Tips for a More Intentional (And Sustainable!) Wardrobe

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing only for it to sit in your closet, unworn (or, nearly so), for years on end?

Of course you have.

‍

When it comes to online shopping, we are all susceptible to impulse purchases that we may later regret. ⁠But it’s become harder than ever to sidestep the marketing ploys that make these purchases seem so appealing.⁠

‍

From limited-time offers to countdown timers, brands leverage consumers’ sense of “FOMO” to encourage impulse shopping behavior and the accompanying dopamine rush of buying something new.⁠

‍

These marketing tactics make it easier than ever to end up with a closet full of items yet nothing to wear, but we’re here to help.

‍

Here are our top tips for curating a more intentional - and therefore, more sustainable - wardrobe.

‍

Catalog Your Closet: You can’t know what you might need if you don’t know what you have. Indyx is a great tool to document and gain visibility into what you already own, style new outfits, and track what you're actually wearing (or, not...). Not up for the job on your own? Indyx even has Archivists in many U.S. cities who will digitize your wardrobe on your behalf, so you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting.

‍

p.s. Use code “Beni” when you download and sign up for the Indyx app to add a $10 credit to your account.

‍

Understand Your Style: Before trying to buy a whole new wardrobe, it’s important to understand your personal style and how the items you already have play into that. Since Indyx has access to your real closet, their expert stylists are uniquely positioned to find new combinations you'll love from all the things you already have. Their services are 100% digital, which means that you’ll receive everything via the app in just a few days, including your expertly styled outfits and any completely personalized shopping recommendations.

‍

Get Rid of Unwanted Clothes Responsibly: Once you have a better handle on your style, it's sometimes necessary to edit your closet to better match this new perspective. If there are clothes that have run their course or that no longer meet your needs, here’s how to make sure they’re properly re-used, recycled or donated.

‍

Shop Secondhand First: When you’re ready to buy, check resale sites before defaulting to new to save some money and make your purchase more sustainable. If you’re new to shopping secondhand, Beni makes it easier than ever by showing you resale deals while you shop. You can browse items on your favorite sites like normal, and the Beni browser extension (on mobile or desktop) will pop up if it finds the same or similar item on a resale site.

‍

Make More Sustainable Choices: If you’re not able to find something secondhand, it’s okay to buy new, but there are certain things to keep in mind for a more sustainable approach. Embrace a mindset that these are permanent additions to your wardrobe. This will help you prioritize quality over quantity, investing in pieces you can imagine yourself wearing for many years to come. Opting for eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester, and supporting brands committed to fair labor practices is also a great idea.

‍

Ready to rebuild your wardrobe? Download Indyx to digitize your closet and curate your style, then download Beni to update it with high quality, secondhand pieces.

‍