If you want to flip your fashion life to a more eco-conscious and sustainable one, then building a trans-seasonal wardrobe can be one of the ways to do so. Not only can you save space in your closet and dial down your fashion spending, but you also get to help save Mother Earth.
What’s more, you can invite others to join you in abandoning fast fashion by purchasing gift vouchers from online shops that espouse ethical and sustainable manners. Below, we have enumerated more ways to get on the Earth-friendly fashion wagon, so read on.
Trans-Seasonal Is Sensational
One of the best ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle is to shift to buying trans-seasonal clothing. This means buying clothes that you can wear for a few seasons or even year-round.
Doing so is not only being financially savvy, but it is also an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buying fewer clothes is better for the environment since the fashion industry produces 10 percent of humanity’s carbon footprint. On top of that, the fashion world is also the second-largest consumer of the Earth’s water supply.
For over 20 years, clothing production has doubled. Fashion lines used to come out with new designs for spring, summer, winter, and fall. However, a lot of clothing companies have increased production and given way to micro seasons. This trend led to more clothes being produced – often in enormous quantities but made with subpar quality.
Thankfully, the awareness about ethical, sustainable and gothic-clothing fashion is growing. More and more people are switching to capsule wardrobes and trans-seasonal clothing (such as the pieces from the Scarlett Poppies Sunstone collection).
If you also want to do your bit in helping save the environment through your fashion choices, then here are some tips that might help.
1. Organize and Minimize
The first thing you do when you want to build a trans-seasonal wardrobe is to weed out your closet. Take out all your clothes, footwear, and accessories and conduct a thorough review. Check which ones you still would love to wear and let go of the ones that no longer fit or you don’t see yourself ever wearing again.
To make the process easier, segregate your clothing items into three groups:
- Items to donate or give away
- The Items to be recycled
- Items to hold on to
You’d be surprised at how organizing your closet can lead to opening more room for what is essential. Try to pare down your wardrobe to the basics and see if there are pieces you can mix and match.
2. Explore Pre-loved Items
The basic concept of building a trans-seasonal wardrobe is to minimize the number of clothes you buy, so you don’t add up to the 85% of textiles that end up in landfills or the 500,000 tons of microfibers dumped in the ocean each year.
To avoid buying new things like bags, another option is to go for designer bag exchange programs. There are credible online pre-loved stores that allow you to swap your bags with another one you like. It’s a win-win situation since you get to let go of items that you no longer desire or need and get something that you love in return.
3. Layer, Layer, Layer
You can still be fashionable and chic using what remains in your closet. The trick is to experiment with layering styles to fit the season. For example, you can wear a black jumpsuit with vintage-inspired broderie Anglaise ruffles and then wear an embroidered indoor jacket over it. It’s a versatile ensemble that can be worn in casual or semi-formal settings.
Another idea for layering clothes is to invest in a belted waistcoat with hand-embellished borders. This is an example of a well-made product that can complement almost every outfit. From pairing it with a tank top and high-waisted shorts to wearing it over a chiffon backless maxi dress, it’s an investment piece that you won’t ever regret getting.
By layering your clothes, you can simply put on or take off clothing pieces depending on what the weather is like.
4. Play with Textures
Building a trans-seasonal wardrobe also requires a dash of creativity. Aside from layering, you can also play with different textures to create a new look. Using basic pieces from your collection, you can look for textures that go well together.
For example, pair a sheer chiffon top with intricate Indian-inspired embroidery with plain linen shorts. For cooler months, you can also don a flowy kimono made of semi-transparent fabric patches and accentuated with embroidery and delicate lace over an asymmetrical-hem satin strap dress.
5. Invest in Quality Clothing
One of the most sensible steps to take when building a trans-seasonal wardrobe is to invest in quality clothing. In contrast to fast fashion, clothes made of fine material and that display excellent craftsmanship will last longer. You won’t need to replenish your clothes continually.
Investing in timeless pieces will also allow you to enjoy tried-and-tested looks and help you establish a signature style.
Fashionable and Responsible
Building a trans-seasonal wardrobe is a sustainable lifestyle choice that is good for you and the planet. By choosing to buy elegant pieces that transcend seasons, you can maximize your spending, help take care of the environment, and present character with style and substance.
