WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION & WHY DOES IT MATTER

It's been eight years since I started this blog, Sustainably Chic, and over a decade since becoming involved in sustainable fashion. Still, I am constantly evolving my views on sustainability and the fashion industry. There are so many different avenues within this industry on what constitutes a 'sustainable' garment, and I can understand how confusing and overwhelming this topic can become. I know you can buy books on this subject, but I also know many of you are busy and want quick answers. So whenever I dive into a topic I am not hugely invested in, I want to know its gist. So this guide is for those new to this beautiful world of sustainable fashion and wants a quick review. And at the end, share with me your journey with sustainable fashion!

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION?

The term 'sustainability' is often thrown around on social media, and it's trendy to see used in marketing (this is where a lot of greenwashing/fairwashing happens, unfortunately). However, I often find the context incorrect or not encompassing the entire concept. Sustainability is a term you can apply to almost everything. It's a balanced concept with the ultimate goal of sustaining the world in which we live. It's about future generations being able to enjoy the same things we do today. It has three equally important categories - environmental, social, and economical. There isn't one answer to this concept, and it will vary depending on where you are in the world, who you are talking to, and our ever-changing environment. We all have different values, which also play a part in determining the sustainability of a product. Therefore, keeping an open mind and realizing nothing is black and white is essential. 

Typically, for a garment to be considered 'sustainable,' it should be eco-friendly, ethically made, lasting, and accessible. We could make a long list of what a sustainable garment should be, but these are the key characteristics I look for when deciding on my purchase. I'll be creating a simple checklist at the end for you!

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FASHION?

Humans are now consuming 400% more clothing compared to 20 years ago, and on average, America generates 82 pounds of textile waste yearly. We buy more clothes than ever, but we wear them a lot less. We can mainly explain this by fast fashion's explosive growth in the past two decades. But this over-consumption of cheaply-made clothes is leading to the massive growth of textile waste, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. In addition, it is raising social issues that we can no longer ignore, such as human rights violations. The best thing we can do as consumers is stop supporting this industry. We should avoid fast fashion brands and start supporting sustainable clothing brands instead. Read more about this topic here.

OTHER CONSCIOUS FASHION TERMS YOU MAY FIND when reading about sustainable fashion

Sustainable fashion is the umbrella term for all the others listed below. They all play a part in sustainable fashion, but they don’t carry as much weight on their own.

Slow Fashion

We used to have four seasons in the fashion industry; we now have 52 (even more with some of the more prominent fast fashion brands). Every week, sometimes in a matter of days, fast fashion brands can turn over a new collection - a BIG collection. It’s rather insane how quickly it can happen. Slow fashion can be seen a lot with capsule brands and other brands practicing sustainability. They focus more on quality over quantity and timeless pieces that will never go out of style.

Eco Fashion

This type of fashion is focused solely on the environment and aims to keep its carbon footprint as minimal as possible. Many brands - especially in Fast Fashion - will launch ‘sustainable collections,’ but they will only replace the fabrics with something more eco-friendly and not pay the worker a fair wage.

Circular Fashion

I love this concept because it goes full circle. From production to end life, these garments retain value for as long as possible before returning safely back to the planet. It involves a lot of upcycling, recycling, mending, and repairing to lessen our use of raw materials. Learn more about Circular Fashion in this post here.

Zero Waste Fashion

With the gross amount of waste created in the fashion industry, brands are becoming more aware of their leftovers and using existing fabrics. Zero-waste fashion can be practiced in a few different ways. 1. Your production can create minimal waste with pattern cutting and its scraps used for different projects. 2. Fabrics and notions are pulled from discarded materials and clothing. Some brands will ensure every part of their business is zero-waste, which is challenging yet amazing! Find a list of zero waste fashion brands here.

Ethical Fashion

This term is typically about the way workers are treated. Does the brand pay the manufacturer fairly? Is the farmer growing the cotton treated fairly, as well? Depending on your values, you will look for different things when shopping ethically. For example, if you are vegan, you would ensure the product did not contain any animal products (we have a great post on vegan leather alternatives here).

Regenerative Fashion

This is probably the most important term of all of these, given our current worldly state. We have about 60 years left of topsoil, which is vital in feeding this planet. If we do not transform farming into regenerative practices, we won’t be able to grow anything later on. A few brands are now working with regenerative farms to create fabric; hopefully, many more will follow suit. You can also find several Regenerative Fashion Brands in this post here.

WAYS TO SHOP SUSTAINABLY & HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE WARDROBE

There are so many different ways you can be involved with sustainable fashion. A lot of the time, you probably already are doing something fashion positive without even knowing it! 

• Sustainable Brands: You came to the right place to find all the sustainable brands to check out. While I don't want you to do any unnecessary spending, if you're going to add something new to your closet, these brands are a great way to support a better fashion industry. They aren't perfect, but they try their best to make the industry fairer while caring for our beautiful planet.

• Thrifting: Some of us are lucky to have great thrift and consignment stores in our backyards. If you can find what you are looking for, I highly recommend doing so! It's wonderful to keep reloving a garment for as long as possible. We do this for almost all of our son's clothing. Also, please check out this popular post: 10 Used Clothing Apps for Second-Hand Shopping!

• Pieces You Intend to Love for Years: Sometimes, what you're looking for can't be found at a sustainable brand or thrift store, and it's perfectly okay to purchase a garment you know will be in your closet for many years. It may not be made in the fabric you prefer, or the brand may not be super transparent, but it holds a lot of weight in terms of longevity and value.

• Your Own Closet: I do a big try-on every few months and play with what I have. I end up falling in love all over again. Before getting rid of something, I suggest keeping it on hand for a bit longer. If it's a simple tear or in need of a button, take a day to do some mending. You can even start up a clothing swap with some of your besties. However, my best trick is to put clothes you have grown tired of in a suitcase and reopen them six months later. Most of the time, I fall in love with the garment all over.

Pro tip: unsubscribe from brand newsletters and unfollow on social media. This is a great way to break up with fast fashion and avoid unnecessary marketing & micro trends. I also suggest unfollowing influencers who push a lot of new products or do clothing hauls. Social media can be a great tool to learn, but it also creates a lot of needless wants.

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE FABRICS TO LOOK FOR

My textile courses in college (over a decade ago, I can't believe it!) were my favorite! I find this topic so interesting, and I love learning the process of creating fabric. There are a ton of different sustainably-made fabrics, so you have options! I'm listing the most popular ones you will find amongst sustainable brands. Make sure to look for materials that have been dyed with eco-friendly dyes or plants.

This blog has an entire section dedicated to sustainable fabrics and certifications.

• Organic Cotton: According to The World Counts, we produce 29 million tons of cotton a year, the same as 29 t-shirts for everyone on the planet. However, it is one of the dirtiest industries in the world. Many chemicals are used to refrain pests, and child labor is abundant. That's why purchasing organic cotton over conventional cotton is so essential. This ensures no harmful chemicals (less water, too) are used to grow the fiber, and there are stricter rules for farmers to adhere to. GOTS Certified Cotton is one of the best options on the market today. It ensures a clean fabric and an honest process from start to finish.

• Hemp: This fiber has so much potential and comes with many unique properties. You don't need any pesticides, it requires less space, it's incredibly durable, it's great for blending other fibers, and even the actual hemp plant absorbs more carbon than trees. You can learn more about hemp in one of my True Cost Series & this post here.

• Organic Linen: This is one of my favorite fibers. I love the look, and it's incredibly easy to care for. However, like cotton or any other fiber listed here, it depends on how it's grown and treated when spun into fabric. Find beautiful linen brands here.

• Wool: Nothing can quite keep you as warm in the winter as wool can. There are a lot of ethical farmers who produce this fiber, and it can be a great way to regenerate the land. Check out FiberShed to see how they nurture our soil through the wool. Not all wool is created equal, and we have an in-depth post on what to avoid.

• Lyocell: If you love the feel of silk or bamboo, this fabric is one you should try! One of my favorite forms of Lyocell, TENCEL, is created from sustainably-harvest eucalyptus trees and processed through a closed-loop system where solvents and water are continuously reused.

• Micromodal: This is the only type of modal you should purchase because it is composed of pulp from sustainably-harvested beech trees. I find Tencel a better option, but it's still one to mention here. It's also created in a closed-loop system like its Lyocell sister.

• Veggie-Tanned Leather: It is important to purchase leather that has been veggie-tanned rather than conventional tanning methods. There are a ton of chemicals used when processing leather, and many of them end up in waterways. Veggie-tanned does not use any toxic chemicals but still creates a lasting leather good.

• Eco-Friendly Vegan Leathers: Not all vegan leather is sustainable; most of it is made with virgin plastics. However, we have a great post giving you all the best alternatives!

To dive even more into the textile industry, please check out this post with 17 Innovative Fabrics That Make The Fashion Industry Greener!

A SIMPLE CHECKLIST WHEN SHOPPING FOR SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

• the fabric content is made with eco-friendly fibers and dyes

• the makers are paid a fair wage in safe working conditions

• the quality is made to last you many years

• the packaging and shipping method has minimal impact on the planet

• the brand is transparent about the entire process (we aren’t necessarily aiming for perfection, but at least genuine care for the planet and people)

• the size range and price is inclusive and accessible (this is an ethical topic on its own we can dive further into, but crucial within the sustainable fashion conversation - this also goes for representing many different races, bodies and backgrounds)

A sustainable closet is going to look different for everyone. We all have different values, budgets, access, and styles. It truly is an ever-evolving journey, but one which, hopefully, brings you joy and appreciation for what you have. When looking at a brand you are unsure of, ask! A simple email to their customer service might make a big difference down the road. Don’t see your size? Don’t see any transparency in manufacturing? Don’t feel there is enough representation of all women? LET THEM KNOW! I can’t tell you how many brands I’ve asked, ‘will you be doing this?’ or ‘can you do this?’. If enough people voice their concerns, it will help aid in more change.

Also, no brand is perfect, BUT hundreds strive to be as sustainable as possible, and we have them all on this site for you!

Thank you for reading this, and please share it with your friends so they can begin this journey with you! The more conscious closets we have, the better ;)

I’d also love to know in the comments below… what comes to your mind when you think of sustainable fashion?

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Looking for more SUSTAINABLE Clothing BRANDS?

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay Costello

Date: 2022-06-09T14:51:05+0000