In fashion, the holidays only mean one thing: sale season!

But do we really need new clothes every Christmas or special occasion?

Studies, according to news sites pulsenigeria247 and Sociaty, show that a woman, on average, owns 95 pieces of clothing, but routinely only wears around 12. Most pieces are hidden away in the closet.

A 2022 report by German sustainability think tank Hot or Cool Institute showed that a “sustainable” wardrobe must only have 74 garments, with new pieces of clothing only limited to an average of five per year. 

But in today’s era of fast fashion, the average person, according to United Nations, buys 60 percent more clothing than 15 years ago, “while each item is kept for only half as long.”

Environmental organization Earth.org said fashion is responsible for a quarter of the pollution of the world’s waters and a third of microplastic or toxic substances discharges that are harmful for fish and humans. If, however, every person commits to the 74-garment recommendation, then Hot or Cool Institute said that the planet will be able to meet the target of the Paris agreement that aims to keep global temperature rise at below 1.5 Celsius — a 50-percent reduction in billions of tons of carbon emissions, said global consultancy firm McKinsey & Company.

The box office dominance of superhero movies like “Avengers: Endgame” is proof that many of us aspire to become superheroes. We might not have superpowers, but through pro-active measures starting from our closets, we can save the world — one conscious clothing at a time. Here’s how:

Make styling, not shopping, your therapy

Use and reuse your clothes in rotation by preparing your wardrobe in advance. For example, every Saturday or Sunday, or any day or time that I want to de-stress or clear my head, I look at my closet and experiment on mixing and matching just for fun. 

Then I segregate these clothes and accessories that I mixed and matched, one hanger per combination for example, then put all those combinations in a spot in my closet where I could easily take them out as soon as the need arises. It’s very helpful especially for days when I can’t think of anything to wear or when an “emergency” event comes and I have to be dressed asap. That’s why I prepare looks ranging from casual to work meetings, cocktails and travel.

Don’t be ‘delulu;’ accept and let go

Be honest to yourself: you’re a “delulu” (delusional) to believe that you’d return to that old shape and size you had! Yes, you might get thinner, but by the time you do, you might no longer be interested to use those clothes you kept because they might be out of fashion or no longer suitable to your taste. And then, you keep them again and forget them until they accumulate!

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a closet filled with clothes rarely or never used poses various health problems, ranging from allergies (sneezing, coughing, stuffy or runny nose; throat irritation, chest tightness, shortness of breath and eczema flare-ups) due to dust and parts and droppings of dust mites; and/or exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins from clothes like phthalates, microplastics and heavy metals like lead linked to serious long-term health issues like cancers, reproductive problems and cardiovascular disease. 

So if something is already off — if those pants make you look pregnant or the big print in that shirt falls on the tummy, and again makes you look bloated, if it can’t be altered to suit you, your profession, age, personality and body type, then give it away — even if you haven’t worn it, it’s your favorite or it’s expensive or designer stuff. If it’s an investment piece, auction it off and give the proceeds to charity. As Marie Kondo said, learn to detach and let these clothes “spark joy” to others that would truly use them and not stack them in their closets.