8 tips for being more fashionably responsible

At a time when the UK bins 10,000 items of clothing every five minutes – that’s over £140 million pounds in value going to landfill each year* – we all need to do a little more individually to make a change collectively.

21 January 2022

Jules Dagonet, Head of Fashion and Textiles at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) gives you her top tips:

Buy second-hand, vintage and from charity shops.
Learn how to sew and you can mend existing clothes and bring new life to pre-worn ones.
Think outside the box, upcycle that old dress into cushion covers or an apron.

Invest in quality pieces that you will cherish and that will have some re-sale value
Buy less and buy more thoughtfully
Look for clothes made from sustainable fabrics like wool, organic or recycled cotton

Search out smaller more ethical fashion brands on Instagram, brands who prioritise sustainability and sell direct to the consumer.
Go through your wardrobe, if you haven’t worn something for a year, donate it or sell it – extending its lifecycle.

All the images in this articles (from top to bottom: Molly Roy, Chloe Newman and Izzy Hogg) all use sustainable fabrics in their designs.

Looking for more inspiration, follow these UCA alumni and ethical fashionistas: