As many of us want to reduce our impact on the planet and conserve precious resources, sustainability is a key issue in every aspect of our lives, including what we wear. This article will explain why making sustainable fashion choices is important both personally and globally, and how to implement changes to make your wardrobe more sustainable.
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion means sourcing, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories in a way that doesn’t have a large-scale negative impact on the environment. This involves selecting raw materials that are readily available and/or materials that have been recycled or can be recycled after use.
Sustainable fashion also goes hand in hand with ethical fashion, which is about considering the impact of our clothing on humans as well as on the environment. Fueling human rights abuses around the world is so-called “fast fashion ,” which allows people to work in harsh conditions for low wages in order to quickly produce cheap clothes so they can be sold in large quantities to consumers. Getting out of this mold means thinking about where our clothes come from, who is making it, and under what conditions.
how to know
Sustainable fashion is also known as “slow fashion” because clothes take longer to make and arrive, but are also designed to last longer without replacement because trends have changed or because they have worn out. The clothes may take longer to make and ship to you, and initially cost more due to workers getting a fair wage for the work and materials used.
You’ll be able to recognize these slow-fashion garments because they’re often made from ethically sourced organic or recycled materials. Sustainable apparel companies will actively work towards carbon neutrality and low waste. They will also understand consumer concerns about ethics and sustainability and be open to their business partners.
Sustainability can also be applied to accessories and clothing, and you can play your part by considering the environmental and human impact of the jewelry you choose, for example by choosing a diamond ring that contains ethically sourced diamonds.
Why is it important?
Sustainable fashion is important for many reasons. First, it improves working conditions for apparel manufacturers around the world and helps ensure that the people who make our clothes are paid fairly and can do so in a safe environment. Sustainable fashion choices can also reduce our personal carbon footprint by reducing emissions, reducing waste and conserving vital water .
how to execute
One way to make more sustainable fashion choices is to choose second-hand pieces from charity shops and markets and to reuse or upcycle old clothes where possible. When shopping for new items, avoid fast fashion stores and choose quality clothing from reputable retailers. This might mean buying fewer pieces, but the benefit is knowing they’ll last longer and be less likely to fall apart or become obsolete quickly. It’s also important to research companies before buying from them so you can make sure their ethics align with your own.