This is a blog post I've been meaning to write for quite some time but for some reason I couldn't really get around to it. I don't share a lot of personal things about me, because well that's not why most people are here. That being said, for almost two years now I've been going through a big weight loss journey. I want to talk about it because it affects my green journey as well, and I know from conversations I've had that I'm not the only one.
I haven't seen any articles talking about how weight changes can affect one's green lifestyle. However it does! Be it weight loss or weight gain, this has an effect on my wardrobe and the amount of clothes I go through. As I'm loosing weight, I constantly have to get new jeans and donate what has become too large for me. This can easily turn into a strain on the environment and also on my budget. I would love to invest in small local ethical brands, but I know the clothes I buy now will not fit me for long. I prefer to save my money for when I reach my goal weight and create my ideal sustainable wardrobe.
I know this can be difficult to navigate sometimes, and so here are 5 ways I maintain a sustainable wardrobe through it all:
1. GET COMFORTABLE WITH SECONDHAND FASHION
This is probably the more obvious solution, but it's not so easy for everyone! I definitely started with baby steps when I started buying secondhand clothes. If you're unsure about going to thrift stores and vintage shops, one good place to start are jumpers & tops. I feel like it's not as intimidating as jeans & trousers! Another option is to buy online, it takes away a little of the "secondhand" feeling, but then it might be hard to return if it doesn't fit.
Shopping secondhand is the most sustainable option because it takes away the environmental pressure of produce new garments all the time. It's also a great alternative for people who do like to switch up their wardrobe all the time. It takes a bit of getting used to but that's definitely a great option!
I got this T-Shirt from a US brand called Neo Thread. She reworks secondhand pieces to make them trendy again, check her out her work is amazing!
2. LOOSE FITTING CLOTHES THAT WILL FIT LONGER
This is another one of my tricks. I LOVE wearing jumpers and what I've been doing is purchasing them a little more fitted than I normally would. Then when I loose weight the fit becomes just perfect. I only recommend doing this with loose fitting clothes though. You need to be comfortable wearing the garment even at the start otherwise this trick will turn into a waste. Again I find this works perfectly for jumpers & tops. By doing this you make sure you'll be able to wear your piece for as long as you possibly can.
This jumpsuit is from 2 years ago when I was at my heaviest, but because it's supposed to be loose-fitting, I can still wear it! I just tighten the belt and fix some areas with safety pins.
3. INVEST IN GOOD QUALITY STRETCHY CLOTHES
In the same trail of thoughts, investing in quality stretchy clothes is also a good option. The garments will stretch, move and adapt to your changing body. This will allow you to wear them longer. This is an area where I would recommend putting a little more money in because the quality jump can be pretty steep. Cheaper produced pieces might sag and loose their stretch with time. This is obviously great for activewear, but it can work with trousers and tops just as well.
These culottes are from People Tree, I love them because they look smart but still have an elasticated waist. This means they will adapt to my size and always feel comfy.
4. AVOID NON-STRETCH FITTED CLOTHES
This though. It has taken me years to actually get this into my head. I have so many camisoles where I feel constricted or that just don't fit anymore. This is the piece of clothing I find the least forgiving. When going through weight fluctuations, I would highly recommend staying away from anything that is form-fitting but not stretchy at all. These pieces will most certainly not adapt to your body. A shift in any direction will mean you can't wear it anymore. It's a waste of clothes, time and of comfort!
I don't have any photos of any too-tight camis, but my best advice if you want a non-stretch material is to buy looser.
5. STICK TO MAINSTREAM "CONSCIOUS" LINES
The last tip is my last resort. I prefer to buy the same model of jeans over and over during my weight loss because it allows me to see the size changes without being toyed with from one company to the other. For some people it's because of budget restrictions. If for some reason you prefer not to shop secondhand or your budget only allows you to go for mainstream brands, there are options. Stick to companies rated "Good" on Good on You (Like Marks&Spencers) so you know they have good practises. You can also go for the more "conscious" lines at H&M or Mango. I know mango does organic cotton jeans, which isn't perfect but better than nothing.
These are a pair of my M&S jeans. I'm glad to say I don't own them anymore because they got too big!
At the end of the day, we can only do what's available to us. I always say to do what you can and not drive yourself mad with what you can't do. Going through weight changes, voluntarily or not, is not easy so you're already working hard. The link between that & sustainability is definitely a topic I want to talk about more. I would like to go into more details about HOW it can affect your green journey.
4 comments
Wrap skirts are handy as the waistband is very adjustable. Clothes swap with friends/family.
This was super helpful, thank you! 🙂
Great post. I could never have a minimalist wardrobe because my weight fluctuates so much. I’ve stopped passing on clothes I outgrow, instead I store them away for the next time they fit me. Saves me time and money and avoids waste.
Yeah Elaine I do that too with the ones I WANT to fit in again hahaha! The ones I don’t get donated so I can forget about them 😉