Dressing yourself sustainably

Dressing yourself sustainably

What are some things to look for to make your closet full of sustainable fashion.

The fashion industry can generate a lot of waste, but April Hepokoski of Zero Waste Duluth has tips to shop more sustainably.

She thinks about four things: wearing 100% natural fiber materials, shopping secondhand, repairing clothing, and considering the fiber’s end life.

If you are shopping new, Hepokoski has a few questions to ask to vet companies’ sustainability:

  • Do they offer repair services of their clothing?
  • Is it high quality clothing or fast fashion?
  • How do they source fibers and dyes?
  • Are they made locally or at least in the U.S.?
  • Do they have sustainable values that give back?
  • Do they made clothes chemical free and organic?

If you are thrifting, she suggests three things:

  • Look at tags and know natural fiber names
  • Get familiar with how natural materials feel
  • Look for high quality items that will last

Hepokoski’s favorite secondhand shops in Duluth are Ragstock, Savers, and Goodwill.