Sustainable Fashion For Dummies

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Opening the Door To Sustainable Fashion

Chapter 1: Closet, Meet Sustainable Fashion

Understanding Sustainability

Preserving our planet and preventing climate change

Treating people with dignity and respect

Calling Out the Problem with Today’s Fashion Industry

The rise of fast fashion

A three-legged monster

Being Part of the Solution and Avoiding Eco-Anxiety

Taking Action: What You Can Do to Increase Sustainability

Chapter 2: Starting with the Clothes You Already Own

Taking Stock of Your Closet

Auditing your closet

Organizing your closet

Unlocking the Wow Factor in Clothes You Already Own

Knowing the color wheel

Mixing prints and patterns

Accessorizing for a different look

Using styling apps

Working with Outfit Formulas

Defining outfit formulas

Plugging in outfit formulas

Chapter 3: Adios, Fast Fashion

Identifying the Real Cost of Fast Fashion

Looking at the fast-fashion business model

Costing more than you may think

Taking a toll on garment workers

Adversely affecting the environment

Spotting Fast Fashion

Identifying popular fast-fashion brands

Spotting telltale signs that a brand is fast fashion

Moving Away from Fast Fashion and Toward Sustainability

Confronting Greenwashing

Taking a peek at sustainability

Spotting greenwashing

Chapter 4: Shifting to a Sustainable Fashion Mindset

Shopping as a Sustainable Fashion Consumer

Avoiding Impulse Buys

Use shopping lists

Take your time

Being Trendy and Sustainable

Avoiding Temptation

Detoxing your social media and inbox

Fasting from shopping

Being wary of sales

Finding a sustainable fashion community

Taking Pride in Repeating Outfits

Part 2: Purchasing Sustainable Fashion Items

Chapter 5: What Makes a Brand Sustainable?

Refuting Some Misconceptions about Sustainable Fashion

Looking at Sustainable Business Practices

Sustainable environmental practices

Transparent supply chain

Ethical labor practices

Reaching for Sustainable Fabrics

Natural sustainable fabrics

Innovative sustainable fabrics

Understanding What’s in It for You

Quality items that are designed to last

Small batches and made-to-order items

Timeless designs that won’t go out of style

Assessing a Brand’s Feel-Good Factor

Chapter 6: Buying Less but Choosing Well

Thinking Long Term

Calculating cost per wear

Deciding which items deserve the investment

Taking on the 30-wears challenge

Sizing Up Quality

Feeling fabric quality

Critiquing construction quality

Searching for perks

Assessing quality online

Choosing between natural fibers and synthetic fibers

Exploring Capsule Wardrobes

Creating your capsules

Gathering the capsule wardrobe essentials

Part 3: Going From Thrifting Beginner to Scouting Pro

Chapter 7: Easing into Secondhand Fashion

Starting Online

Getting started on the right foot

Going down the rabbit hole of online thrift stores

Measuring yourself for the perfect online thrifted fit

Finding Your New Favorite Used-Clothing Shop

Doing good by shopping at charity stores

Considering chain resale shops and consignment stores

Preparing for Your First Thrift Store Visit

Deciding when to go

Navigating the store

Dressing for thrifting success

Examining an item before you commit to it

Chapter 8: Upscaling Your Thrifting Efforts

Finding Hidden Gems

Buying Used Shoes

Examining used shoes

Knowing where to go

Disinfecting and cleaning shoes

Sorting Through Accessories

Jewelry

Scarves

Handbags

Belts

Shopping for Vintage Clothes

How to tell whether something is truly vintage

Where to find vintage clothing

Chapter 9: Donating, Selling, and Disposing of Clothes

Giving Your Clothes a Second Life

Donating Clothes to Support Charitable Organizations

The difference between for-profit and nonprofit shops

The scoop on tax deductions

Where to put all those clothes

The Dos and Don’ts of Donating Clothing

Making Some Cash by Selling Your Clothes

Consigning your clothes

Selling clothes to secondhand stores for cash or credit

Selling your preloved clothes by yourself

Saying Goodbye to Clothes That Have Lived Out Their Usefulness

Dealing with Undergarments and Socks Sustainably

Donating bras

Getting rid of old underwear

Recycling and repurposing old socks

Part 4: Keeping Your Clothes And Shoes in Tip-top Condition

Chapter 10: Caring for Your Clothes

Doing Laundry with Clothing Longevity in Mind

Making sense of labels

Understanding washer settings

Hand-washing delicates, sweaters, and more

Drying clothes differently

Keeping clothes fresh without over-washing

Deciding on dry-cleaning

Caring for Different Fabrics

Cleaning your cotton clothes

Avoiding shrinking your wools

Removing and preventing pilling

Saving your silks

Chasing the moths away

Making synthetics last

Loving your linens

Removing Stains

Deciding How to Store Your Clothes

Clothes you should hang

Clothes you should fold

Chapter 11: Repairing and Upcycling Your Clothes

Making Your Fashion Circular

Getting Your Thread Wet

Prepping your sewing kit

Stitching up for sewing success

Repairing Your Clothes with Basic Hand-Stitching

Using a running stitch

Doing the backstitch

Sewing on a button

Repairing a seam

Patching a torn or threadbare spot

Fixing snagged clothing

Joining the Upcycling Movement

Tie-dyeing your old shirts with avocado skins and pits

Making old jeans new again

Investing in Alterations or Other Significant Repairs

Knowing what alterations specialists can help you with

Finding someone who does quality work

Chapter 12: Walking Miles in Your Favorite Shoes

Considering Why Caring for Your Shoes Is a Shoo-In

Prolonging the Life of Your Leather Shoes

Everyday maintenance of leather shoes

Occasional maintenance of your leather shoes

Keeping Your Sneakers Clean

Machine-washing your sneakers

Hand-washing sneakers

Using Shoe Protectants

Storing Your Shoes Properly

Part 5: the Part of Tens

Chapter 13: Ten Sustainable Brands for Every Budget and Style

Loud Bodies

Wayre

Passion Lilie

Whimsy + Row

Amour Vert

Mara Hoffman

Kotn

Outerknown

Parade

Organic Basics

Chapter 14: Ten Ways to Shop Sustainably on a Budget

Shop Your Closet

Shop Secondhand

Shop Intentionally

Look for Affordable Sustainable Brands

Check the Sale and Preloved Page

Attend Clothing Swaps

Check Resale Sites

Consider Clothing Rentals

Calculate the Cost per Wear

Upcycle Your Clothes for a New Look

Chapter 15: Ten Perfect Clothing Items for Your Thrift List

Quality Coats

Special Occasion Clothes

Trendy Fashion

Nice-to-Have Luxury Items

Boss Blazers

Cool Leather Jackets

Fabulous Scarves

Cozy Knitwear

Clutch Bags

Versatile and Statement Belts

Your Favorite Pair of Jeans

Chapter 16: Ten Family-Friendly Sustainable Clothing Brands

Pact

For Days

Jackalo

Conscious Step

Patagonia

Tentree

Loop Swim

Many Moons

Firebird Kids

Mightly

Chapter 17: Ten Sustainable Shoe Brands

Veja

Veerah

Etiko

Nisolo

Wildling

Cariuma

Ethletic

Thesus

Good Guys

Pozu

Index