I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where things really come from — not just the store, but the raw materials behind everything we use. Everything starts from raw materials and is grown and/or processed in a way that leaves an environmental impact. Everything has a cycle and is thrown away when people don’t want it anymore.

Fast fashion is a major contributor to textile waste. People in the U.S. alone throw out more than 34 billion pounds of textiles every year ¹. That’s a staggering amount of labor, water, and resources wasted. Crazy. On top of that, about 69% of clothing today is made from synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic ². While synthetics can offer benefits like durability, they often come at a cost (not to the manufacturer so much as the planet). These materials are derived from non-renewable resources (fossil fuels) and take hundreds of years to decompose. To make it worse, washing plastic-based clothing (like polyester, nylon, and acrylic) sheds about half a million tons of plastic microfibers into the oceans annually ³.

So, what can we do about it? Here are three actionable ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable:

1. Buy Clothes Made of Mostly Natural Fibers

While synthetic blends have their place, focusing on natural fibers can significantly reduce your environmental impact.

Here are some great options:

• Wool: This one is my favorite. Wool comes from animals like sheep, llamas, alpacas, and even bunnies (labeled as angora). It’s antimicrobial, quick-drying, and temperature-regulating. Some people find wool itchy, but certain types (like merino) are thin and fine, making them comfortable against the skin. Just make sure it’s sustainably sourced, as wool production involves animals.
• Cotton: This one is the fiber you might be most familiar with. Soft, breathable, and durable, cotton is a versatile natural fiber. Opt for organic cotton, which is grown without harmful pesticides, to reduce water and chemical usage.
• Hemp: This one is a little harder to find, but so worth it! Made from the hemp plant’s stalks, this fiber is incredibly sustainable. It requires minimal water, enriches the soil, and produces strong, breathable fabric. The fabric is durable, breathable, and resistant to UV rays. Though it can feel stiff at first, hemp softens with wear and washing. (Pro tip: I’m using a hemp shower liner instead of a plastic one, and I love it! Dries fast and doesn’t contribute to microplastics.)
• Linen: Derived from flax plants, linen is lightweight, durable, breathable, and perfect for warm weather. It uses less water and fewer pesticides than cotton and gets softer over time. Just be prepared for its wrinkled look!
• Silk: Lightweight, luxurious, and smooth, silk regulates temperature beautifully. It’s also excellent at regulating temperature, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. Traditional silk production does involve harvesting cocoons, which isn’t always ideal, so folks can look to alternatives such as peace silk or ahimsa silk, which are made without harming silkworms.

2. Thrift, Thrift, Thrift!

Secondhand shopping breathes new life into clothing and keeps it out of landfills. You can give your wardrobe a refresh with online platforms like Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and Mercari. These make it easy to find high-quality secondhand pieces. And don’t forget to search your local thrift stores for treasures too!

The cool thing about this is that it also works the other way—you can use online platforms or local consignment shops to sell your pre-loved clothes to make some money!

3. Recycle Clothes That Are Beyond Repair

When your clothes truly have no life left, recycling can be a good option. Instead of ending up in a landfill, your old clothes can be turned into something new. This is part of the growing circular fashion movement, which focuses on reusing materials over and over instead of throwing them away. By recycling, you’re keeping materials in use and reducing the demand for new raw resources.

Here are a few recycling programs you might find interesting:

• Marine Layer’s Re-Spun Program: Marine Layer will take your old clothes (any brand) and even towels! They divert these clothes from landfills and re-spin them into new items. The “Take Back Bags” cost $20, but you’ll get a $40 credit on future orders.

• Universal Standard: Similar to Marine Layer, Universal Standard will also accept recycled clothes to give them new life. You can order a pre-labeled recycling bag ($4.50) and get a $25 credit for each piece you send in (up to $100, so four items).

• Blue Jeans Go Green: Have some jeans with too many holes? Blue Jeans Go Green will take your old denim! You can find a drop-off location on their website or mail in recyclable denim.

• Subset: This one might sound a little gross, but Subset will recycle your underwear. You send them your old underwear (any brand, any condition) and get 20% off future orders. These garments often contain elastane to keeps them close to the body, so it’s important to keep them out of landfills!

• HankyPanky: HankyPanky will accept old underwear, bras, and socks for recycling. You do have to sign up for their rewards program, but it’s still a good alternative to tossing these items in the trash.

Alternatively, you can repurpose old clothes at home—cut them up for cleaning rags or upcycle them into something new altogether! Upcycling is a great way to embrace circular fashion, turning old things into something fresh and functional.

Final Thoughts

Recognizing how fashion affects the planet is a great first step. By making thoughtful choices like investing in natural fibers, shopping secondhand, and recycling, you can reduce your footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Do you have any go-to tips for a more sustainable wardrobe? I’d love to hear them—share a comment below!

Here are my references!

1. The Aftermath of Fast Fashion, Boston University[↩]
2. Circular Economy and Sustainability of the Clothing and Textile Industry, Materials Circular Economy[↩]
3. Polyester, The Council of Fashion Designers of America[↩]