Sustainable Fashion is a lifestyle movement that is part of making eco-friendly choices in all aspects of life including clothing choices.
Sustainable Fashion vs Fast Fashion
Sustainable fashion is a term that refers to clothing, shoes, and accessories that are produced, designed, and consumed in a way that minimizes the environmental impact and promotes social responsibility. You can create fashion that is both stylish and environmentally and ethically made. With the rise in environmental consciousness, sustainable fashion has become an important topic in the fashion industry.
The term fast fashion is used to describe the trend of fashion designers quickly producing large quantities of inexpensive clothing based on the latest trends, in order to respond quickly to consumer demand. Fast fashion is often characterized by low prices, a high turnover of styles, and a focus on fast production with often not very ethical work standards for the factory workers manufactured in developing countries.
There are several types of sustainable fashion, including:
- Organic: Organic clothing is made from natural fibers that are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This type of sustainable fashion is better for the environment and for the farmers who produce the fibers.
- Recycled: Recycled fashion is made from materials that have been repurposed from other products. This can include clothing made from recycled plastic bottles or fabric scraps.
- Upcycled: Upcycling is the process of taking an existing item and transforming it into something new and different. This type of sustainable fashion is often unique and one-of-a-kind.
- Ethical: Ethical fashion refers to clothing that is produced in an ethical and responsible way. This can include fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and transparency in the supply chain.
Why does sustainable fashion matter? Think about everything you buy that is made with cheap materials that don’t last and have to be disposed of after wearing only a few times. Additionally, if you buy something not made or sourced as locally as possible it has to be transported across the planet to get to you which produces carbon emissions, only to end up in a landfill eventually.
Tips on how to shop for sustainable fashion
- Look for certifications such as organic, fair trade, or recycled.
- Invest in quality clothing that will last longer.
- Shop second-hand or vintage clothing.
- Support local designers and boutiques.
- Be mindful of the materials used in the clothing you purchase.
Quality Over Quantity
Investing in higher-quality items will last longer, which means you won’t need to replace them as often. This not only saves you money in the long run, but it also reduces the amount of textile waste that is produced.
Learning from the Past
It’s worth noting that as recently as the 1950s, many women only had a few dresses in their wardrobe. They were more likely to purchase a dress or outfit that they could wear in a variety of situations, rather than having a large number of different dresses for different occasions. Also, the cost of clothes were relatively high, owning a lot of clothes would have been a luxury for many.
Shop Sustainable Fashion
Here are some sustainable shopping choices to consider!