Overconsumption of clothing on a global scale is one of the most harmful things currently happening to our environment; with over 30% of clothing ending up in landfill, it’s not hard to see why the fast fashion industry is considered one of the most harmful to the planet, in its current state.

That’s why, we think is hugely important, alongside choosing more ethically conscious clothing as a whole, to make more deliberate choices about the clothing you choose to buy – and how much of it, too.  

Why is a minimalist wardrobe important for an eco-friendly lifestyle?

How many of us have picked up an item of clothing we’re just not sure about, or chosen to keep something we’ve ordered online that doesn’t quite fit or feel right, just because the returns process seems too complicated? We’re not judging – we’ve all been there, and chances are, some of those questionable choices are still lurking in the back of your wardrobe right now, unworn and completely forgotten about…probably with the original tags still on them! It’s certainly not unusual, but it can have a negative impact on the environment, as it contributes to clothing companies’ overproduction of garments, and when those clothes inevitably end up being thrown away, they can contribute to pollution, too. 

That’s why, in committing to having a smaller, capsule wardrobe, filled only with clothing you love and are likely to wear regularly, you can seriously help do your part for keeping clothing a little more eco-friendly. 

What are the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe?

Aside from the obvious eco-friendly benefits that we mentioned above, there are plenty more reasons why it might help to have a minimalist wardrobe, the most apparent being that, in creating a varied wardrobe of pieces that all go together well, you are likely to see a huge reduction in the amount of time it takes you to get ready every day; if all of your clothes work as outfits, feeling like you have nothing to wear is a thing of the past! Planning outfits becomes effortless, and you can try on any combinations safe in the knowledge that everything you own makes you look – and feel – great.
Of course, there’s also a huge financial benefit to only opting for clothes that you love and which are durable; no need to spend tonnes of money on items you’ll never wear, and the pieces that you do invest in will last you a very long time – win/win! 

How can I minimise my wardrobe?

The easiest way to start minimising your wardrobe is by getting rid of any and all clothing that you’re not getting use out of; we’ve got a blog post on the best eco-friendly ways to get rid of old or unused clothing, here, so you don’t have to worry about contributing to waste just because you’re not wanting to keep everything. 

Once you’ve found new homes for anything you’re simply not going to wear, it’s time to start thinking about how the clothing you own fits together as a whole: do you have any odd pieces of clothing that don’t go with anything? Donate them! Clothing that no longer fits or is beyond repair? Upcycle it! Start thinking about your wardrobe as a whole, rather than individual pieces, and as you start needing to replace clothing that’s not wearable any more, ensure that you can think of at least one or two other items of clothing that go with it – that’s the best possible way to start creating a capsule collection for yourself! 

We hope you’ve found our blog post on building your very own minimalist wardrobe helpful, and that you’re feeling inspired to downsize your own wardrobe!
As always, if there’s anything you’d like to know about living a more eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle, leave us a comment below or on our Instagram, and we’ll do our best to try and de-mystify whatever we can to make living more sustainably a little bit easier!