What is Sustainable Fashion – An Introduction

Are you one of those who would like to know more about sustainable fashion? Would you like to make decisions that positively influence the world and still wear clothes that look stunning?

Congratulations, because you are in the perfect place! Let us walk you through what sustainable fashion is about and the ways you can begin to approach fashion from a more sustainable, ethical, and eco-friendly approach.

What is Sustainable Fashion?

In case you didn’t know, sustainable fashion is about safeguarding the environment and protecting fair working conditions in the industry while keeping the industry going. It refers to clothing that is created, supplied, distributed, and used in eco-friendly ways.

Sustainability is a broad word that combines areas like consumption, climate, and the upgrading of local environments.

What Makes the Fashion World Not Sustainable?

Remember that sustainability is determined by the ability to be sustained. Having a sustainable fashion industry indicates one should operate in ways that could continue working for many years to come.

However, that’s not the case with today’s fast-fashion—clothing that is intentionally created to be consumed quickly at a reasonable price, resulting in buyers perceiving clothes as being disposable. People mostly wear these clothes a few times before they finally throw them out or move on to trendier and newer affordable clothes.

You see, the fast-fashion world we have today is far from being sustainable. That’s because it reduces the planet’s natural resources at substantial rates, not to mention it exploits workers globally. That leads to an overwhelming number of wastes.

Luckily, there are fashion brands raising awareness about this matter. A good example of this is the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh in 2013.

Did you know that the disaster leads to more than 1,100 deaths? It represents most in the Western world just how expensive their cheap clothing is. It turns out there are numerous environmental and social costs from fast fashion, which are concealed behind the glossy facades of pristine and clean fashion stores.

Unveiling the “True Cost” of Fashion

A documentary movie entitled The True Cost was released to the public after the said factory collapse. The purpose of the film is to bring to light more details about the devastation that was caused by the fashion sector.

Many organizations and activists started bringing attention to the concerns caused by fast fashion after such tragic events and a much deep understanding of the sector’s real costs. They motivate both brands and buyers alike to change their ways and become more responsible for their decisions’ environmental and social impacts.

Why is Sustainable Fashion Essential?

Each year, the fashion sector takes up big amounts of water and land. Did you know that only a single pair of jeans need at least ten thousand litres of water to create? Try to determine how much water that is. Ideally, it’s at least ten years of drinking water for a single individual.

If you believe that’s a huge amount of water, then understand that the fashion industry emissions are calculated to increase by sixty-three percent in 2030. That suggests sustainable fashion is essential.

Each year, millions of tons of garments become waste. Further, a significant amount of that is burned, resulting in more CO2 emission and pollution. Some research proves that over ninety million tons of clothes become waste each year.

Just visualize if all that clothes could be utilized as recycled material.

Ways to Support Sustainable Fashion

As consumers, you have an essential role to play if sustainable fashion is to become an integrated part of the fashion sector.

You must rethink the way you think about fashion and the way you consume it. However, how do you do that? Below are practical ways you can support sustainable fashion.

1. Remain educated

Remember that sustainable fashion is not a political concept. It is an idea to help the world continue to flourish, and something everyone can agree with is essential. Basic things you do each day, such as getting dressed, could make a difference in the world.

2. Experiment

Remember that you do not need to be frightened to use your favourite pieces to make a new outfit. Further, you don’t need a bag to pull an outfit together. You might simply need to experiment with your choices.

3. Research for the best environment-friendly brands

It is always fashionable to be green. Most high-end designer clothing brands such as Loomstate and Stella McCartney have started supporting sustainable fashion packaging. You will also find other eco-friendly brands out there selling stunning products.

4. Purchase natural fibres

Natural fibres are not just a good option for you, but it offers benefits for the environment. Bamboo and cotton are two great examples of natural fibres, which make excellent clothes and fabrics.

Stay away from synthetic fibres that can make you sweat more and be itchy.

5. Give and donate to thrift stores

It is challenging to think that some individuals simply throw their clothes away. But it always happens. Before donating yours, try to find clothes you like to eliminate. Are they still in top condition?

You can think of the individual who will find them in a thrift shop—and how happy they will be.

6. Lower your clothing waste

Consumer’s buying habits are resulting in 3.6 billion clothes left unworn yearly. Clothing waste is a major concern and has a massive effect on the environment. The clothes’ production is not just dangerous to the ecosystem, but as the fabrics have been bleached, dyed, and chemically changed, the clothes’ afterlife is detrimental.

Buying less and smarter is the key to lowering clothing waste. However, lowering clothing waste and dressing smarter does not indicate you cannot keep up with the latest trends. An excellent way to feel and look good about your closet is through clothing rental.

Renting clothes is a simple way to get access to an unlimited wardrobe and decrease your clothing waste.

You see, dressing sustainable does not need to be a major change in your style. It only suggests a change in your buying decisions. Now that you have an idea of what sustainable fashion truly means, we hope you start practicing it.