Most of us know that we own way too many clothes. Yet, the fashion industry is always encouraging us to buy more. How can we stop the vicious cycle of consumerism and keep our wardrobes manageable?

I’m so glad you asked! Here are 5 tips to simplify your wardrobe and stop buying so many clothes:

1) Recognize the existence of the fast fashion industry. Not too long ago in history, people dressed for cold weather, less cold weather, warm weather, and hot weather. Now, the fashion industry tells us what is in style and what isn’t, keeping us on the hook to continuously buy more clothes.  Noticing the tactics that fast fashion uses to keep us “on trend” can help us to think about clothes in a different way, and use our clothes in ways that make the most of our money and the world’s resources.

2) When you can afford to, buy quality over quantity. Because fast-fashion clothes are made to last only a short time (as long as the trend lasts), most are cheap and fall apart relatively quickly. This means that we have to replace our clothes often. Slow fashion brands, on the other hand, make clothes in small batches and make them to last a long time, so we rarely need to replace our clothes. When you’re able to afford to buy from slow fashion brands, it pays—literally. You are spending way less money in the long run.

3) Mend when possible, only replace when necessary. When a piece of clothing gets a tear, our first response may be to discard it and get new clothes. But many pieces of clothing can be sewn or mended and used for a longer period of time. If you don’t know how to mend clothes yourself (and you’re not interested in learning), find a family member, friend, or, if you can afford it, a tailor in the area—wearing clothes longer means less need to buy more clothes, and less clothes waste.

4) Only own your favorites; timeless styles can be helpful. It’s tempting to jump on whatever fashion trend is happening in the moment—but honestly, you’re going to typically want to wear your favorite clothes and/or clothing pieces that transcend short-lived fashion trends. It’s estimated that we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time. Pare down your wardrobe to your favorites—clothes that fit you well, and make you feel good. When you do need to replace clothes, look for clothes that are similar to your favorites, and/or timeless styles that don’t fall into short-term fashion trends.

5) Be intentional with how you discard clothes you don’t want anymore. We often think our donated clothes will be resold in our country, but they often end up in a landfill or sent to the Global South. If your clothes are in good condition, donate them to a friend or family member you know will use them, to a place that you know resells a large percentage of what they receive at a very discounted rate, or to a consignment shop. If your clothes are not in good condition—trust me, no one wants them. Recycle them as cleaning rags, use them in projects, or, if you can, discard them with a company that recycles them. It’s estimated that 66% to 85% of global textiles end up in landfills or incinerators, so if there is a way to recycle your clothes, do it!

Jesus reminds us:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and [God’s] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25, 28-33

How is God inviting you to buy less clothing and live more simply?



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Note: A shorter version of this post was used as an audio clip on Premier Christian Radio.