I think most of us would be lying if we said we didn’t love to shop, especially when it comes to new clothes. It’s exciting to cycle new items through our wardrobes and try out new styles. But how often do we consider the impact that our shopping habits have on the environment? Luckily, there are some things we can each do to keep our environmental footprint minimal while still enjoying fashion and shopping!

1. Shop  secondhand stores and repurposed clothing.

Pre-loved items are often overlooked, but there can be awesome finds (and savings) if you’re looking in the right places. Diverting clothes from the landfill by supporting repurposed clothing brands and thrift stores is a great alternative to perusing the aisles of department stores.

2. Fix it!

We live in a throw-away society but consider trying to mend clothing items you have before replacing them with new ones. Learn basic sewing skills, throw a cute patch on it, or even repurpose or upcycle items instead of pitching them.

3. Swap shop, anyone?

Try getting a group of friends together and have everyone bring unwanted or unused clothes they’re ready to part ways with. It’s a great way to socialize and vamp up your wardrobe without spending any money. There are also swap shop groups online and through social media, check to see if your area has one!

4. Do your research!

Greenwashing makes companies seem more eco-friendly than they actually are. Be sure to look into what materials are used, how their products are made, etc. Checking companies’ websites for green certifications, looking them up on ethicalconsumer.org, and looking at reviews can help you to make the best decision when looking at products.

In addition to clothes shopping, these practices can be applied to many other areas of consumerism as well! Keeping intent at the forefront of our shopping mentality is instrumental in playing the role of sustainable shopping. The goal is to do our part, even if it’s imperfectly done.