It’s easy to be tempted to buy new clothes every season. A quick scroll through your social media accounts results in being bombarded with tons of clothing items that seem appealing. However, by purchasing new clothes each season, we are contributing to a tremendous amount of waste. After only a few wears of a garment, it will likely end up in a landfill.
This summer, instead of buying a whole new wardrobe, consider investing in a few high-quality Summer accessories that will spruce up your outfits without creating a lot of waste. In addition to buying less, take some time to do a bit of research on each company to see if their products are sustainable. By supporting eco-friendly businesses, you are helping the planet rather than harming it!
To get you started, here are some go-to summer accessories that you will certainly wear again and again.
Oversized Sunglasses
Every woman should own a pair of oversized sustainable sunglasses for use in the summer. They are always in style and make a statement with little effort. When you are outside on a really sunny day, large sunglasses do a better job of blocking the sunlight than a lot of trendy narrow styles. You can also wear them on a day when you don’t feel like doing your makeup and no one will be any the wiser.
Stackable Bracelets
As you will be wearing less clothes than in colder months, summer is the best time of the year to make a statement with your jewelry. It’s also a time when you can have more fun with casual jewelry, from layered necklaces to stackable bracelets. To create your own bracelet stack, collect all different kinds of bracelets, from bangles to bead bracelets and wear them together. There are a lot of companies who create sustainable jewelry, including some that give back to great causes, from saving the polar bears to removing plastic trash from the ocean.
Floppy Hat
Another beach staple, a floppy hat made of straw is a must in the summer time. A floppy hat is like wearing your own personal sun umbrella, blocking the sun from your face to protect your skin and shield your eyes. Whether you are reading a book in the park or strolling with your loved one in the sand, a floppy hat provides the right amount of shade and style. Just don’t wear yours on a very windy day!
Slide Sandals
Most women already have a pair or more of sandals in their closets, but if you don’t, we’d recommend investing in one pair of high-quality slides. When you’re in a hurry or headed somewhere like the beach or a yoga class, there is truly no better shoe style than slide-on sandals. There are endless styles of sandals out there to suit your tastes, but ultimately these shoes are about ease of use and comfort.
Bucket Bag
For carrying your laptop, beach towel, or picnic blanket, a bucket bag is a great do-it-all summer accessories bag. The best way to shop sustainably is to choose items that are multi-purpose, and this type of bag is definitely one of those. It is nice enough to wear to the office and can also be dressed down for an afternoon spent outside.
Lightweight Scarf
You might not think of scarves as summer essentials, but a lightweight version is very useful in warmer months. If you’re feeling chilly in the office air conditioning or didn’t realize how much the temperature was going to drop at night, your summer scarf can act as a shawl to keep you warm. When not in use, you can simply store it in your bag or tie it around your bag strap to summer accessorize. Summer scarves are also perfect for plane trips as they can act as a blanket in your seat.
The next time you are at a clothing store, try to avoid impulse buys and focus on making conscious decisions. By shopping less for clothing and instead adding only one or two new versatile accessories each season, you are inadvertently reducing your carbon footprint. This in turn benefits wildlife conservation, helps reduce plastic pollution, and helps the environment!