Sustainable Fashion: Re-Styling, Swapping, and Re-Wearing.

In the UK, the average person is expected to purchase approximately 61.2 pieces of clothing annually in 2025, with total UK apparel market revenue projected to reach £68.7 billion, according to Spring Fair 2025. This is due to the rise of fast fashion and the need to keep up with “trends” that are brought to us by influencers, social media, and peer pressure.

Over the last 3 months, I have bought 2 items of clothing.

Me (left), wearing the only 2 items of clothing I've bought in the last 3 months.

Just 2? two items of clothing?

Yes , a corset style shirt from Hollister and barrel leg jeans from Urban Outfitters.

Off the top of my head, I have worn the shirt to a job interview, the student races, date night, and countless pub/ club trips. I Bought the top because I knew it was going to be versatile and can be worn in so many situations depending on how you tie it, how low you have it hooked and how you style it.

The jeans… I wouldn't be shocked if I’ve worn them over 100 times. I saved for 3 weeks to buy them (£62) and have worn them everywhere. And I genuinely mean everywhere. The farm, the rugby, harry potter studios, university, pub (of course), whenever I leave the house!

Me (left) wearing the same white shirt styled diferently. Also wearing second hand shooting jacket and barbour wax

Jeans don’t need to be washed every wear. Washing jeans every 4-10 wears depending on your lifestyle is recommended by denim experts, and washing then every 2-3 weeks is a great way to extend the life of the garment and reduce fabric wear. This is a great way to keep up the quality and prolong the lifespan of your denim jeans.

Click Me Or Scan The QR Code To Find Out More About Washing Your Jeans!

Choosing clothing pieces that are versatile in how you can wear them and good quality is just one way you can shop more sustainably rather than buying fast fashion online and only wearing it once. Another way to be sustainable when it comes to fashion is looking in charity shops, doing clothes swaps, and getting nifty with a needle and thread.

Clothes swapping is one of my favourite ways to get new clothes. When I find stuff in my wardrobe that I don’t wear, or doesn’t fit my style, I ask my friends if they would like it; and in return they give me a pile of clothes to pick out of that they don’t wear/ want. I also rummage through my mother’s wardrobe when I go home. I have 3 pairs of her jeans from the late 90s/ early 2000’s, countless tops, multiple jackets and lots of jewelry.

Me (right) wearing my mums 2000's top to the club

There's no need to be shopping on Shien for “Y2K” fashion, when its already made and out in the world hidden in parent’s attics, charity shops, clothes warehouses.

There's no need to buy 5 different white tops when one can be altered for any occasion.

And there’s no need to throw away clothes when they could be well loved in your friends or a strangers wardrobe.