Looking good shouldn’t have to be harmless to the environment. But fashion has often been cited as a major contributor to environmental damage. Fortunately, more and more people are realizing the impact their wardrobe can have on the planet – and this new wave of eco-friendly fashion is intent on reducing that harm. Here, we take a look at the growing trend of sustainable fashion and explore how you can embrace eco-friendly trends with style.
1. What is Sustainable Fashion?
Sustainable fashion is an ethical approach to making clothing and accessories that reduces the negative environmental and social impacts of conventional fashion methods, such as poor working conditions and toxic chemicals. It is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of eco-friendly approaches that are sustainable, ethical, and environmentally responsible:
- Organic and Recycled Materials: Choosing fabrics and materials that are made from organic fibers or recyclable materials can reduce the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. This includes cotton, linen, and hemp, among other materials.
- Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: Sustainable fashion companies should focus on marketing ethically and sustainably made clothing and accessories. They should practice fair labor standards, waste reduction, and energy-efficient manufacturing.
- Upcycling: Upcycling is a process of turning pre-owned clothing into something completely new. It is a great way to breathe new life into second-hand clothing, rather than throwing them away
In addition to the environmental and social benefits of sustainable fashion, it can also be fashionable. Shopping ethically does not mean sacrificing style. Many sustainable fashion companies have embraced the challenge of designing stylish clothing and accessories that are both beautiful and sustainable.
Sustainable fashion has emerged as a powerful movement that is gradually changing the practices of the fashion industry. As consumer demand for ethical clothing rises, many fashion companies are adopting sustainable practices and taking steps to reduce their environmental and social impacts.
2. Redefining Style: eco-Friendly Fashion Trends
Making strides towards living a more conscious lifestyle doesn’t stop with food – fashion goes hand in hand with sustainable living, too! And in the modern day, we’re seeing more and more sustainable fashion trends. Nowadays, eco-friendly fashion is everywhere.
When we talk about eco-friendly fashion, it means clothes, shoes, and accessories made responsibly from recycled, organic, or repurposed materials – like hemp, GOTS certified organic cotton, bamboo, upcycled Tencel, or recycled ocean plastic. These materials reduce the environmental impact of making garments, compared to conventional fabrics like polyester and other petroleum based fabrics.
As the sustainable fashion industry continues to grow, more and more brands are selling eco-friendly fashion. Here are some of the trendy eco-friendly fashion items to look out for:
- Plant-dyed clothing
- Recycled materials
- Organic natural fabrics
- Repurposed vintage items
Plant-Dyed Clothing is one of the most exciting new sustainable fashion trends to hit the market. Instead of using synthetic dyes to colour fabrics, garments are coloured with natural plant-based dyes that don’t contribute to the pollution of our lakes, rivers and oceans. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also gives each garment a more unique look.
Recycled materials can be found on the catwalk too. Recycled fabrics like polyester made from plastic bottles, or post-consumer recycled cotton are being used to make stylish fashion pieces, while recycled nylon, polyester, and acrylic are also used.
3. Creating a Sustainable Wardrobe
Let’s make your wardrobe work harder for you. Transforming it into an all-purpose capsule of garments that cycle through the seasons in style. You don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe entirely, mixing sustainability and style doesn’t have to be a sartorial compromise.
- Quality over quantity. Investing in fashionable, yet well-made garments ensures they keep their shape, color and go-to staple status for years to come.
- Denim. Denim is a sustainable staple that’ll look great on everyone. It’s timeless, resilient and stylish. Look for manufacturer’s with serious sustainability credentials.
- Secondhand items. Adding a pre-loved item to your wardrobe is a great way to make an environmental statement. Shopping at secondhand stores also ensures your wardrobe is full of unique and eye-catching pieces.
Be bold with your wardrobe, you don’t have to replace the classics. But choose vintage shapes with a modern twist! Volume sleeves? Check! Floral and abstract prints? Check! Stonewash denim? Check! With a few tweaks you’ll be mixing timeless favorites with fresh takes. Get creative with accessories too, with a few statement pieces like bows and brooches, you’ll be wearing wardrobe staples in exciting new ways.
Finally, use fabrics that are kinder to the environment. From man made fabrics like bamboo to natural materials such as linen, there’s plenty of option to explore. Statement pieces made from sustainable materials might feel different initially ,but it’s worth it to have guilt-free clothes long-term.
4. Making an Impact with Sustainable Fashion
With the world being on the brink of an eco-crisis, one of the most encouraged changes is a shift to sustainable fashion. But how exactly can our individual clothing choices have an impact on the environment? Here is a look into how you can make an impact with your sartorial decisions:
- Research on Label: As a conscious consumer, do some research first on where your clothes are coming from and what their impact on the environment is. Make sure the pieces you are purchasing are made with sustainable materials that resonate with your values, and are produced by a reputable brand.
- Make Wardrobe Choice Wisely: Think twice before making a purchase. Do you really need another addition to your wardrobe? Or is there a great piece that you already have? Or a vintage piece you can source from a local store that resonates with your sense of style?
- Invest in Quality: Quality pieces are more likely to last longer and stand the test of time. Investing in quality and durability of your wardrobe will reduce the number of clothes produced and will require less resources for production.
- Donate & Upcycle: Donate and upcycle the clothes that no longer fit your style or age. There are so many ways to repurpose your old clothing pieces to make something new.
Taking the initiative to make important sustainable fashion decisions can make a huge difference. And teaching the younger generations to do the same is even more critical to protect the planet from the climate changes of today.
Go green in your fashion choices and create a great legacy for the future!
Fashion is an ever-changing industry that continues to drive our cultural trends, but the introduction of sustainable fashion is not only exciting but inspiring. From ethical process to eco-friendly materials, sustainable fashion ensures that we can continue to embrace our favorite looks with lasting style. So, let’s make an effort to dress sustainably, make an impact, and put the environment first.
