▲Knowing which fabrics were used goes a long way. Clothes are largely made from synthetic materials, but those have a significant environmental impact and contribute to ocean pollution. Here are some of the most toxic fabrics...

▲Polyester is the most common synthetic fabric. The fabric is a form of plastic and contains crude oil, which basically means that every time you wash your clothes, you're contributing to ocean pollution in a very subtle way.

▲This fiber is derived from petroleum and coal, and contributes to environmental degradation and global warming.

▲Acrylic is made of polyacrylonitrile. The advantage of this fabric is that it's cheap, but according to the EPA, it may cause cancer.

▲Select natural fiber clothing such as cotton, silk, wool, linen, and cashmere.

▲Do some research on your favorite brands. Do they contribute to the sustainability of fashion or do they contribute to pollution?

▲Fair trade clothing basically ensures that producers in developing countries have been paid fair prices. Buying fair trade clothing is a good start if you want to become a more conscious consumer.

▲Buying recycled clothes, from thrift stores or charity shops, is a good way to both avoid textile waste and help those in need.

▲Use microfiber laundry filters when washing your synthetic and semi-synthetic garments. You can place the items in filter bags or put laundry balls into your washing machine. That way, the microplastics are captured.

▲Perhaps the easiest way to shop more sustainably is to simply give up buying fast fashion clothing and to invest in environmentally and socially responsible brands.

▲According to a 2017 study from ScienceDaily, shopping trips have a big climate impact partly due to the process of driving to different stores.

▲Vintage clothes play a big role in making fashion more sustainable. By reusing clothes that have already been worn, you're not encouraging the production of more throw-away fashion.

▲The myth that secondhand clothes are not on trend is false. Fashion is a cycle anyway, and older styles always come back! Since the garment has already been created, sold, and worn, you're not participating in the fast fashion cycle.

▲Yes, it's easier said than done. But ask yourself the following questions before buying something new: Do I really need it? Don't I have a similar item already? Am I really going to wear this?

▲Renting clothes is also changing the fashion industry. It's a way of renewing your wardrobe every now and then without amassing too much, and when you're bored of them, you can return them!

▲Go for quality rather than quantity. Key steps to progress involve not only buying less, but also investing in clothes that will work all year round.

▲Another way of simplifying your wardrobe is to invest in classics such as a white shirt, jeans, boots, a little black dress, and simple shirts.

▲Try not to buy new things at all. Put yourself on the "no shopping challenge" for five months, eight months, or even a whole year. Not only will your wallet thank you, but you'll be less inclined to throw clothes away while also making better use of the clothes you already have.

▲It seems like a normal thing to do, yet this is not everyone's normal. The better you take care of your clothes, the longer you'll be able to wear them. This also means that you'll be less tempted to buy new garments.

▲Donate the clothes you don't want or wear anymore to a good cause and simultaneously help those in need to be more sustainable. Try to, for example, donate an old garment every time you buy something new.

▲Take your own reusable shopping bag in order to cut down on plastic usage.

▲Conventional sunglasses are mostly made of non-biodegradable plastic which contributes to the pollution of our environment. Instead, invest in eco-friendly sunglasses made with natural, sustainable materials.

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Don't be quick to throw away your clothes when it rips, but learn how to repair your garments or to let a professional do it.

Check out which celebrities are championing sustainable fashion on the red carpet.

▲Most of the time we tend to forget about shoes when talking about sustainable fashion. Brands like 'Veja' make eco-friendly sneakers using organic materials.

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Fast fashion has become a very popular term in the past few years, and not for the right reasons. Although it is cheap, it is monstrously harmful to the environment. It's the second-biggest consumer of water, and even generates more greenhouse gas emissions than international flights and maritime shipping.

While it is not easy to slow down on fast fashion, there are many simple tips you can follow to buy more sustainably.