The Eco Experiment

The Eco-Conscious Closet

Hello Reader,

Want to build an eco-conscious closet? Use one of these 5 Techniques To Achieve A Truly Green Wardrobe :)

I have worked in the sustainability field for seven years. My journey toward understanding true sustainability began while preparing for the LEED AP certification.

Over these seven years, I conducted extensive research and spoke with numerous experts in sustainable fashion.

As sustainability trends, fashion brands are extensively greenwashing! From these experiences, I’ve identified several critical factors for recognizing sustainable fashion brands and practical ways to dress sustainably.

Would you like to hear a simple secret?

Depending on the situation and the brand, I use one of the five verification techniques outlined below whenever I need to evaluate whether a brand is genuinely sustainable and to prevent greenwashing.

Technique number five is the most practical and can be applied to nearly any situation, so read to the end. :)

Technique #1: The Certification Check

Here’s how it works:

Look for credible third-party certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or the Fairtrade Textile Standard. (I will cover all the certifications in the upcoming newsletter, so stay tuned)
Verify the certification on the organization’s official website.
Check if the certification is current.

This filters out greenwashing claims. According to Changing Markets Foundation's 2021 report, nearly 60% of sustainability claims by fashion brands are unsubstantiated or misleading.

Technique #2: The Material Deep Dive

Here’s how it works:

Check the complete fabric composition - not just the highlighted “eco” material
Find out the exact percentage of recycled content used
Learn how the material was processed

Technique #3: The Transparency Test

Here’s how it works:

Avoid brands using vague terms like “eco-friendly” without specifics
Support brands openly sharing supply chain information and manufacturing locations
If you seek concrete facts, you will discover that many sustainable brands lack transparency (Fashion Revolution's 2023 Transparency Index indicates that the average score is only 26%).

Easy, right?

Technique #4: The Full-Picture Assessment

Here’s how it works:

Check if the brand addresses all sustainability aspects: materials, labor, packaging, shipping, waste
Look for holistic approaches instead of single-issue improvements
Note if their business model encourages overconsumption or longevity

If you do these three things, you'll identify truly comprehensive sustainability efforts using criteria similar to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition's Higg Index methodology.

Technique #5: Long-Term Value Calculation

Here’s how it works:

Calculate cost-per-wear instead of initial price (Good On You recommends 30+ wears per item via their #30wears campaign)
Invest in quality pieces that last longer and reduce overall consumption
Consider secondhand first – the UN Environment Programme reports 85% of textiles end up in landfills annually

That’s it!

Remember: 67% of consumers now consider sustainability when buying fashion (McKinsey's "The State of Fashion 2020" report).

Your choice matters!

The Eco Sheroes Podcast

Meet Araceli Gallego from Goshopia 🌟

This episode of The Eco Sheroes Podcast will give you an unfiltered reality check on the fashion industry and its problems!

Araceli Gallego is a sustainable fashion advocate, speaker, and serial entrepreneur.

Passionate about fashion, and once she learned the ugly side behind the industry’s glam, she decided to show that another fashion was possible—one that could contribute positively to people’s lives while respecting the planet.

Co-founder of Goshopia.com, the Sustainable Souk, the Sustainable Fashion Expo, and Dubai Fashion News. She is also the UAE Fashion Revolution Country Coordinator and Project Manager, writer, podcaster, storyteller, and a curious mind with a love affair with life 🙂

All her contact details are mentioned in the Episode Shownotes.

You can watch the episode on YouTube here.