When we talk about sustainable fashion, we’re talking about clothing and accessories that are made with consideration for the environment and society as a whole. We can undoubtedly choose to shop more sustainably but becoming involved in sustainable fashion does not necessitate the purchase of anything new. Wearing what you have, shopping secondhand, and swapping/borrowing from friends are other ways to participate in the sustainable fashion movement without producing or purchasing anything new.
Why is fashion sustainability important? Simply put, fashion has long hurt the environment and society. Sweatshops, as we know them today first, appeared in England during the Industrial Revolution, and these early companies relied largely on coal. Furthermore, the industrialization of textiles increased the demand for cotton, which was a significant cause of slavery. However, the relatively recent growth of fast fashion has played a significant role in today’s fashion issues like as modern-day slavery, toxic contamination, and excess carbon emissions. What exactly is fast fashion? and how would a sustainable clothing brand tear down its impact?
Why is fast fashion considered to be so bad?
Fast fashion is stylish, low-cost clothing that is mass-produced in a short period. Zara, H&M, Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Uniqlo, GAP, Primark, and Fashion Nova are examples of fast fashion brands. This business model is based on a never-ending cycle of overproduction and overconsumption. Fast fashion brands’ low costs are only achievable because they create in large quantities. While the firms may not benefit much from each garment, they can profit hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars because they create so many.
What Are the Advantages of Sustainable Clothing?
With the fashion sector accounting for anything from 2-10% of worldwide carbon emissions (obtaining solid statistics on the fashion industry is another key issue), embracing sustainability in fashion can also mean making considerable progress toward decarbonization and meeting global climate targets. Cleaning up the fashion supply chain has the potential to drastically reduce pollution in many areas across the world. Sourcing textiles for fashion from regenerative fibre systems can set us on a pathway to healing the planet and our relationship to the land.
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Why is sustainable fashion so expensive?”
However, this is based on a limited understanding of sustainable fashion. Purchasing “sustainably-made clothing” is not required for sustainable fashion. While it is desirable to have a thoughtful wardrobe, it is not obligatory. The item hanging in your closet is the most sustainable! Yes, the most economical solution is also the most sustainable. You may still make the most of what has already been produced if you want to add to your closet or change things up.Borrow from or trade with a friend, visit thrift stores or online secondhand fashion sites, or examine alternate models such as rental (though this is not the most preferable option with the impact of shipping, cleaning, etc.) But what do you do when you’re looking for something fresh? The reality is that phrases like “conscious,” “eco,” and “sustainable” have no meaning in and of themselves because they are not regulated by any third party. While terms like these can help you start to identify sustainably created items, they are not sufficient.
