What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion is a movement and process aimed at fostering change in fashion products, their production, consumption, and supply chain to reduce environmental impacts and increase environmental sustainability. It covers all aspects of the life cycle—from design, sourcing raw materials, production processes, packaging, and retailing, to end-of-life disposal of clothing items—aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of a garment throughout its entire life cycle.

Why sustainable fashion is worth the effort:

• It will help protect our environment by reducing waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fashion industry.
• It can save you money in the long run because sustainable clothing is often made with higher-quality materials that are more durable and last longer.
• It supports ethical production practices and allows us to make more informed choices about the clothes we purchase.
• It allows us to express our values and choose clothes that reflect our style more consciously.
• By shopping sustainably, you can help create a fairer and more equitable fashion industry that respects people and the planet.
• You can support small businesses and local fashion designers who are making an effort to create more sustainable clothing.
• By shopping sustainably, you can reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a better world for future generations.
• It encourages you to be mindful of your purchases and think about the impact they have on both people and the environment.
• It also creates an opportunity for us to support better working conditions and fair wages in the fashion industry.
• Sustainable fashion can be just as stylish as conventional clothing and is often made with unique fabrics, prints, styles, and colours that stand out from the crowd.
• Sustainable fashion is worth investing in, both for ourselves and the planet. So remember to shop mindfully and make conscious decisions about the clothes we choose!

We hope the above information has given you a better understanding of sustainable fashion and how it is beneficial for us, our environment, and future generations. We also encourage you to start doing your part by implementing the following tips. Every small step counts and together, we can help create a more sustainable fashion industry! 

15 Easy steps to sustainable fashion:

1. Choose Quality Over Quantity – When shopping for clothes, opt for quality over quantity to ensure you get the most out of your purchases. Buying fewer items that are better made and of a higher quality make will last longer and reduce the need to buy more items.
2. Choose Natural Fibers – Synthetic materials not only take longer to decompose but they are also made from petroleum-based products that require intensive energy input during their production process. Natural fibers such as linen, wool, hemp, and cotton are not only sustainable, but they’re also biodegradable and require less energy to produce.
3. Buy Second-Hand – Buying second-hand clothing is a great way to save money and reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe as it keeps clothes out of landfills and prevents them from being incinerated or dumped in other parts of the world.
4. Support Sustainable & Ethical Brands – When shopping for clothing, opt for brands that use sustainable materials and ethical production methods.
5. Shop Local – Supporting local businesses by purchasing locally-made clothes helps reduce the environmental impacts associated with long-distance shipping.
6. Avoid Fast Fashion – Fast fashion is a term used to describe low-cost, trendy clothing produced by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. It’s associated with immense resource consumption and large volumes of waste due to its short lifecycle and unethically produced clothes.
7. Buy Clothes That Can Be Reused & Repurposed – Look for items that can easily be reused in another form, such as a dress that can be used as a shirt or trousers that can become shorts.
8. Avoid Toxic Dyes – Many dyes used in clothing production are non-biodegradable and toxic. When shopping for clothes, look for items that have been dyed with natural or plant-based dyes which are less damaging to the environment.
9. Invest In Quality Basics – Investing in quality basics such as a good pair of pants, a blazer, and a top can help you build a great wardrobe.
10. Wash Your Clothes Less Often – Washing clothes less often is not only better for the environment, but it’s also better for your clothing as frequent washing can cause the fabric to break down quickly.
11. Line Dry Your Clothing – Line drying your clothing is a great way to save energy, protect your clothes from wear and tear, and reduce environmental impacts caused by the electricity used in dryers.
12. Repair & Maintenance – Fixing any tears or rips in clothing as soon as possible will help you extend its life and prevent it from ending up in landfills. In addition, regular maintenance such as cleaning and ironing can help keep your clothes looking good for longer.
13. Choose Natural & Eco-Friendly Cleaners – Avoid using harsh detergents and opt for natural, eco-friendly cleaning products that are less damaging to the environment.
14. Donate Unwanted Clothes – Donating unwanted clothes is a great way to extend the life of your clothing and prevent it from ending up in landfills.
15. Shop Mindfully – Shopping mindfully means buying only what you need or will wear and avoiding single-use fashion items that are not meant to last. This helps reduce the production of new clothing and ensures that the clothes you purchase are well-made and of good quality. Additionally, it’s important to research and stay informed about a brand’s sustainability initiatives before making any purchases. By taking these simple steps, you can reduce the environmental impacts associated with your wardrobe and help create a more sustainable fashion industry. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and we hope it has inspired you to shop more sustainably. Happy shopping!