What is circular fashion?

The definition of circular fashion

In short, circular fashion can be defined as a system where fashion items are designed, sourced and produced with the intention of as little waste and pollution as possible. Every resource is valuable, and nothing is labelled disposable. Waste is just another resource in disguise. Not only that: this system strives to prolong the life of clothing in every way possible – from repairing to upcycling to reusing it all over again. In an ideal world, the cycle of each fashion piece never ends as it transforms into a new existence again and again.

What circular fashion really looks like

It is no surprise circular fashion doesn’t just entail a few sustainable brands to add to your eco-friendly wishlist. This concept links to the circular economy that has become relevant due to the current climate crisis – realizing we can’t just take and take forever. 

Circular fashion is the 360° solution to endless buying and disposing of everything after a too-short while – starting with using as little as possible in the first place. Second-hand markets are also part of the circular fashion system as they keep unwanted clothing in the loop. That includes a more affordable concept of clothing swaps, paying with your preloved clothes instead of hard-earned cash. Next comes repairing and upcycling of the items that need mending. The best circular fashion brands design collections that are durable and survive over numerous fashion seasons. They also make the items of deadstock fabrics or old clothing, giving a new life to fashion pieces less fortunate. 

What’s more, new business models keep popping up to make the circular economy a reality. One of the most popular concepts in circular fashion is clothing rentals. While this way of utilizing clothes isn’t new, borrowing a fashion piece for a casual night out does seem out-of-the-ordinary to some. Rest assured, the clothing rental market is expected to almost double by 2025, making it one of the most dynamic sectors of fashion this decade. 

How to dress circular today

We can talk about circular fashion for ages, but the real issue lies in how to make your wardrobe circular. Here are a few simple and practical tips of what you can do today and any day after that. 

• Go through your wardrobe before getting anything new. Who knows – you might have forgotten about a fashion piece that you will need next week.
• Look after your clothes and mend them when needed. If the damage is beyond repair, why not upcycle it? 
• Only buy what you know you will want to wear for more than one season, ideally years to come. Always think durable first, trendy second.
• If you can choose anything, go first for the second-hand options that close the loop on fashion items no longer wanted. 
• Why not attend a clothing swap or organize one yourself? You can also try an online platform like Swopped (The UK) or The Swapshop (NL).
• For your next event or an upcoming season, try a clothing rental active in your city and borrow something you need for just a little while. 
• Educate yourself on the impact of fashion. Share your findings and encourage others to do the same. 
• Avoid brands that don’t try hard enough, especially if they keep supporting toxic throw-away culture. 

The future of (circular) fashion 

What does the future of fashion look like? There are numerous think-pieces about where fashion is heading. Looking at what is happening around us, from climate change to overconsumption, circular fashion is the only viable option for the world that wants a future. How long it will take to make fashion circular is the only question left to answer when it comes to the future of fashion.