The 2022-2023 school year is almost over, and that means that summer is here. While summer comes with lots of things, like more free time and vacations with friends and family, for some it also means needing a new wardrobe for the warmer weather. This summer, when shopping for new clothes, try checking out some environmentally friendly clothing stores instead of shopping fast fashion.

Fast fashion is more popular than ever, with many consumers excited for more incredibly cheap clothing items. It’s understandable to want to save money on clothes, but fast fashion products have many other flaws. The clothes that these companies produce are usually poor-quality, and will only last for a short amount of time. The conditions in which the clothes are made is also less than ethical, with workers having to put in long hours for only a small payout. Along with that, the waste made by the mass production of so many products does serious harm to the environment. The right choice to make this summer is to leave fast fashion in the past and buy good quality clothes that are easy on the environment and the workers. 

So how do you shop sustainably? A quick and easy way to find out is to research different companies that you might want to shop at. Check out their websites and social media to see what their views are, and the company’s affect on the environment. A second tactic you could use is to check the tags of clothes to see what material they are made from. Not only will this give you an insight into the quality of the piece, but it will also tell you if the product was made from natural or synthetic materials. Natural materials, like cotton and silk, have a much lower impact on the environment than synthetic materials, like polyester and nylon. Synthetic materials are not as biodegradable as natural ones, so they will contribute to the chemical and waste emissions that are harming our planet. Another option that wouldn’t use up any new materials at all is thrifting. Buying second hand clothes can be as inexpensive as fast fashion, and doesn’t require any materials, natural or otherwise, to create. 

It’s important to remember that while eco-friendly clothes should be a first priority, it’s not always the easiest option. Some clothing items just don’t work with natural materials and that’s okay. The important thing is not to fill up your closet with poor-quality, non-sustainable pieces. So whether it’s by researching eco-friendly stores or visiting your local thrift shop, do your best to shop sustainably this summer.