Every Earth Day brings a pause. A moment to look around and reflect on the choices we make every day. This Earth Day, let’s start that reflection with our closets. Imagine this. You pick out a shirt to wear today. Maybe it’s soft cotton, worn in just right. But have you ever wondered about the journey it took to get to you? The dyes, the water, the hands that stitched it? Fashion, for all its beauty, has a footprint, and it's bigger than most of us realise.

But here's the thing: change doesn’t have to be radical. It starts with a single choice. Choosing quality over quantity. Swapping fast fashion for timeless pieces. Mending instead of tossing. This Earth Day, let’s reimagine fashion not just as a way to express who we are, but as a way to care for the planet we call home.

At Nete, sustainability isn't a trend; it's a commitment. A stylish commitment. We’re proud to host brands that are redefining fashion through conscious practices, ethical production, and timeless design. In one of our previous blogs, we spoke about the top 10 must-have sustainable basics for every closet. This Earth Day, let’s walk you through how to build a wardrobe that loves the planet as much as it loves you.

1. Buy Less, Choose Well

Let’s start with the golden rule of sustainable fashion. The most earth-friendly outfit is the one you already own. Before adding anything new, take stock of what you have. Can it be restyled, repaired, or re-worn in a new way? Slow fashion means slowing down our consumption and choosing quality over quantity. When you do decide to shop, invest in pieces that last. Look for timeless cuts, neutral palettes, and versatile styles. Brands like O’ Frida and Doodlage excel in creating elevated basics and structured separates that stand the test of time.

2. Know Your Fabrics

The fabric of your clothing plays a huge role in its environmental impact. Natural, organic, and biodegradable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and Tencel are great choices. They use less water, fewer chemicals, and break down more easily after their lifecycle.

At Nete, we curate pieces crafted from eco-conscious materials. Mati, for instance, works extensively with handwoven cottons dyed with AZO-free dyes, while The Summer House focuses on Tencel, banana fabric, and organic cotton. Recently, we onboarded a fantastic, young brand called Alternative, which boasts of corn husk, milk, orange peel, and aloe vera-infused fabric. Isn’t that cool? When you have alternative fabrics in the market, it’s easier to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon that are derived from fossil fuels and shed microplastics with every wash. 

3. Support Ethical Production

Fast fashion thrives on low-cost labour and exploitative working conditions. Ethical fashion, on the other hand, values the hands behind the clothes. It supports fair wages, safe working environments, and the livelihoods of artisans. Brands like Harkoi Studio and Raasa are deeply committed to ethical practices, often working directly with weavers, craftspeople, and local communities. When you support these brands, you’re not just buying a product. You’re sustaining a craft and a culture.

4. Go Local, Shop Small

Supporting homegrown labels is a powerful way to reduce the carbon footprint of your wardrobe. Shipping products across continents contributes significantly to emissions. By choosing local, small-batch brands, you're minimising transport pollution and encouraging a circular economy. Nete is proud to champion Indian designers and local crafts. Brands like Maison Qala and Studio Banera focus on indigenous textiles and traditional techniques. Each piece is a celebration of Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary twist.

5. Embrace Upcycling and Recycling

One person’s waste is another’s wardrobe win. Upcycled fashion utilises discarded materials such as textile waste AND deadstock fabric, and gives them a second life. It’s creativity meeting consciousness. Doodlage, a frontrunner in upcycled fashion, transforms fabric waste into edgy, one-of-a-kind pieces. Something Sustainable and Unpurl also incorporates upcycling into their collections, adding a unique character to each garment. Shopping from such brands helps divert waste from landfills and adds individuality to your closet. Check out our blog, where we shared creative ways to give old clothes a new life.

6. Choose Versatile Pieces

An earth-friendly wardrobe is a smart one. Look for pieces that can be styled multiple ways: dresses that double as jackets, separates that can be layered, or co-ords that can be worn together or apart. Three and Rafud offer modular clothing designed for repeat wear in different ways. With intentional styling, you can do more with less and stretch your wardrobe without stretching the planet’s resources.

7. Wash With Care

Sustainable fashion doesn’t stop at the checkout. How you care for your clothes matters too. Washing less frequently, using cold water, and line drying can significantly reduce your environmental impact. Stick to eco-friendly detergents and wash synthetics in a microplastic-catching laundry bag. Most clothes don’t need a wash after every wear. Let them air out, spot-clean when needed, and cherish them like the treasures they are.

8. Repair, Reuse, Repeat

Wear and tear are inevitable. But it doesn’t mean the end of the road for your clothes. Learn some basic repair techniques (a needle and thread can go a long way), or take your garments to a tailor for a fix or an update. At Nete, we advocate for mindful mending and even offer repair resources to help you extend the life of your clothing. Whether it's darning a tear or replacing a button, choosing repair over replacement is a powerful, sustainable act.

9. Resell or Donate Responsibly

Eventually, you may outgrow a piece - literally or stylistically. But don’t just toss it. Resell gently worn items or donate to organisations that ensure clothes reach people in need, not landfills. Choose donation centers or recycling programs that sort, reuse, and recycle responsibly. And if you’re unsure, reach out to us. Nete is always here to guide you toward more conscious clothing cycles.

Make Mindful Fashion a Habit, Not an Option

Earth Day is a great time to take stock, but sustainability is a daily decision. The more you practice mindful fashion, the more intuitive it becomes. With each purchase, ask yourself: Who made this? What is it made of? How long will it last? Your wardrobe should reflect not just your personal style, but your personal values. And when you align the two, you don’t just dress well; you live well.

Sustainable fashion isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Every conscious choice, however small, contributes to a larger movement. And with platforms like ours, making mindful fashion more accessible than ever, there’s never been a better time to start. This Earth Day, let’s move beyond hashtags and into habits. Let’s choose garments that feel good, do good, and look good - for you and the Earth.