Sustainable shopping: where do you start?

Charlotte (28) has worked as a high fashion model for years. During these years she found out how polluting the fashion industry can be. In 2020 she came into contact with the term ‘slow fashion’ and decided to take a closer look at her own consumption behavior. Since 2023 she has been a sustainable model at modeling agency Belle & Co and writes blogs about her quest for a more sustainable life. View her modeling portfolio and book her!

The clothing industry is polluting, encourages over-consumption and the people who make your clothes are often poorly paid. You probably know all this. Perhaps you have toyed with the idea of ​​buying more consciously, but you still end up at a fast fashion chain. Of course you want to look nice when you go to an exciting date or on vacation. I totally understand that. Since I decided to only buy clothes from brands that I know have improved working conditions and use sustainable production processes, I regularly end up in this moral struggle. Sometimes I just want pants now! It took some effort and research, but now I know where to buy sustainable clothing and I no longer make impulse purchases. Do you also want to choose fair clothing and go to that date sustainably next time? Read my tips below to help you start your sustainable journey:

1. Start small: don’t try to do it perfectly all at once. Sustainability is a broad concept with different facets. Therefore, think of a topic that is very important to you. Is it animal welfare? Then choose vegan brands and animal-friendly materials.
2. The power of good basics! With a good base you can go in all directions, in all seasons. My basics consist of cool jeans, simple sneakers, nice boots, tight turtleneck, smooth shirts, a wool sweater and a tight summer and winter dress. Everything in black. I can imagine that you prefer to go for color yourself, there are plenty of options. Choose a color that matches well with other colors you already have in your closet. Plenty of green brands where you can find them! For example: @unrecorded.co  @armedangels @colorfulstandard or @filippa_k.
3. Visualize your ideal look: create a mood board with outfits in a style that suits you and add to it from time to time. What do you already have of this style in your closet? Are you still missing things? When you go shopping, take a look at the outfits you already have and determine whether the item you want to buy really adds something new.
4. Manipulate your algorithm: the more sustainable brands you follow, the more new discoveries you will make through the sponsored ads on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook. Small sustainable entrepreneurs know where to find you and will follow you. With this we increase the reach of green brands! For example, you can follow these well-known brands: @swedishstockings, @sezane, @reformation. Disclaimer: watch out for greenwashing: @whensarasmiles wrote a good article about this.
5. Ask the experts: Do you find it difficult to find honest information online? Then go to a sustainable store and ask for advice. In Utrecht, for example, you can go to Sophie Stone, Joline Jolink or Nukuhiva. If the seller can tell you a lot about the manufacturing process and is transparent about it, you can trust that you’ve come to the right place.