The way we dress is changing. More and more people are asking themselves whether their closets reflect not just their style, but also their values. With fast fashion fueling overproduction, waste, and poor working conditions, it’s no surprise that wardrobes are getting a rethink.
There’s no single “right” way to build a sustainable wardrobe. For some, it means repairing and reusing what they already own. For others, it’s about choosing preloved pieces, renting, or carefully adding long-lasting essentials. The key is to create a wardrobe that works for you–filled with clothes you actually wear in your everyday life.
And remember: building a sustainable wardrobe is a journey, not an overnight switch. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most important steps to consider and share a simple, step-by-step approach to help you start building a wardrobe that’s more long-lasting and enjoyable, as well as sustainable.
What is a sustainable wardrobe?
A sustainable wardrobe includes pieces that are being worn, as well as prioritizes quality over quantity, respects the people who make our clothes, and reduces the environmental footprint of fashion. It’s not about throwing away everything you own and starting from scratch. Instead, it’s about making mindful choices with what’s already in your closet, repairing and reusing what you can, and when you do shop, choosing preloved or sustainably made items first.
The best part? A sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive or restrictive. It can start right where you are, with the clothes you already own.
How to build a sustainable wardrobe?
Step 1 – Assess Your Current Wardrobe
The first step in building a sustainable wardrobe isn’t buying anything new: it’s understanding what you already own. There’s no one-size-fits-all method here, but here are some ways to approach assessing your wardrobe.
Option 1: The “Classic” way
Treat it like spring cleaning. Take everything out of your wardrobe and sort it into clear categories: love it, use it, repair it, resell it, donate it, and store it.
- Ask yourself: Do I love this piece? Do I wear it regularly? Can I see myself repairing or restyling it?
- For the repair/resell/donate piles, make a plan straight away so they don’t end up lingering in bags.
- The “store it” pile is for pieces you’re not sure about. Put them aside and revisit in a few months: you’ll quickly see which ones you’ve missed and which ones you haven’t thought about once.
Option 2: The “Hate Big Projects” way
Not into full-day cleanouts? Instead of waiting for the time when you have a full day to give to a closet cleanout, turn it into a habit: every day, pick one item from your wardrobe and ask yourself whether you still like it, want to wear it more, or if it’s time to let it go.
Styling apps like Indyx or Whering (see Step 2) can make this easier by helping you visualize your clothes, track what you wear, and spot the pieces that don’t really fit your style anymore.
Option 3: The “Nothing has ever worked for me” way
If you’ve tried both approaches and still can’t get yourself to audit your closet, try something completely different. Choose 20-50 pieces you know you wear on a daily or weekly basis (your true everyday staples that you could not go a week without). Pack up the rest of your wardrobe and store it away.
- Once a week (or month), pull out a box from storage and review what’s inside.
- Notice what you missed, what you forgot you even owned, and what you’re ready to resell or donate.
- Bit by bit, you’ll rebuild your sustainable wardrobe around the clothes you actually use.
Step 2 – Reuse, restyle, and repair
Clothes sitting unworn in our closets is a universal problem: the average garment is worn only 10 times before it’s discarded. A truly sustainable wardrobe is one that’s actually being worn, and that means knowing how to make the most of what you already own. The good news is that reusing, restyling, and repairing your clothes can be both fun and creative, and it’s one of the most impactful ways to build a sustainable wardrobe.
Learn to rewear and style what you already have
Styling clothes is definitely a skill, and it takes a bit of practice. The recent rise of wardrobe apps makes reusing and styling your existing clothes easier and more fun. If the 90s movie Clueless and Cher’s digital closet hit a certain part of your brain, you’ll love today’s digital wardrobe apps. Some of the most well-known ones are Whering and Indyx.
Wardrobe app Whering
Beyond combining pieces in new ways, a few simple styling tricks can give your wardrobe an extra boost in “times of wear.” Try tying a shirt differently, turning a scarf into a top, or layering a summer dress with a turtleneck for fall. Luckily, a single Pinterest search can spark dozens of ideas.
Styling hacks, Tiktok: @thanyaw_
Using a scarf as a top, Tiktok: @claudyamoreira1
The importance and possibilities of repair
Alongside rewearing and restyling, getting comfortable with repairing is another cornerstone of a sustainable wardrobe. Extending the life of your clothes is an important cornerstone of a sustainable wardrobe. And unlike many of us might think, a missing button, a broken zipper, or a small tear doesn’t mean the end of a garment. Most issues are simpler and cheaper to fix than you’d expect. Learn a few basic repair skills (a real sustainable fashion skill to have!), or support your local repair and tailoring shops.
Step 3 – Upcycle, and resell
We’re already at step three, and we haven’t even started buying anything new? Exactly. That’s what building a sustainable wardrobe is really about: it’s less about adding more clothes and much more about managing the ones you already have.
Reusing (and repairing when needed) the pieces you own is always the most sustainable choice. But let’s be honest: most of us have clothes in our closets that simply don’t get worn anymore. According to the 2025 State of Our Wardrobes report by Indyx, the average person doesn’t wear up to 60% of what’s in their closet. That’s a huge opportunity to free up space, give clothes a second life, and maybe even make some extra money along the way.
So, what to do with those unused items?
- Upcycle: If you love the fabric, color, or vibe of a piece but it doesn’t fit your style or body anymore, consider modifying it. A tailor can crop, dye, or re-shape garments into something you’ll actually wear.
- Resell: Give the piece a new home where it will be appreciated and used.
When it comes to reselling, the most sustainable option is to keep it local:
- Consignment stores in your neighbourhood
- Facebook Marketplace or other local resale groups
- Hosting a swap party with friends
Selling locally keeps transport emissions low and supports small businesses in your community. If local isn’t an option, peer-to-peer apps and larger consignment platforms are also great ways to connect your clothes with new owners.
Step 4 – Buy Preloved First
When you do need something new-to-you, start with preloved. Secondhand shopping extends the life of clothes that already exist. Platforms like ReRobe, other consignment stores, vintage shops, and peer-to-peer marketplaces make it easier than ever to find pieces that fit your style and budget.
Expert tips: How to crack secondhand shopping?
Have a wishlist. Secondhand is full of one-off pieces, which can make it exciting–but also overwhelming. Keep a list of items you’re actually looking for and note the details: material (cashmere or merino?), weight (thick winter knit or light layering piece?), neckline (crew, roll, v-neck?), fit and length, and colour. The clearer you are, the easier it is to spot the right piece.
Learn from your past hits and misses. Notice which colours you actually wear all the time, and which ones always end up at the back of your closet. Same with fabrics: pay attention to what feels good and lasts well for you.
Seek inspiration. Ask yourself what kind of style you want to build, and whether a new piece truly fits into it. Sometimes you’ll realize an item is beautiful, but perfect for a friend’s style, not yours.
A good rule of thumb when buying secondhand is to ask yourself a question that would you want to wear the piece right away. If not (and the item is not a gala dress), you should probably not buy it.
And keep in mind: buying secondhand is not only more sustainable, it’s also a chance to create a wardrobe that feels truly personal. Preloved shopping opens the door to unique finds you won’t see on everyone else, whether it’s a perfectly tailored blazer from the 70s, a mini dress from the 60s, or a quirky vintage accessory. So don’t feel you have to stick to just “safe” basics on your wishlist when buying secondhand. Get playful, and build a wardrobe that looks like you!
Step 5 – Add sustainable essentials mindfully
Sometimes, you really do need to buy something new. Maybe you can’t find it secondhand, or the need is urgent. When that happens, aim for brands that are transparent about their supply chains, prioritize fair working conditions, and use more sustainable materials (e.g. deadstock, upcycled fabrics, or certified fibers like GOTS cotton or RWS wool).
But the most important thing to keep in mind is to choose pieces you know you’ll actually wear. Coming back to our very first point, the most sustainable garment is one that’s being worn over and over again.
Let’s break this down with a practical example: you’re deciding between two options. One is from a sustainable brand but doesn’t fit quite right, or it isn’t your colour. The other is from a fast fashion store, but it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for, it’s high-quality (here you need a bit of an eye and understanding of materials and clothing structures to spot quality items!), and you know you’ll wear it constantly. The more sustainable choice here is the piece you’ll truly use and care for, not the one that will sit unworn in your closet.
So, the golden rule when buying new is simple: buy less, choose high-quality pieces that fit your style, and make them last.
Conclusion
Building a sustainable wardrobe starts with using pieces that are in your wardrobe, and making small, thoughtful choices that add up over time. The goal is simple: wear what you own, keep clothes in circulation, and when you do add something new, choose with care.
Here’s a quick recap of the steps to get you started:
1. Assess your current wardrobe
Understand what you own, learn what you love, and what no fits your style or needs.
2. Reuse, restyle, and repair
Get creative with how you style, layer and combine your clothes, and get comfortable with repairing.
3. Upcycle and resell
Give unworn pieces a second life through upcycling, or by reselling them.
4. Buy preloved first
Explore secondhand pieces that match your style and make your wardrobe unique.
5. Add sustainable essentials mindfully
When buying new, prioritize quality, fit, and brand’s values.
FAQ
How can I start a sustainable wardrobe if I have a small budget? Focus on what you already own, repair whenever possible, and shop secondhand. Preloved fashion often costs less than new fast fashion but lasts longer.
What is the first step to building a sustainable wardrobe? Start with a wardrobe audit. Know what you own, repair what you can, and identify what’s really missing before adding anything new.
Is secondhand clothing really sustainable? Yes! The key in secondhand’s sustainability is does it replace the purchase of a new piece. Currently according to studies, 3/5 secondhand pieces replace the purchase of new items.
Can I build a sustainable wardrobe while still following trends? Absolutely. You just need to be mindful about what trends fit your style and closet. Here the key is to know your style and your closet: choose trends from the season that fit your style, and buy pieces in those trends secondhand.
How many clothes do you need for a sustainable wardrobe? There’s no magic number, but the key is curation. A few versatile, high-quality pieces you love and wear often are more sustainable than a closet full of rarely worn items.
Is it better to buy new sustainable brands or secondhand? Always check secondhand first, it’s the lowest impact option. If you can’t find what you need preloved, then opt for transparent, value-driven brands, and buy pieces you know you will wear over and over again.
