Sustainable fashion, as the name suggests, is a type of clothing that is more environmentally friendly than average fast fashion. Ethical brands are more conscious about the impact that they have on the environment and ensure to be eco-conscious by using sustainable materials.
This article will discuss how sustainable fashion has grown over the past few years and what makes it different.
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion implies clothing that is fit for the eco-conscious. The brands associated with it are conscious about the impact they have on the environment and ensure they use only sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled materials, etc.
The basics of sustainable fashion include the following:
- Conscious buying
- Choosing an ethical brand
- Buying a product only when you really need it
- Buying second-hand products
- Recycling
Another aspect of sustainable fashion is a concept called fair trade. These brands do not test on animals, use natural materials and provide a fair wage to their employees. Some examples of sustainable brands are Couture, People Tree, and Patagonia.
This new sector has become more popular throughout the clothing industry in recent years. In recent years, even mainstream shops such as H&M have been using organic cotton in their manufacturing process and designers like Diane Von Furstenberg have taken part in sustainability crusades by creating eco friendly collections for her line DVF.
Why Traditional fashion is not sustainable
Traditional fast fashion is bad for the environment due to brands using toxic chemicals, which pollute the air and water. Traditional fashion brands also use a plethora of resources so that they can create a new product, such as cotton. These resources may not be readily available and deplete other sources of natural materials. This poses a threat to the environment as well as poorer countries that depend on these resources.
Fast fashion brands often use fibers made from materials which are produced by using harmful substances such as polyester. Moreover, the production of one cotton t-shirt can take several gallons of water, enough to feed many poor families who are in need of fresh drinking water. Cotton is one of the biggest water wasters as it takes about 2000 liters of water to produce enough cotton for one shirt.
A recent article by The Revelator, roughly 7% of the global greenhouse gas emissions come from textile manufacturing. This is a huge concern that needs to be addressed.
Traditional fast fashion brands also use toxic chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer and developmental problems in children. PFCs are one of the most common chemicals in fast fashion items for waterproof wear, which are extremely harmful to humans.
So what are the advantages of sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion brands are conscious about the impact they have on the environment and ensure to be eco-conscious by using sustainable materials. Choosing an ethical brand is important when it comes to eco friendly clothing. Buying a product only when you really need it, buying second-hand products and recycling are all good examples of how to be more eco-conscious and take full advantage of sustainable fashion brands.
One benefit of opting for sustainable fashion is that you will find a lot of brands that market second-hand clothing within their lineup. Since the clothes are second-hand, you will probably get a better deal on clothing, while helping contribute towards the re-usability of a product, which means it doesn’t end up in landfills
Recycling is one of the best ways to be eco-conscious because used materials are reused, thus preserving nature’s resources. Many clothes that are thrown away every year end up in landfills, which results in a poor environment.
Ethical clothing brands often keep this in mind and therefore design their clothing line with recyclability as a primary factor. If it is not possible to recycle the product, they will make sure that if they do get disposed of, they still remain much more environmentally friendly than their polyester-based counterparts.
Another benefit is that sustainable fashion helps build local communities’ economies and decreases poverty levels. For example, using organic cotton helps farmers get more money for their goods since they charge a higher price for organic items due to the cost of producing them. Using recycled materials also brings jobs to the community as people are paid to collect and sort old materials. This money goes back into the economy and helps decrease poverty levels.
Sustainable fashion also allows one to focus on growth and development rather than materialism. It is not about showing off but about knowing that you made an impact by buying a product that was ethically produced, which can be seen by the clothes. The ultimate goal is about giving, not getting. It is important to help others and think of the impact that you are having on them rather than what you will get out of it.
The past, present, and future of sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion has been growing in popularity over the past few years and is becoming a trend, with brands like Stella McCartney and Stella Luna showing that eco-fashion can be both stylish and sustainable.
The sustainable fashion movement is growing at an exponential rate. People are becoming more aware of the impact they have on nature as well as their continuous consumerism and wastefulness. It is not about banning fast fashion brands; it’s about being conscious about how your clothing was produced, using what you want or need, and buying second-hand. Buying sustainable clothing is important, as it helps the environment and communities around the world, and will continue to do so in the future.
Conclusion
This article has looked at what sustainable fashion is and the benefits that it offers. It was also discussed that buying sustainable fashion does not mean banning fast fashion brands, but being aware of how your clothing was produced and making choices based on this. Hopefully, you too will make the switch. If you do, then what are you waiting for? Go out and buy an eco friendly clothing item today!