Unless you have been living under a rock, you have likely
come across the term 'sustainable fashion’ or ‘green fashion’. Sustainable
fashion has been a prominent topic in recent years, with a huge push for a
reduction in landfills and CO2 production. The fashion industry shockingly contributes to 10% of annual global carbon emissions.
This is expected to grow by 2030, even with the action that has been
taken.
Taking action to be more sustainable in your own choices
will have a cannon effect on those around you, as you will lead by example.
There are some things to keep in mind when opting for sustainable fashion, some
more important than others. In this blog post, we will share some of the key
ideas to keep in mind when starting your sustainable journey. Take a look at
the following suggestions:
You can repurpose old clothing items
First things first, remember that it is better to repurpose
old clothing items than throw them away. Sometimes throwing clothing away is
inevitable, due to faults or simply not fitting us anymore. However, the
materials are better repurposed for useful tools than being sent to a landfill
to contribute to harmful air pollution. Upcycle your clothing to be used as
clothes, headbands, tote bags and much more. Sometimes all that is needed is a
small repair to bring things back to life again. Start to master your sewing
and embroidery skills, and watch your wardrobe come back together again.
Binning clothes is not sustainable
Throwing your clothes away is not sustainable, and should be
avoided when possible. If you already have a wardrobe that is bursting open at
the seams, you likely will need to make space for a selective, universal
wardrobe that will last for years to come. Getting rid of clothing is best done
through rehoming them. There is someone out there dreaming of the pair of jeans
you haven't worn for years, and also willing to buy them. Use fashion resale
websites such as Vinted or Ebay to list your clothing. Keep in mind that
selling them cheap is the best way to get your clothing sold sooner rather than
later. You can also donate them to charity stores, but consider sending them to
independent charity stores, rather than the huge household names that have been
exposed for unsustainable practices.
There are hundreds of sustainable fashion brands
Although they have not hit mainstream media, there are now
thousands of 100% ethical and sustainable fashion brands providing greener
clothing to the world. Some only engage in sustainable operations, such as
paying their staff living wages, using organic materials, and providing safe
and sustainable working conditions for their staff. Many also offer recycling
schemes, to send clothing back to them to reuse in return for a discount off
their clothing. Look for small independent green brands near you. They are
beautifully made and often much better quality than the fast fashion pieces
that are overproduced.
Less is more
A carousel wardrobe is a collection of clothes that you can
wear interchangeably no matter the season or trends circulating. People who opt
for this type of wardrobe are considered to be much more sustainable than those
people who regularly buy cheap fast fashion pieces to throw away the same
season. Less is more, so consider getting yourself a capsule wardrobe instead
of an overpopulated wardrobe of pieces you never wear.
Rent for occasion outfits
Renting occasion outfits has become more common in recent
years, and it is in fact more suitable than buying an outfit to keep. Occasion
outfits are often the most expensive, and also least worn. You should rent your
occasion dresses instead of buying them if you would like not only to save
money but also to save space in your wardrobe. Shop Christmas party dresses
from rentable websites, and you will likely have access to beautiful designer
pieces for everyone to appreciate.
Consider who made your clothes
If you are about to make a fashion purchase you need to
consider who actually made youtube clothing. Many fashion brands carry out their
operations overseas in unsustainable and unethical factories in which their
staff receive poor wages and poor treatment. Make sure you know where your
clothing is made before buying.
Support brands with ethical practices
Brands who are not afraid to speak out on green fashion, and
also share their sustainable initiatives should be supported. Perhaps they make
financial contributions to developing more ethical practices in the fashion
world, or maybe they simply boycott unethical practices altogether. Do your
research to find brands that are working towards change, and do your art in
supporting their motives.
Watch out for greenwashing
With that, you should also be aware of brands that are engaging in greenwashing. Greenwashing is the misleading actions and statements from businesses that are done to lead people to believe that they are sustainable, when in fact they are false claims and continue to make harmful contortions to the climate crisis. Brands such as Boohoo have been a culprit of this, so make sure the brands you support are not simply trying to mislead their audiences.
Bottom line
It is possible to be suitable with your fashion choices, but
there are still things to consider. Watch out for greenwashing, repurpose old
clothing when possible, throw clothes away is a big no-no, and also consider
renting clothes to avoid unethical build-ups in your own closet.
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