We asked 10 influential, fashion conscious women their favourite ways to shop sustainably. Here are their five top tips for a more eco lifestyle. We kick off with Alyssa Lau, founder of Shop New Classics.

ALYSSA LAU

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

ALYSSA To invest in quality pieces a few times a year by shopping locally, shopping small businesses or shopping secondhand!

@imalyssalau

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

ALYSSA

  • Be more mindful about the things you consume and throw away/recycle (many of the things we recycle and up in the garbage anyway, so it’s important to consider this!)
  • Sleep on purchases to limit impulse buying.
  • Spread the word and talk to your friends and family about sustainable living – we are in this together!
  • Think creatively – sustainable living isn’t a checklist but rather requires creative solutions.
  • Use your voice and/or platforms to show governments and large corporations that we DO care about the earth, populations vulnerable to climate change and exploitation by said large companies! We need to hold them accountable.

MOLLY BLUTSTEIN

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

MOLLY It would of course be to buy vintage! That’s the easiest way to do it. And if you’re not into vintage (you’re missing out) then look for brands that devote their time to practicing sustainability within their company.

@accidentalinfluencer

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable life?

MOLLY

  • Make your own food.
  • Donate money to organisations that help the environment every time you buy or receive something new.
  • Use reusable water bottles.
  • Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
  • Just be mindful of your impact on the earth everyday!

FRIDA BECKER

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

FRIDA There are two options in my opinion: You either buy secondhand pieces or buy from a brand that cares. A brand that is part of slow fashion, uses recycled fabrics, deadstock fabrics, up-cycled or organic fabrics. But a brand that is also conscious of all the steps of the process, from the working conditions where the clothes are being produced, to what kind and how much material they’re using for their packaging.

@fridabecker

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

FRIDA

  • Don’t eat meat – I’m from Brazil and as a kid, I used to have barbecues frequently. It’s a bit of a tradition here, so to break this habit was and still is the most difficult one for me. Raising animals for food requires a big amount of land, energy, food and water. Animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined.
  • Recycle.
  • Buy less.
  • Use less energy at home, it’s one of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
  • And the last tip is just to be more aware about the small steps you can take to help. To not use plastic, to bring a bag with you to the supermarket, to take short showers. Small steps in your everyday life will cause a big and positive impact on our planet.

ALYSSA COSCARELLI

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

ALYSSA Shopping vintage and secondhand is best. But if you’re shopping new, do your research and give your money to brands that you trust are producing ethically and responsibly. I love supporting small businesses because I know exactly where my money is going.

@alyssainthecity

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

ALYSSA

  • Commit to as little single-use plastic as possible – Package Free Shop is a great place to start.
  • If you do discard clothes, make sure they’re ending up in a good home and not in a landfill.
  • Walk, bike or use public transport whenever possible.
  • Do your best to eat less meat – I’m working on this myself!
  • Realise that no one is perfect, but if we all make small everyday changes and vote according to our values, it can make a huge difference.

JO ROSENTHAL

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

JO To make sure you know where your items are coming from. Have a relationship with a brand if you can! Most small brands allow you the luxury to DM or contact them if you want to know more. When it comes to clothes, only buy them when you need them and not because you just ‘want’ them. Save up for something nice and special rather than supporting a fast fashion brand. Consider thrift shopping or making your own clothing. Be the change you want to see in the fashion industry or around the world!

@justjorosenthal

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

JO

  • Don’t be too hard on yourself.
  • Bring your reusable tote bag everywhere and use them for everything!
  • Be mindful and knowledgeable about the brand you buy and support.
  • Wear things more before washing them.
  • Consider a vegetarian or vegan diet. Baby steps! Don’t expect yourself to become fully sustainable or sustainably based at once.

MICHELLE LI

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

MICHELLE For me, it’s about being really thoughtful about my purchases. In college and high school, I was always impulsively buying things and now I’m trying to decrease the amount that I’m consuming. I’m not going to buy something unless I think it fulfils a need or just shop for the sake of shopping.

@himichelleli

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

MICHELLE

(This is tough because everyone has such different lifestyles but for me)

  • I try to only take what I need.
  • Be thoughtful about the brands I’m supporting.
  • Educate myself about candidates and vote.
  • Biking everywhere.
  • Have open discussions with people about sustainability and not pass judgement on anyone.

EMMA HÅKANSSON

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

EMMA Only buy things you don’t have anything similar to, that you adore, that are well made, that you can see yourself wearing often and in years to come. Also, not buying any animal products.

@hakamme

ELLISS What are your top tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

EMMA Live vegan. The most environmentally impactful materials to produce from cradle to grate are generally animal materials (Global Fashion Agenda), and diet wise, it’s the best thing you can do for the environment too (Journal Science, J.Poore). It’s also wonderful to no longer contribute to the death of animals.

GEORGEA CHARALAMBOUS & NATALIE BOULOUX

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

GEORGEA & NATALIE If you’re buying new, just look after it to extend its life! But also do your research and look at the labels- many brands who are doing good for the environment tend to shout about it on their platforms. If a product on a website doesn’t say where it’s from, send them an email- be curious about a brand’s practice and it may encourage them to develop this side of their business, as they recognise their customers care about it. Buying vintage/secondhand is also a great way to shop sustainably.

@inneoss

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

GEORGEA & NATALIE

  • Reusable water bottles and coffee cups are obviously a very well advertised way of cutting down on single-use plastics. We both use these and London is amazing because you have water filling stations all over! Just remember to bring them with you!
  • Washing your clothes on 30. You don’t need to hot wash everything!! If you can wash your clothes naturally then do, avoid the tumble dryer. It’s much better for your clothe’s lifespan as well, especially garments that have elastic in them- they last longer being washed in cool temperatures
  • Swap your clothes. Just because you’re bored of it, doesn’t mean that other people will be. These can so easily be hosted within your friendship groups over dinner!
  • Repair your clothes. This one is very important to us. Neither of us ever get rid of an item because it is broken. There will always be a way to to fix it or use the the fabric for something else. It could also be a great opportunity to learn a new skill… Darning, sewing etc
  • We like to reuse every piece go packaging that comes through our door at the shop and at home. It doesn’t matter if it has a life before you…reuse until you can reuse no longer, then recycle!

GABRIELLA BROOKS

ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

GABRIELLA Shop vintage!

@gabriella_brooks

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

GABRIELLA

  • Borrow your friend’s clothes.
  • Re-wear clothes to events.
  • Shop vintage.
  • Shop sustainable labels.
  • Donate/sell your old clothes when you’re done with them. Extend that life cycle!

GIULIA MARSICO


ELLISS What do you find is the best way to shop sustainably?

GIULIA I try and capsule my wardrobe. Buying less stuff and buying quality and timeless items go in hand in hand in being sustainable. The more quality you buy, the less it falls apart and the less you’re cycling out of clothing

@scientwehst

ELLISS What are your top 5 tips for a more sustainable everyday life?

GIULIA

  • Buy local! Especially groceries.
  • Buy secondhand.
  • Minimise your plastic waste by carrying around your favourite tote bag for groceries.
  • Learn more about how your favourite brands are packaging items.
  • Avoid fast fashion.