How I've been building self confidence

3 easy ways to have a more sustainable wardrobe

October 5, 2022

Photo by Vie Studio via Pexels

As I’ve been trying to build a more sustainable wardrobe and generally be more mindful in the way I consume, I’ve come to realise it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it may seem sometimes, that it is completely okay to take it step by step, and most importantly, that it aligns perfectly with the principles of Islam Subhan’Allah. Let’s see what I’m talking about and discover three easy ways to start making your wardrobe more sustainable.

Before we start…

It is essential to understand that being sustainable goes hand in hand with being Muslim. See, from an islamic point of view, owning too much of something is questionnable: if you were given something in abundance, it is so you can help those in need, not just accumulate or even worse, show off. The more you have, the more you want and are attached to this worldly life but also, are less mindful about the beautiful planet Allah (swt) has created and asked us to protect.

Sustainability isn’t just about preserving the environment: it is also about being fair to people, standing for justice and fight against corruption. How can that align with buying from brands which exploit people and treat them as if they weren’t human beings anymore? It simply can’t and we need to stop being in denial or being fatalistic about these things. A small action is better than no action at all and it starts with living by our principles in every aspect of our lives, even when it makes us uncomfortable or feel like it’s not worth it.

"Eat and drink from the provision of Allah , and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."
[2:60]

1. Take care of your clothes

Although you should avoid fast fashion as much as you can (I’ll dive into this topic a little deeper in another post insha’Allah), you might not have the budget to invest in higher quality and more sustainable pieces. However, you can still keep your pieces for many years if you really take care of them: read the washing instruction carefully, store properly, sew back if there are holes, be gentle when putting them on/taking them off/folding them…

2. Buy staple, timeless pieces

This does not mean you have to only wear black and beige super minimalist outfits if that’s not your vibe: the idea is just to shop mindfully, ask yourself questions like “do i really need this? Will I still love it next year? In two years? Is it versatile enough so I can make multiple outfits with it?”. Another way to adopt that mindset is to think in terms of cost per wear instead of initial cost: you’ll come to realize that buying lower quality, cheap items ends up being more expensive on the long run as you’ll keep replacing them.

3. Get your clothes second hand

This one is my personal favorite! You don’t necessarily have to go to thrift stores if you don’t like them (I know I’m personally not a huge fan as it doesn’t really fit my personal style): use apps like Vestiaire Collective, Vinted, depop or even just ask your friends and family to swap/check if they’re clearing their closet out. Reusing and upcycling are great ways to give another life to an item that is still very much usable and avoid more unnecessary waste. Plus it is super budget friendly: what else would you want?!

"And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered."
[6:38]