisian artist Ines Longevial, "A Hug as Big as Earth," from which 100% of proceeds go to WWF.

This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated by Anna LaPlaca.