How to stop shopping fast fashion and build a sustainable wardrobe

Fast fashion, despite being attractive for its low prices and ever-new collections, has a devastating environmental and social impact. Find out how to transform your wardrobe making it more sustainable with practical tips to avoid impulse purchases and choose more ethical options

How many times have you told yourself you wouldn’t step foot in that fast fashion store again or stop shopping on Temu and Shein? If you’re reading this, probably more times than you can count. The appeal of low-cost clothing is undeniable due to its affordability and the constant new collections, but as we all know, besides being of low quality, their environmental and social impact is devastating.

Analyze your wardrobe

The first step to stopping fast fashion purchases is understanding what you already have. Take some time to inventory your wardrobe. Identify which items you wear frequently and which have gone unused. This will help you pinpoint essential pieces and avoid impulsive purchases.

Invest in quality, not quantity

Choose high-quality clothing that will last over time. While these items might cost more initially, you’ll save in the long run because you won’t need to replace them frequently. Look for sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, or wool.

Shop ethical brands

Support brands that adopt ethical and sustainable practices. Many transparent brands share information about their supply chains and working conditions in their factories. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and B Corp.

Second hand and vintage

Consider buying second-hand or vintage clothing. Thrift stores, flea markets, online platforms, and certain apps offer a wide range of second-hand clothing in excellent condition and are much more sustainable. This choice not only reduces waste but also allows you to find unique pieces.

Repair and recycle

Learn to repair your clothes instead of discarding them at the first sign of wear. Sewing a button or mending a hole can give new life to a garment. When an item is truly beyond repair, look for recycling options available in your area.

Minimalism

Adopt a minimalist approach to your wardrobe. Focus on a few versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched in various ways. This will help reduce the temptation to buy new clothes each season.

Plan your purchases

Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you really need it. Make a list of what’s missing from your wardrobe and stick to it. Planning your purchases will help avoid impulsive spending and focus on what’s truly necessary. You can also follow the 30-day rule: if you want to buy a new item, wait 30 days. If you still want it after this period, then consider purchasing it.

Participate in sustainable fashion events and initiatives

A great way to support sustainable fashion is to participate in dedicated events and initiatives. Swap parties, for example, are fantastic opportunities to exchange good-condition clothing you no longer use, allowing you to refresh your wardrobe without buying anything new. Additionally, ethical fashion fairs are valuable events where you can meet and discover companies that adopt sustainable and responsible practices in producing their garments.

Become aware and share

Inform yourself about the negative impacts of fast fashion and share this information with friends and family. The more people are aware of the issues related to fast fashion, the larger the movement toward a sustainable fashion industry will be.

Don’t rush

Changing your habits, even regarding clothing, isn’t easy and takes time. However, every small step counts.

Quitting fast fashion is a journey that requires awareness and commitment, but the benefits for the environment and people are enormous. Start with one of these tips and see how, gradually, your wardrobe will become not only more sustainable but also more authentic and meaningful.

The Trombe-Michel wall, the innovative passive solar solution to heat and cool your home in an ecological and sustainable way, significantly reducing energy costs and contributing to the fight against climate change

The Trombe-Michel wall can reduce your energy bills

@Arnaud 25 - Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever considered how much it costs to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer? What if there was a way to drastically reduce these expenses by harnessing solar energy? The Trombe-Michel wall might be the ideal solution.

The Trombe-Michel wall is named after its creators, engineer Félix Trombe and architect Jacques Michel. It was inspired by an 1881 patent from inventor Edward Morse (US246626A). The first Trombe-Michel wall was installed in Trombe’s house in Odeillo, located in the Eastern Pyrenees.

This type of wall consists of an inner layer of concrete and an outer glazed layer, making it an excellent alternative for thermal insulation, especially appreciated in bioclimatic houses. However, the installation can be costly and requires the expertise of specialized professionals.

How does a Trombe-Michel wall work?

To construct a Trombe-Michel wall, it is crucial to select a south-facing area to maximize the system’s effectiveness. The wall’s inner layer is made of a massive material like concrete, brick, or stone, and is painted black or a dark color to enhance solar heat absorption.

A transparent glass or polycarbonate panel is installed a few inches in front of the wall, and it must be well-sealed to allow sunlight to pass through. There are openings at the top and bottom of the wall to enable air circulation, which can be fitted with shutters to regulate airflow. Despite its efficiency, the Trombe-Michel wall’s installation cost is high, and there are few professionals skilled in its construction.

The operation of the Trombe-Michel wall is straightforward. The sun heats the glass panel, which transfers the heat to the dark-colored wall. This heat is stored during the day and slowly released into the house at night, providing passive heating. The openings allow warm air to enter and cool air to exit, creating a convection cycle that maintains a comfortable indoor temperature.

Environmental and financial benefits

Choosing a Trombe-Michel wall not only helps save on energy costs but also represents an ecological and sustainable choice. This passive solar heating system reduces the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to the fight against climate change.