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What is the garment made from? - 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...

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Polyester - 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.

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

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

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Choose natural fibers - Select natural fiber clothing such as cotton, silk, wool, linen, and cashmere.

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

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Buy fair trade clothes - 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.

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

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Put your clothes in filter bags - 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.

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Give up fast fashion brands - 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.

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

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Shop vintage - 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.

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Secondhand clothes - 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.

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Buy less - 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?

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Rent your items - 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!

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Simplify your closet - 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.

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Invest in classics - 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.

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No shopping challenge - 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. 

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Take care of your clothes - 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.

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Donate your clothes - 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.

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Invest in sustainable shoes - 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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Ban the use of plastic shopping bags - Take your own reusable shopping bag in order to cut down on plastic usage.

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Don't forget the sunglasses - 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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Repair your clothes -

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. 

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