Sustainable style: Here's how you can adopt eco-conscious fashion practices

Do you feel the urge to buy new clothes every time you are going on vacation or have an important event coming up Have you ever been through the lsquoI have nothing to wearrsquo phase despite having too many clothes Are you an avid shopperWell buying too many clothes often is not only leading to overconsumption but is also harming the environmentThe fast fashion industry is one of the leading contributors of waste on the planet Additionally according to the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP the fashion and textile sector accounts for 28 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and 9 per cent of microplastic pollution which reaches the oceans annually The industry also consumes approximately 215 trillion litres of water which is equivalent to 86 million Olympicsized swimming pools according to UNEPGiven its huge impact on the environment the fashion sector has been experiencing a wave of switching to sustainable practices although that is just the tip of the iceberg and therersquos a long way to go But sustainability shouldnrsquot just end with the production process As consumers therersquos a lot we can do to reduce textile waste and work towards minimising fashionrsquos contribution in harming the planetHighlighting the importance of incorporating sustainable fashion practices on an individual level Ankita Srivastava a sustainable fashion consultant and founder of the sustainable fashion brand Little Things Studio says ldquoIrsquove learned that true sustainability doesnrsquot end at production it continues in the hands of the wearer No matter how thoughtfully we design if a product is discarded too soon or consumed mindlessly the cycle of waste continuesrdquoTo embody sustainability at the consumer level there needs to be a shift in mindset from treating clothes as disposable trends to appreciating them as longterm companionsAnkita adds ldquoCompassion for the planet and people begins with us as consumers In many countries the trend of disposing garments has been like a second nature but we need to ask ourselves before any purchase Will I wear this 30 times Can I care for it repair it pass it onrdquoTips to build sustainable wardrobeSustainable fashion isnrsquot just about buying less clothes Its scope extends far beyond that and only when people truly reflect on their relationship with fashion can they take steps towards meaningful changeAkanksha Kaila Akashi who is the founder of Refash a platform for upcycled fashion agrees Recommending practical steps to be more sustainable in onersquos approach towards fashion she says ldquoVisit a local tailor minor alterations or customisations can dramatically extend the life of your clothes and make them feel more personal Additionally adopt the lsquoOne in one outrsquo rule to keep your wardrobe in active circulation For every new item donate one and swap another within your network Joining or creating a hyperlocal swap circle can connect you with likeminded people while reducing your environmental footprintrdquoSuggesting some fun ways and activities to be sustainably stylish she says ldquoLearn a few simple repair tricks like sewing a button or fixing a hem yoursquod be surprised how many clothes are discarded over the tiniest flaws Redye faded items crop old jeans or add patches to worn out pieces to give them new life as a fun weekend activity Host a style swap day with friends to restyle each otherrsquos wardrobes without spending a rupeerdquoTherersquos no onesizefitsall formula for ecoconscious fashion and not everyone can bring drastic changes at one go However small steps can help one be more mindful about their purchasesBesides rewearing repairing and restyling what you already own Ankita suggests the following ways to incorporate sustainability by shopping more mindfully1 Shop intentionally not impulsively Buy only what you love and will use often2 Learn to read labels Choose natural or lowimpact materials over synthetics like polyester Ask your favourite brand for transparency of supply chain Turn on your Sherlock mode to become more aware of their practices3 Support brands that are transparent about their materials waste labour and valuesHow to upcycle clothesUpcycling and repurposing old clothes is one of the smartest ways to build a more ecoconscious wardrobe It not only prevents textile waste but also helps create innovative pieces for your wardrobe and other purposesOne can upcycle old clothes into creative outfits and accessories though cutting and stitching Representational ImagePexelsUpcycling might seem like a challenging task but there are fun and creative ways to implement it provided you know some basics like stitching Confused about where to begin Akanksha suggests the following ideas1 Instead of discarding stained clothes turn them into plantdyed pieces Create home kits using turmeric madder root hibiscus and coffee to cover stains and reimagine basics2 Cut bright printed dupattas into long thin strips double stitch them and turn them into statement shoelaces Pair them with neutral sneakers to add colour to everyday outfits3 Use outgrown childrenrsquos clothing to create colourful patchwork quilts or play mats4 Use leftover fabric scraps shredded finely as stuffing for handmade toys or cushions5 Wrap books with printed shirt fabric for personalised washable covers that protect old or damaged books6 Cut fabric strips from old tshirts jeans and sweaters and braid and sew them into durable colourful rugs or matsOne can also upcycle clothes into other apparel items like torn jeans into shorts or a fullsleeved top into a tank top with some adjustmentsCreating a capsule wardrobeBesides upcycling another way to reduce overconsumption and be creative in your style with limited clothing pieces is to create a capsule wardrobe It embodies a minimalist approach towards fashion wherein one can curate a collection of clothes and accessories that can be mixed and matched and styled in multiple ways to create different outfitsIt is not only an environmentally conscious approach but also reduces decision fatigue ie the difficulty in deciding on what to wearA capsule wardrobe has a few pieces that can be styled in different ways to create several looks Representational ImagePexelsAnkita recommends the following tips to curate an interesting capsule wardrobe1 Define your lifestyle first Choose pieces that suit how you live not just how you want to look2 Focus on versatile silhouettes and classic pieces that can be styled in multiple ways across seasons3 Stick to a cohesive colour palette that suits your personality and makes mixing and matching effortless4 Prioritise quality over quantity Fewer bettermade garments last longer and feel better5 Include statement or artisan pieces that add individuality and connectionldquoMake room for repeatwearing Repeating isnrsquot a fashion faux pas itrsquos a sustainable superpower A capsule wardrobe isnrsquot about owning less Itrsquos about owning with purposerdquo she remarks