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What is the “circular fashion industry,” and why is it one of the hottest topics in fashion right now?
Breaking it down to the basics, the idea behind the circular fashion industry is a concept that we’re all familiar with by now — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Circular fashion applies these principles to fashion and one’s wardrobe. With sustainability being at the forefront of the fashion industry and a big buzzword on everyone’s mind, this idea of circularity is key to eliminating waste and pollution to the environment.
Did you know the fashion industry alone produces 13 million tons of textile waste every year? Statistically, the average consumer throws away 70 pounds of clothes each year. This makes the fashion industry one of the biggest polluters and the second largest consumer of water. When we throw clothes away they’re almost never broken down because most of the garments we own aren’t of natural origin. This means that your cotton shirt probably also contains synthetic fibers that make it almost impossible to break all the way down once going to the landfill.
Before you start to panic, we aren’t telling you to stop shopping and wear the same clothes for the rest of your life. You can still have a circular wardrobe and stay chic at the same time — here’s how.
How Can I Have a Circular Wardrobe?
Staple pieces are important in a circular wardrobe because they’ll be your go-to, ride-or-die layering pieces. These are pieces that will never go out of style that you can adapt to every trend you want. Investing in these pieces now will save you money in the long run, as you can say goodbye to buying new pieces every season!
Seasonless pieces are another key essential in a circular wardrobe. They’ll be pieces you can wear year-round, whether you’re layering them in colder weather or styling them solo in the summer. Remember that an essential part of creating the perfect wardrobe is investing in pieces that will last. We put together key pieces to invest in and build your seasonless, circular wardrobe.
Plain T-Shirts & Tanks
Plain T-shirts and tanks are amazing because you can layer them or wear them alone. These will never go out of style:
Versatile Blouses
Versatile blouses are something you can dress up or down — they can be great for going to lunch with the gals or an important meeting. Patterns or an interesting neckline are things to look out for when shopping for these, as they add personality. Plus, if you need to layer with a jacket, you can still have a cute and unique outfit.
Day-to-Night Dresses
Day-to-Night dresses are always a great option.You can wear these during the day with sneakers and a jacket for a more casual look. For your evening transformation, try adding a belt and a heel for a more upscale look.
Leather Jacket
Leather jackets are a staple that will never go out of style. You can pair them with almost anything to make your outfit super chic. When taken care of correctly, leather will last you a lifetime, so this is a piece definitely worth investing in.
Blazer (Neutral & Statement)
Blazers are another great outerwear staple that will never go out of style. They can easily dress an outfit up, even if it’s just jeans and a tank top!
Denim (Dark & Light)
We truly believe that everyone should have an amazing piece of denim in their closet (or multiple). Denim has always been and will forever be a closet staple.
Sneakers
Comfy and casual, a good pair of sneakers is a must-have for every wardrobe. We’ve already written about our favorite white sneakers and Cariuma sneakers, so head over there to get your sneaker staples or shop a few of our picks below.
Heels (Nude & Black)
For heels, we recommend having a pointed toe and an open-toe heel on hand. For color, you guessed it, neutrals are always key. Having a nude shoe and a black shoe is best — they’ll always be perfect for any occasion and are an easy go-to.
Buying Secondhand
Buying secondhand doesn’t always have to mean searching through your local Goodwill for hours for a hidden treasure. There are so many online thrift stores now that make it super easy to find just what you’re looking for with one search. Buying secondhand extends the lifespan of clothes so they don’t end up in a landfill just yet. Feeling tired of your own clothes? Selling is always an option, and the sites below make it so easy for you to make a profit on clothes that aren’t ready to be donated just yet.
– thredUP
– Tradesy
– Grailed
Renting Items or Subscription Rental Boxes
Subscription rental boxes are amazing because each month you get to try new clothes, new trends, and new brands you might not have before. Subscription rental boxes have let me be more bold in my wardrobe. I can rent things I might not have gone out on a limb and bought, because I know I don’t have to commit to owning it.
You can also rent outfits for one-off events. Say you have a wedding, a birthday brunch, and a family BBQ all in the same month — you can rent all of your looks from one place for a lower price than it would cost to buy. I was hesitant at first to rent clothes other people had worn, but most of these services have detailed pages on how they clean and sanitize each garment. Rental services aren’t just for clothes — you can also rent accessories like jewelry and bags. We listed some below that are worth looking into!
– Nuuly
– Vivrelle
How are you participating in circular fashion? Let us know in the comments!
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