Introduction
The fashion industry has a problem: it’s unsustainable. Though the problem has been well-documented, we still haven’t found a solution that works for everyone. That said, there are some steps you can take to make your clothes shopping more sustainable and support brands who are leading the way towards innovation in sustainable design.
What does it mean to be sustainable?
If you’re wondering what it means to be sustainable, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Sustainable fashion is about reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. This can be done by using natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, and bamboo instead of synthetic ones like polyester or nylon—or even better yet, by making clothes that last longer so they don’t have to be replaced as often.
- Sustainable fashion means making clothes that are made to last. Instead of buying cheap fast fashion that you’ll throw away after one season (and if you’re lucky), get into investing in pieces with more longevity—it’ll save both your wallet and the planet!
Could sustainability look like wholesale changes to fashion production, supply chains and retail?
One of the most important things to remember is that sustainable fashion is not a destination. It’s a journey, and we all need to be part of it.
We need to change the way we buy, the way we make and the way we dispose of clothes. We need to think about how our clothes will be used – whether they’re made for formal occasions or everyday wear. And we need to be conscious about what happens along every step of their life cycle – from production through retail and on into ownership by consumers
In the meantime, is there anything I can do as a consumer to support sustainability in my clothes shopping?
In the meantime, is there anything I can do as a consumer to support sustainability in my clothes shopping?
- Buy second-hand clothes. This is a great way to not only make sustainable purchases but also get unique pieces at lower prices. If you’re buying from some of the major second-hand retailers like ThredUp or Poshmark, be sure to check out their ethical and sustainable sourcing practices (the latter is particularly important for brands that sell products made with animal materials). Other sources include local thrift stores and online sites like Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
- Buy vintage clothes. As mentioned earlier in this article, vintage clothing has been around forever—and it will probably continue on forever! Not only does this mean that there’s no need for fast fashion companies to manufacture new garments (and therefore waste resources), but also that vintage clothing comes with its own set of benefits: rarer styles; better quality fabrics; less chemical processing; zero impact on the environment during production; and more cost-effective prices if you buy it directly from the brands themselves rather than through an intermediary service like Etsy or eBay which takes a cut off each sale transaction cost price markups). Check out our list of favorite ethical & sustainable brands who specialize in creating high quality garments using traditional processes such as hand printing techniques instead of screen printing methods.”
Read more about buying secondhand here.
Are there any fashion companies that are leading the way with sustainable design?
There are some companies that are doing good things, but they are not mainstream. Companies like Patagonia and Eileen Fisher have been creating sustainable fashion for years. In 2016, Patagonia put out a video called Worn Wear about their commitment to sustainability and how it affects their business model. In the video, they talk about how much waste goes into making one pair of jeans and what you can do to reduce clothing waste in your own life. They also explain why recycling is important and what happens to our old clothes when we throw them away (in case you didn’t know—they end up in landfills).
Patagonia has proven that it is possible for a high-end designer brand to incorporate sustainable practices into its manufacturing process while still producing fashionable products at an affordable price point; however, these are not mainstream brands by any means!
Eileen Fisher on the other hand has been taking steps towards becoming more eco-conscious since 2010 when she decided not only would all of her merchandise be made from organic cotton but also that she would only use natural materials such as silk instead of synthetic fibers because “it’s better for the environment”.
Significant changes need to be made within the fashion industry before we can claim that sustainable fashion exists.
The fashion industry is a complex system that involves many stakeholders. In order to create sustainable fashion, we need to be able to define what sustainable fashion is and then find ways to make the entire system more sustainable. However, this is not an easy task because there are many different perspectives on what sustainability means. For example, some people believe that buying less clothes will help reduce the amount of waste produced by our clothing habits (and therefore create more sustainable fashion), while others argue that buying items made from recycled materials will help reduce waste (and therefore create more sustainable fashion).
Conclusion
So, does sustainable fashion exist? I think it’s important to recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. What might be sustainable for me may not be for you, and vice versa. The most important thing is to make informed decisions about how you want to express yourself through your clothing and accessories. If that means buying secondhand or vintage pieces from thrift stores, then so be it! But if buying new items from brands like Patagonia or Everlane makes you feel good about yourself without compromising on quality or style—then keep doing what works best for you!