Sustainable style starts with colour
We’ve all been guilty of fast fashion mistakes – buying that on-trend dress or a cheap top on a whim, only to wear it once (or not at all), leaving a wardrobe full of unworn items – and a lot of waste. In fact, studies suggest the average person wears only about 20% of their wardrobe¹ – the rest just languishes unused or ends up in landfill.
How can we break this cycle and make our style more sustainable? One answer that helps is colour analysis. By knowing the colours that truly suit you, you can build a more intentional, eco-friendly wardrobe.
Fewer Fashion Mistakes, Less Waste
Every wardrobe cast-off is money spent and resources wasted. When you know your ideal colours, you’re far less likely to make those wrong colour purchases that never see daylight again. Consider this:
Buy less, choose well: Colour analysis acts as a filter. If that beautiful coat comes only in a shade that doesn’t flatter you, you’ll walk away rather than buy it. Instead, you might wait for one in your colour, or skip it entirely.
No more “wardrobe orphans”: We often buy a standout piece on impulse, but it doesn’t go with anything else we own. If you stick to your palette, new additions will harmonise easily with what you already own, so everything gets used.
Mindful trend adoption: Having a defined colour palette helps you participate in trends more mindfully. You won’t be swayed by every new colour each season. If neon lime green isn’t in your palette, you’ll confidently pass it by, avoiding trend-driven buying mistakes.
A Capsule Wardrobe Through Colour
One of the pillars of sustainable fashion is the capsule wardrobe – a small, cohesive collection of clothes that mix and match efficiently. Colour analysis is like a cheat sheet for creating a capsule wardrobe that truly works for you.
When all your clothes share a similar colour tone, you can pair any top with almost any bottom and it will look good. You get more outfits from fewer pieces.
Signature style, less clutter: Over time, your wardrobe develops a clear colour signature (say, calm Summer pastels or rich Autumn tones). This not only makes your style feel more “you,” but also reduces clutter. You won’t be as tempted by off-palette items, because you know what works for you.
Also makes packing for your holidays much simpler!
Invest in Longevity, Not Landfill
Building a sustainable style isn’t just about buying less – it’s about buying smarter. Colour analysis and capsule wardrobes encourage quality over quantity in a few ways:
Confidence to invest: Once you know your best colours, you can confidently invest in a slightly pricier, better quality coat or dress in that hue, knowing it will look great on you and you’ll wear it for years. It’s less likely to end up in the donation pile next season.
Passing on throwaway fashion: When you build your wardrobe intentionally, each purchase is considered. This mindset helps break the habit of buying cheap, throwaway clothes. You’ll find more joy in re-wearing favourites styled in new ways since everything works together.
You’ll love every piece you own and wear it confidently, which is the ultimate goal of sustainable style – loving what you have and wasting less, whilst still enjoying dressed every day!
