Wear the latest trends and care about the environment? Not always easy for fashion lovers. These are the best fair fashion tips.
If you have a passion for fashion and the latest trends, you should live them out consciously, sustainably and carefully. This is not always easy, because high-quality and environmentally friendly materials also have their price. Charlotte Schüler, blogger, influencer and author of “My sustainable wardrobe” (Südwest Verlag), also emphasized in an interview with the news agency spot on news: “Sustainable fashion does not always have to be expensive.” These are her insider tips when it comes to fair fashion.
Why is a sustainable approach to fashion so important?
Charlotte Schüler: Fast fashion brands value fast pace. Some fashion houses bring out up to 24 collections a year. With the purchase of these products we harm our planet, among other things through the use of sometimes toxic chemicals that are used in production. But also through the wasteful use of valuable resources such as fresh water. We also support the degrading working conditions in textile factories.
Fashion lovers sometimes lack the wherewithal to buy sustainable fashion items. How can we save?
Students: Sustainable fashion does not always have to be expensive or the latest fair fashion. Because the most sustainable fashion is second-hand fashion anyway. Buying sustainable clothing only partly decides whether your own wardrobe is really environmentally friendly or not. The decisive point is how long the respective garments are worn. A long service life is supported by the right care and small repairs, if necessary. But if you have the wherewithal, it is worth investing in high-quality fair fashion. Because this way you even save a lot of money over time, since the pieces will last longer and no money has to be invested in something new.
What are your insider tips for second-hand shopping?
Student: I check in the store to see if a garment has stains or other fixable defects, such as a missing button. Then I weigh up whether I still want to buy it and whether it’s worth the extra effort to have a new favorite piece of clothing afterwards. I also check the labels to see what materials the fabric is made of. With some fabrics you can immediately feel the condition of the material and whether the quality is good. In addition, it is always worth taking a look at the typical “problem areas” in order to be able to assess whether the piece will last for a long time or whether, for example, jeans will rub through the inner thighs the next time you wear them.
In your book you also write about capsule wardrobes, which are all the rage right now. What is this exactly?
Pupils: A capsule wardrobe made up of around 30-35 parts that can all be combined with one another if possible. Most of them are basics and accents are set with just a few pieces. It doesn’t always have to be the classic “black, grey, beige” look, I’ve currently opted for many pastel tones. Before you decide on certain items, you should first analyze what your everyday life looks like and what you need to wear. It’s no good if you need a lot of business outfits but your wardrobe only consists of home wear and casual looks.
How is Capsule-Wardrobe sustainable?
Student: A capsule wardrobe reduces you to parts that are actually worn. So the general consumption decreases and he becomes more conscious. In addition, the focus is on the fact that everything can be combined with one another as far as possible. This is how you manage to keep the number of items of clothing clear and still have a large selection of different outfits. The fewer items of clothing that end up as “closet corpses” or ultimately even in the garbage, the more resources are saved.
What makes the minimalist wardrobe so popular?
Pupil: The feeling of having nothing to wear even though the closet is full no longer exists. The wardrobe is clearly filled with favorite items that can be easily combined to create stylish looks and that make you feel good. This avoids a lot of frustration and brings joy back to trying out new looks and combinations.
What are your favorite fashion upcycling ideas?
Student: I always make new hair or household ties out of old tights or socks. For this, the legs are cut into strips and a lot of new rubber has already been created. Stains and holes can be covered up with cute embroidery and you immediately have a nice eye-catcher.
Spring is slowly knocking on the door. What clothes can we unpack now that will never go out of style?
Student: Onion look garments can be worn almost all year round. I will definitely get my clothes out again and make them spring-ready with blouses and oversized blazers.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
