Be Fashionable by Being Eco-Friendly

The sustainable fashion industry is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint using eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices. This blog delves into nuances of how we can become an eco-conscious consumer.

Questions Eco-Conscious Fashionistas are Asking

Should I recycle or upcycle my used dresses? Or, reuse it by mixing and matching it with my jeans or skirt? Would it be better if I reduced my wardrobe size by investing in quality clothing?

The Three Rs of Sustainable Fashion

Small, consistent steps gain momentum and you can start by practising the three Rs—recycling, reducing, reusing, and upcycling, to achieve the larger goal of green fashion.

Recycle—When you send bagsful of old clothes, some of them go to landfills, a few for reuse as second-hand dresses, and the rest undergo shredding and conversion into yarns which get transformed into fibres through the recycling process.

Reduce—This question works like magic for me, “Do I want? or, do I need it?” Consider taking fewer trips to the shopping mall and curb the temptation to buy clothes on sale.

Reuse—Wardrobe inventory will give you an idea of unused, long-forgotten clothes. Pull them out of their “anonymity” and start using them. Many designers and celebrities are repurposing old fabrics by dyeing, and creating new dresses out of them.

Mending a tear and fixing that loose button will save your favourite dress from the trash and a trip to the mall!

Upcycling old clothes by making produce bags, cleaning rags, and quilts also helps to manage waste.

These habits help you become conscious of your environment and adopt sustainability as a way of living.

Importance of Sustainable Fashion

According to statistics cited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Ellen MacArthur on worldbank.org, every year, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water—enough to meet the consumption of five million people. The fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions, and 20 percent of global wastewater comes from fabric dyeing and treatment.

The sustainable fashion industry is taking steps to protect the environment and reduce water waste and pollution by using eco-friendly materials, tracking the supply chain, and being mindful of ethical production practices.

Consumers are responsible for the growth and demand of products and to educate and enable them to make informed choices. The industry uses various methods, such as campaigns, certifications, and labelling, to raise awareness.

Choosing Sustainable Fabrics

The creation of eco-friendly clothing involves the use of hemp, linen, organic cotton, wool, and vegetable leather.

Hemp is a favourite in the sustainable fashion industry because compared to cotton it conserves water, and requires fewer pesticides.

Similar to hemp, linen, a natural fabric produced from flax plants, requires less water and pesticides compared to cotton. The bonus is its long-lasting, and contains moisture-absorbing abilities, making it perfect for hot summers.

Wool, silk and cotton are other fabric options to consider when buying clothes that are part of sustainable fashion.

Brands Making a Difference

Everlane is famous for being transparent in presenting details about materials, and for paying fair wages to laborers. This brand manufactures fashion pieces for almost the same price as regular fast fashion.

PACT is your go-to for affordable carbon-neutral, eco-friendly fashion like innerwear, button-ups, and loungewear.

Warp + Weft affordable jeans use innovative water recycling and dyeing techniques, and less than 10 gallons to produce jeans compared to other regular pairs of jeans using 1500 gallons.

LA Relaxed creates small batches of tanks and tee shirts using leftover fabrics and carefully inspected eco-friendly materials. Being local, this brand eliminates international shipping, barely leaving any carbon footprints.

Wildflo Studio, a loungewear brand, uses organic cotton and recycled materials to design sustainable clothing.

Naz uses linen and Tencel for creating blouses and trousers. This brand is popular for incorporating recycled and deadstock fabrics into their designs. Their website says they trace most of its supply chain and use GOTS-certified organic cotton.

Nina Rein’s website mentions how they pay attention to every step of the production chain, including the raw materials and distribution. They use natural materials sourced from certified organic cultivators.

This list is from across the globe. You can select brands from locations and countries where you reside. The idea is to nudge you to go local because this will not only help support local designers and creators but also reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainable living.

Misconceptions About Sustainable Fashion

Right from eco-friendly fashion being expensive to clothing having limited dress options, there are many misconceptions surrounding this industry. Many brands offer affordable options, making them accessible to a larger consumer base busting the myth that eco-friendly fashion is expensive. They also create suitable dresses for different occasions.

Conclusion:

Sustainable fashion, supported by textiles like hemp and linen, promotes pollution-free practices and fosters a mindful connection with clothing, significantly reducing waste. Start small: shop local, support eco-friendly brands, and if possible, learn basic sewing skills. By embracing green fashion, you contribute to an eco-friendly future in the fashion industry.