words NATALIE GAL
editor MAREK BARTEK

We see so many people, and probably you too, who carry the familiar weight of climate anxiety – worrying about the future of us and our beloved Earth. Maybe you are one of them. But today, we want to remind you that no matter how discouraging the news might feel, all is not lost. We all play our role in saving the planet, and so every choice we make today can bring a better tomorrow.

Fashion, of course, plays a huge role in our efforts to do better. The topic of fashion and sustainability has long been a part of industry’s daily conversations, and we expanded on it during a recent Amsterdam Fashion Week x Hyundai car-ride series with our editor-in-chief, Timotej Letonja. While Hyundai is known for vehicles, they also actively support voices in fashion, design, and the arts, helping ideas travel further. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Hyundai and Amsterdam Fashion Week joined their forces, and created their car-ride series, spotlighting voices from fashion for the second year in a row.

Hyundai and Amsterdam Fashion Week connected through their shared commitment to sustainability, a partnership close to our hearts at Numéro Netherlands. After all, what is Amsterdam if not a home to artists? Amsterdam Fashion Week is a celebration of the talents who live and create here: designers, artists, creatives, and visionaries shaping the city’s story, today.

Large companies have a vital role to play in sustainability, and more are taking meaningful action. Hyundai, for example, has committed to reducing its environmental footprint, from using recycled materials in its products to aiming for carbon neutrality in its operations. It’s living proof that scale and sustainability can go hand in hand; it’s all about making a clear decision today and staying committed to it.

One of the biggest challenges is that we still do not fully grasp the scale of the damage we are causing. That uncertainty makes it all the more urgent to act now. Today, in this in-between moment, when so much remains unclear, is precisely when our choices matter most.

To truly address the problem, we first need to understand its components: nature, humans, and garments. By breaking these down layer by layer, we can begin to see the heart of the matter. Based on the EU’s vision for 2030, new boundaries are being set to make the sector more sustainable – for example, making pieces easier to repair rather than discard, or introducing digital product passports. As distant as these goals may sound, they are decisions shaping our future today.

Hoping to do our own part, we’ve gathered some simple, practical steps you can implement into your everyday life to help build a more sustainable wardrobe.

CHOOSE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

One timeless, well-made garment will outlast a dozen cheaply made items. Invest in fabrics, cuts, and craftsmanship that stand the test of time. Think of clothing as a long-term relationship, something worth caring for and repairing, rather than discarding at the first sign of wear.

left: UGO PAULON via instagram.com @ugo_paulon
right: 1/OFF PARIS via instagram.com @1offparis

RETHINK RESOURCES

Your next favourite piece already exists, you just haven’t found it yet. Explore vintage shops (Amsterdam is the perfect place for that), join clothing swaps with friends, or experiment with rental services for special occasions. There are more opportunities out there than you might think, and social media is a treasure trove for finding them. Platforms like Vinted or Vestiaire Collective make it easy to sell pieces you no longer wear and discover new gems in return.

REPAIR AND UPCYCLE

Instead of discarding a garment, give it a second life. Sew on new buttons, shorten a hem, add patches, or even cut and reshape it into something entirely new. The more creative you get, the more unique your wardrobe becomes. This way you become more emotionally attached to your pieces, and soon enough you rely less on buying something brand new.

credits pinterest.com

CLOTHING SWAPS

Clothing swaps are one of the most fun sustainable practices out there. Gather your friends, spend time together, and swap pieces you no longer wear. You can even turn it into a whole day activity, filled with style experiments that end up as fresh outfits. What you’re tired of and never wear could easily become someone else’s next favorite piece, the one they never want to take off.

CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE FABRICS AND RESPONSIBLE BRANDS

When you do buy new, look for fabrics such as organic cotton, recycled fibres, or deadstock materials that would otherwise go to waste. Beyond the fabric, research the brands you support: read about their production processes, sustainability goals, and ethical commitments. Your money is your vote, spend it on companies whose values align with yours.

left: LES FLEUR STUDIO via instagram.com @lesfleurstudio
right: RAVE REVIEW via instagram.com @rave_rvw_clothes

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CLOTHES

Go through your clothes carefully and look for new ways to wear them: experiment with layering, accessorising, or mixing unexpected pieces. You could even download a styling app or sketch outfit ideas from your current wardrobe. The most important thing is to have fun with it and spend time “together” with your clothes. You’d be surprised how many new outfit ideas you haven’t thought of yet.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

There are many books, podcasts or movies covering the topic of sustainability. But there is one that I cannot recommend enough: Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy” on Netflix. It is possibly the most eye-opening documentary I have ever seen, where actual members of the industry reveal how they monitor consumer behaviour to increase profit. I promise you this: after watching it, not only will you gain a sense of responsibility, and be reminded of the role you play, but above all, you’ll receive tips, motivation, and hope that change is possible.

We also recommend watching TED Talks. Are We the Last Generation – or the First Sustainable One? by environmental data scientist Hannah Ritchie is a great one. She breaks down the data and numbers professionally, showing how sustainability is not just necessary but actually scientifically achievable.

Another TED Talk worth watching is by fashion entrepreneur Josephine Philips: The Simple Solution to Fast Fashion. In it, she shares the power of refusing to follow fleeting trends and highlights the real impact our choices can have, even with something as simple as a single pair of jeans or her grandmother’s orange striped dress.

We often tell ourselves, “The problems of the future are of the future,” but the truth is: The future is now. Sustainable fashion is not about perfection, it’s about doing something. It doesn’t have to be big, perfect, or grand; it just has to be true. If each of us takes small, conscious steps, our combined impact can be enormous.

THE FUTURE IS NOW: WHAT WE WEAR MATTERS