Going green is more than a passing fad. It’s greater than a temporary movement. It’s a critical part of the future. However, there are many times that environmentally friendly activities can hamper or even undo a well-groomed social image.
Here are a few suggestions for the best ways to be green while still looking good.
Tailor Your Transportation
Transportation is one of the biggest forms of pollution on the planet. The simple act of getting in your car every day to drive from point A to point B can dramatically increase your carbon footprint.
That said, your mode of transport is a common target when it comes to going green. There are multiple ways that you can tailor your transportation needs without making yourself look ridiculous in the process. For instance, you can:
- Use a bike: If you live in an urban area or a location where your transportation needs don’t go very far, consider getting a bike. This eliminates your fossil fuel consumption in one sweeping move. If you want to avoid arriving at places soaked in sweat, get an electric bicycle to reduce your physical efforts.
- Get an electric vehicle: Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common. So are their charging stations. Both advancements in mileage and lowering prices are making electric vehicles more attractive, as well. An EV can be a great way to adjust your transportation without compromising on how you look while you travel.
- Work from home: This used to be a far-fetched idea for many. However, the coronavirus pandemic has opened many employer’s eyes to the value of a remote workforce. Try to capitalize on this by working from home whenever you can. This can be either full-time or part-time. Either way, it reduces your need to travel. It also allows you to hop onto a trend that is becoming more popular every day.
From biking to EVs to working remotely, there are plenty of ways to adjust your transportation without sacrificing your image. On the contrary, we’ve gotten to the point where rolling up in an eco-friendly form of transport will only increase your charismatic vibe.
Invest in Sustainable Fashion
One of the biggest areas of concern is clothing. The ability to dress in cutting-edge apparel is often diametrically opposed to the welfare of the environment. Excessive wardrobes and fast fashion, in particular, is a very destructive force of nature. It creates enormous amounts of waste and should be avoided wherever possible.
However, eschewing fast fashion doesn’t have to equate to giving up on fashion. On the contrary, there are many ways that you can keep up with the trends without impacting the Earth. For example, you can:
- Invest in a capsule wardrobe: This is a popular way to keep your clothing minimal and up-to-date. It involves committing to a tiny collection of clothes, all of which go well together. This lets you capitalize on endless different combinations without ballooning your wardrobe in the process.
- Rent rather than buy outright: There are many businesses that specialize in reselling or renting trendy or designer clothes. ThreadUP is a popular online and brick-and-mortar consignment shop. Rent the Runway allows customers to rent designer apparel as well.
- Buy second hand: This may seem like a step back in keeping up with your style. Nevertheless, the truth is you can often find quality used clothing that is still in vogue — if you’re willing to look for it. As an added bonus, second-hand clothing can be very cheap. By spending a little more time searching, buying second hand can save green in both the form of the planet and your wallet.
Clothing is one of the trickiest areas to stay both green and stylish at the same time. However, if you’re willing to invest some sweat equity and make minor compromises, you can make it work. The important thing is that you take the time to find an option, like those listed above, that lets you have the best of both worlds.
Consider Your Spaces
Another way to go green in style is to look for simple upgrades that you can make throughout your home. There are many ways that you can make your home more eco-friendly while still holding to your standards. A few suggestions include:
- Replacing products: You don’t have to stop using things like household cleaners and beauty products. Sure, many common options have chemical ingredients. However, you can work around this without much trouble. All you have to do is look for earth-friendly alternatives that can still keep your spaces clean and your fashion on point.
- Downsize if you can: Less is more. This applies to many styles as much as it does to the environment. Simple, smaller spaces can help you create a trendy, minimalistic vibe. On top of looking good, this also reduces your overall consumption and needs in a manner that puts the Earth first.
- Be more efficient: Efficiency and productivity never go out of style — even in your living space. Seal leaky windows and doors. Install low-flow water fixtures. Replace appliances with energy-efficient models. By upgrading your space’s efficiency you can go green in cutting-edge style.
From home improvements to eco-friendly products to simple decor, it’s easy to stay fashionable in a sustainable living space.
Maintain Your Mindset
As a final suggestion, strive to go beyond specific activities. In other words, in addition to the recommendations above, also try to keep a “stylishly green” mindset at all times.
This can manifest through minimalist thinking. It can also be attained through being mindful, positive, and thankful. By embracing a “less is more” attitude, you can ensure that you create an eco-friendly-yet-fashionable style that is sustainable over the long-term.
There are many ways to be green throughout your life. And you don’t even have to sacrifice your style to do so. Reducing transportation, avoiding fast fashion, and considering your living spaces are all great ways to be eco-friendly. In addition, it’s easy to go about all three activities while still looking good.
So review your current situation and look for areas where you’re being wasteful. Then brainstorm creative solutions that improve your sustainability while maintaining (or even improving) your style in the process.
