Sustainable Style: Sophisticated, Timeless, and Good for the Environment

Every morning, millions of us face a dilemma: what to wear. But behind this daily ritual, something is becoming impossible to ignore: our planet. Mounting environmental challenges means our style choices carry more weight than ever. Fast fashion has transformed men's clothing from durable investments to disposable commodities. But sustainable style isn't out of reach. And it doesn't mean sacrificing sophisticated style.

Keep reading to learn tips about making your style more sustainable. You'll see how sustainability and timeless style go hand-in-hand. But first, let's set the table and discuss what exactly sustainable style is.

What is sustainable style?

The evidence is right in front of us in black and white. The fashion industry produces 100 billion garments annually, and 87% of them pollute the air in landfills. 4% of greenhouse gases are emitted by the clothing industry. (That's the same amount as Germany, France and the United Kingdom combined.) Clothing manufacturers flush toxic dyes and heavy metals into clean water, harming people, animals and ecosystems. The list goes on and on.

The sustainable fashion movement wants to change that. It aims to shift the clothing industry and consumers towards sustainable practices and away from the fast fashion models. Sustainable fashion wants to build an ecological and socially responsible clothing supply chain.

Now you're thinking, "I'm one person. What can I do about a huge problem?"

Honestly? You might not have to do much. And the best part? Sustainable and timeless styles, like a navy suit and a burgundy tie, complement each other.

Let's get into sustainable style practices you can implement that are good for the environment and for your effortless, elegant style. (Warning: You might be doing some of these already.)

1. Invest in Quality Over Quantity

We won't sugarcoat it. Buying higher quality, more sustainable clothing will likely cost more money. But think of it this way: yes, it's pricey, but you'll have it longer and buy less each season in the long run. The change in mindset from buying cheaper, less sustainable pieces to purchasing a few high-quality items a year will reduce your environmental impact.

You'll look more stylish too! A fine merino crewneck sweater has a richer hue than an acrylic one. A fresco wool suit will drape better than low-quality wool or polyester. So plan, invest, look sharp, and do your part while looking the part.

2. Celebrate Going Natural

High-quality pieces are often made with natural materials. Choose clothing made with natural fibres rather than synthetic fabrics. Enjoy the luxurious feeling when you slip on Egyptian cotton dress socks. Wrap yourself with warmth in a wool sweater. Natural materials breathe and feel more comfortable against your skin than synthetics like polyester, nylon and acrylic.

But you can also keep an eye out for innovative materials like Modal and Lyocell that offer a soft fabric with minimal environmental impact.

3. Sustainable Style Makes Versatility a Priority

Quality, natural materials and versatility are three pillars of sustainable style. Building a versatile wardrobe supports you from a crisp winter's day to a warm summer night. Chasing trends and stuffing your closet with single-season (and single-use) wonders fails to support sustainable style—while creating timeless outfits more challenging.

A tailored navy suit jacket you can wear as a full suit on Monday and then with chinos on Friday makes for a great piece in your arsenal. A crisp white dress shirt that transitions from boardroom to bar shields you from the destructive cycle of seasonal overconsumption. And they look damn stylish, too.

4. Adjust How You Spend Money When You Buy New

Shifting your mindset towards sustainable style isn't just about choosing quality over quantity. You also need to change how you spend your money when buying new pieces. Think investment.

Rather than saying, "That costs more than three of my old shoes combined." Consider that you will only buy one pair of leather dress shoes for work for the foreseeable future. Take care of those shoes, and you'll step into every room looking stylish for years.

5. Take Care of Your Clothes

Sounds obvious, but it's crucial to sustainable style. Buying well-made, higher-quality clothes will last longer, especially if you care for them. Proper washing and storage means you'll have to replace items less often.

Make friends with your washing machine's gentle cycle for fine silks and wool. Wash your denim inside out. Handwash dress socks. Skip the dryer and air dry instead. Never stuff and overcrowd pieces in your dresser or closet. Give them room to breathe, and your clothes will stay looking their best longer.

6. Repair, Revive, and Revitalize Your Clothes

Don't head for the trashcan right away when a seam rips or fabric snags. Divert waste from landfills by repairing clothes and accessories. Grab a needle and thread to give new life to a classic piece.

Repair the snag on your grenadine tie. Patch up the seam on your trousers. Sew back the button of that crisp dress shirt that helped you close so many deals.

Find yourself a good tailor to make repairs. And a cobbler to resole the dress shoes you wore when you learned about your promotion. Use a sustainable style mindset to think twice about buying something new.

7. Give Your Clothes a Second Chapter: Donate or Resell

That suit gathering dust at the back of your closet could be someone else's treasure, waiting to elevate their confidence for a job interview or their first day at the office. Donating or reselling clothes is more than just clearing space. It's about reducing the endless cycle of production and waste in the clothing industry.

Use the one-in, one-out philosophy and turn new purchases into opportunities for generosity. Bringing home a new winter coat means you can help someone stay warm by donating your old one. Every piece of clothing has numerous stories to tell—it's up to us to turn the page for their next chapter.

8. Have you heard of the 30 Wears Challenge?

Thirty wears. That's the benchmark coined by Livia Firth and journalist Lucy Siegle to encourage shoppers to consider if they'd wear a piece thirty times before buying it. Pausing and imagining thirty moments when you'll reach for the item before purchasing is a meaningful exercise.

The 30 Wears Challenge helps you imagine thirty occasions where it will make you feel confident, comfortable, and your best self. It adds thoughtfulness to the equation rather than impulse. It empowers you to build a wardrobe of timeless pieces that will journey with you through years, not just seasons.

You can't make systemic changes alone.

But every little bit counts. And we customers can collectively make the fashion industry change its model from one based on price and volume to value. There's hope in the simple decisions we make every morning. Whenever we choose quality over quantity or give clothing new life, we vote for a sustainable and stylish future.

Refined essentials make sustainable style possible.