HULA's Guide to Building a Sustainable Closet

Transitioning to a capsule closet is about micro habits we can adopt to care for our planet. According to the WWF, 15% of Hong Kong’s ecological footprint comprised of clothing waste. In order to cultivate a sustainable consumerism, we can make more eco-conscious decisions, such as proper garment care. Here we highlight four essential methods to building a more sustainable closet.

Proper maintenance of your garments increases their lifespan and ensures that your items’ resale value remains high. Joanna Watson at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute highlights that frequent use of washing machines not only deteriorates our environment but can also wear down particular fabrics. Watson suggests spot-cleaning to remove minor stains to lower our washing frequency or opting for hand-wash when necessary. 

Here at HULA, we recognize the value of vintage items that have a long lifespan. However, we also emphasize the importance of maintaining the quality of items through consistent meticulous care, maximizing their resale value.

Purchasing pre-loved pieces instead of new items reduces our carbon footprint, and you can also find designer pieces at wallet-friendly prices without sacrificing quality. At HULA, we have a curated selection of authenticated designer items available at our Wong Chuk Hang or in Central and our online store. We also welcome sellers to bring in their items to our shops and give their garments a second life. 

Here are some of our favourite new-in items: 

CHANEL	SAINT LAURENT
HERMÈS	VALENTINO

Building a more sustainable closet also means seeking out environmentally conscious brands that uphold ethical values. A simple way to spot sustainable brands is to identify whether they are B Corp Certified. This certification ensures that companies meet B Corp’s environmental, ethical, and transparency standards. Companies such as Chloé and Faithfull the Brand are certified, and they continue to improve their social and environmental accountability throughout their operations. However, non-B Corp certified brands such as Acne Studios also aim to increase the sustainability of their products, suppliers and operations. Acne Studios also cooperates with Fair Wear Foundation, an independent organization, to monitor their factory conditions. We’ve compiled a few looks using sustainable brands that can be found at HULA.

CULT GAIA	NANUSHKA
CULT GAIA	NANUSHKA

ACNE STUDIOS	STELLA MCCARTNEY
CHLOÉ	CHLOÉ

Watson also highlights that a sustainable wardrobe is long-lasting with foundational staple pieces that can be worn in endless ways. Closet essentials such as this white button-down shirt from Alaïa or these Issey Miyake trousers can be styled for every occasion. When purchasing new items, remind yourself of the purpose of each garment and whether it is an essential item. It is also helpful to re-organize your closet to know which staples you are missing to avoid buying duplicated pieces.

ALAÏA	J BRAND
STUART WEITZMAN	CHANEL

ISSEY MIYAKE	JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
GUCCI	THE ROW

Whether you buy pre-loved or invest in garments from sustainable brands, each small change can help reduce our carbon footprint. More importantly, educating yourself about the fashion industry's environmental impact is vital to becoming more aware of how to become a sustainable consumer.