Currently, the concept of sustainable fashion has become widespread, a consequence of the awareness of the extreme environmental impact of our clothes. The industry alone accounts for between 4 and 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions each year – a huge number that can no longer be ignored given the climate crises we face.
So what exactly is sustainable fashion? It is a general term that allows clothing to be produced and consumed in a sustainable way, while protecting the environment and workers. This is why reducing CO2 emissions, ending overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, and ensuring textile employees fair wages and safety in the workplace are all necessary for establishing sustainable fashion.
Given the number of elements at play, still too few brands are addressing these issues, and even those who have began tackling these problems admit they still need to improve. This means it is no longer enough to just purchase items labeled “sustainable”. We need to completely review our shopping habits and the way we consume clothes. If you want to concoct a “sustainable” wardrobe, we have put together a little sustainable fashion guide for you.
Apply the “quality over quantity” rule
It may be a cliché, but the principle of “quality over quantity” makes complete sense when you know that 100 billion pieces of clothing are produced in the world each year. Prior to making a purchase, ask yourself three questions: “What am I buying and why? What do I really need? Am I going to wear this piece at least thirty times?”
Choose sustainable brands
To buy better, you can opt for designers who follow sustainable practices, such as Stella McCartney and Collina Strada, who use upcycled fabrics in their clothes. Narrowing your search to more specific pieces can be helpful, from sustainable activewear (try Girlfriend Collective or Indigo Luna), to swimwear (like Stay Wild and Fisch) to denim (think Outland Denim and Re/Done).
Try second-hand and vintage
Second-hand and vintage are just a click away thanks to sites like Vestiaire Collective and Depop. Not only do you extend the life of clothes and reduce the environmental impact of your closet, but you also find unique items.
Rent
Rather than buying a new dress for a wedding or BBQ party this summer, renting clothes is so easy nowadays. According to one study, nearly 50 million pieces purchased are worn only once each summer in the UK alone – a horrible habit that’s been adopted that should be destroyed as quickly as possible.
Learn more about materials
Being knowledgeable about the impact of materials is necessary to move towards more sustainable purchases. An idea to adopt: avoid virgin synthetic fibers such as polyester, which alone makes up more than 55% of clothing in the world, because they are made from fossil fuels and take years to decompose. Not all natural materials follow the same production methods: organic cotton, for example requires significantly less water than traditional cotton and does not use harmful pesticides. Check for certifications issued by the Global Organic Textile Standard (for cotton and wool), Leather Working Group (for leather) and Forest Stewardship Council (for viscose) to ensure that the materials your items are made of have a low impact on our environment. Recycled materials also have a lower impact compared to virgin materials, but you will need to consider whether these textiles can be recycled once you dispose of them.
Be wary of vegan fashion
Although some materials of animal origin, such as leather and wool, have their fair share of environmental concerns, vegan alternatives (which are often made from synthetic materials such a PVC) can also be harmful to the environment. Even plant materials are made up of a proportion of synthetics, so think carefully before purchasing.
Learn the science goals
In order to learn which brands are serious about reducing their environmental footprint, find out if they’re committed to meeting science-aligned goals. Signatories to the Science Based Targets Initiative, for example, include Kering (owner of Yves Saint Laurent) and Burberry, have set goals to reduce their CO2 emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreements.
Support brands that have a positive agreement
Eco-conscious brands are questioning the positive impact fashion may have on the environment rather than just reducing its footprint. Regenerative agriculture, made up of farming practices like simplified tillage techniques and the use of cover crops, is an increasing trend in the textile industry and aims to restore soil health and biodiversity.
Beware of harmful chemicals
The hidden chemicals that are used to protect and treat our clothing items are problematic, polluting local waterways and posing a risk to textile workers. Check for Made in Green by OEKO-TEX and Bluesign certifications.
Reduce your water footprint
Textile production requires a large amount of water, estimated at 93 billion cubic meters per year. We need to be more aware of the water footprint of our clothing. As previously noted, organic cotton requires significantly less water than traditional cotton, and the use of dyes with low water content also reduces this consumption.
Care for your clothes
Extending the lifespan of your clothes is essential to reducing their environmental footprint. Extend their lifespan by avoiding over-washing them (which will also reduce your CO2 emissions and your water consumption) and opt for repairing clothes to throwing them out.
Limit microplastic pollution
It’s a fact that you can’t avoid all synthetic materials (nylon and elastane remain necessary to guarantee the elasticity or activewear and underwear). Washing our clothes releases thousands of micro plastics into our waterways and oceans, forcing marine life to ingest the tiny particles. Luckily, there is a solution: invest in a microplastic filter which will aid your synthetic clothes, or the washing ball to be placed in the drum of your washing machine.
Give life to your old clothes
You can take simple measures to ensure that your clothes don’t end up in the landfill. Reselling your old items or exchanging them is the best way to give them a second life, such as donating them.
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