How to Be Sustainable With Your Clothes on Holiday

Planning your next trip? 

Whether it’s a little getaway, a longer holiday, or a backpacking adventure, it’s easy to get tempted by trends and new travel clothes that… you’re NEVER going to wear again.

So, since we can tell you’re an eco-conscious consumer, we’ll share our simple tips to be more sustainable with your clothes on holiday (while looking and feeling just as fab).

The problem with holiday clothes and travel wardrobes

Social media keeps fuelling the idea that you should have new outfits (or even an entire aesthetic) for each holiday and look different in every photo. So, many people see their travel clothes as separate from their usual wardrobe.

The consequences? Before a holiday, they buy brand new clothes on a whim that:

• They're only going to wear once (to give you an idea, it happens to 50 million summer outfits... and that's in the UK alone!)
• They won't end up wearing at all

This fuels overconsumption, supports cheap fast fashion brands with a high environmental and human cost, and generates ridiculous quantities of waste.

And that’s not the vibe for your holiday, is it?

5 tips to be sustainable with your holiday clothes 

In a nutshell, the best thing you can do with your “holiday wardrobe” is… to not treat it as a separate holiday wardrobe! 

But don’t worry: that doesn’t mean your outfits will look boring. Nuh-uh!

1. “Shop” your holiday clothes… in your wardrobe

I'm not saying you won’t ever need to buy new holiday clothes again, but do resist that initial temptation.

I’m willing to bet your wardrobe is filled with forgotten favourites, versatile gems, and garments that would be perfect for a sunset in Mykonos or a stroll around Prague.

So, get everything out and go through it with that mindset. As for what to look for…

2. Master the trick of creating several outfits with the same holiday clothes

First things first: there is nothing wrong with repeat outfits. But I won’t judge you if you don’t wish to look the exact same in all your travel photos.

So, when looking for the right holiday clothes in your existing wardrobe, focus on:

• Versatile garments – Basics, neutrals, and monochrome pieces are easy to pair up with multiple outfits (for example, a white t-shirt can go with shorts, a skirt, long trousers, jeans, and even underneath a spaghetti strap dress)
• Strategic statement pieces – Rather than bringing multiple clashing ones, consider having a couple of attention-grabbing items (like patterned or particularly colourful garments) that go well with multiple basics. I usually take a colourful skirt and a bright pair of shorts, and I combine them with different monochrome tops in simple designs, but you might want to do the opposite 
• Multi-purpose items – You don’t always need to have different garments for different occasions! For example, the right dress can be worn when sightseeing during the daytime and for a romantic dinner under those foreign skies
• Layers and accessories – These can also give a completely different vibe to the same items

3. Only buy holiday clothes you need (and choose sustainable ones)

It might be that, even after you’ve done all this, you still need something. In that case, buy holiday clothes sustainably by: 

• Thinking beyond this specific trip – Try to ignore the hottest trends and throwaway pieces promoted by fast fashion. Instead, invest in items you can see yourself wearing for multiple holidays (for example, a timeless swimsuit) or even better: throughout the rest of the year, too
• Keeping your existing wardrobe in mind – When purchasing new holiday clothes, look for pieces that go well with some of your usual outfits. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with something that looks good on its own but… because it doesn’t go with much? It’ll just gather dust at the back of your wardrobe 
• Choosing sustainable holiday clothes – Instead of buying lots of fast fashion clothes that were literally designed to fall apart after a few wearings, invest in fewer and higher-quality staples, made ethically and to last. On Project Cece, we brought hundreds of fairtrade clothes in one place and added filters to simplify your choices

4. Think before buying technical outerwear and sports gear

Your usual clothes will be just as perfect for most holidays. But what about ski trips, camping, trekking, or other adventures in the wilderness?

On top of the usual waste, technical clothes often involve petroleum-derived synthetic fabrics and harsh chemicals to make them waterproof. So, if you’re only planning on wearing them once, that’d be bad news for the environment.

You could consider:

• Investing in high-quality outerwear and gear that’ll last you for years to come – For example, this is the best choice if you’re already planning your next adventure or if you tend to go on ski trips every year. Choose durable items made by sustainable brands (for example, some use recycled materials to minimise their footprint). Bonus points if they offer repair services or take-back schemes
• Renting it – If this trip is just a one-off and you won’t use that gear or technical clothing again, renting it would be better for both the planet and your wallet. For example, Outdoorhire offers this option in the UK, and Decathlon has it in some mainland Europe countries (or, depending on your location and holiday, try a Google search: the specific type of clothes or gear you need, “rental”, and “in [your country]”)

5. Don’t forget about your (impulse) purchases on holiday

By now, you’re pretty much ready to pack. There’s just one last tip I wanted to share so that you can keep it in mind when you’re away. 

Before buying any clothes on holiday, ask yourself: do I really want this? And will I wear it at least 30 times once I get home?

And especially:

• Avoid tacky souvenir t-shirts you’re not going to wear again
• If you do buy something, consider supporting locals and choosing a piece of clothing or jewellery that was hand-made or produced in that area (you’ll also cut the middle man, reduce additional transport emissions, and support that community)

Remember: the most sustainable travel clothes are already in your wardrobe, and if you do need to buy new ones, think beyond this trip. 

Oh, and have the best time on holiday!

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