In an environmentalist’s mind, sustainable fashion is knowing exactly how your decisions affect the environment. Know how your clothing was manufactured, where it was shipped from and the materials that were used. You must be conscious of every small detail, such as the type of fiber and its average lifespan. Learn more about the main types of sustainable clothing and fashion.
Reused Clothing
Sustainable clothing is often reused and passed down from one person to another. You’ll find these clothes in thrift shops, auction sites, vintage shops and donation centers. It’s a good idea to shop around and look for high-quality, secondhand items.
Recycled Materials
Sustainable fashion is the use of recycled materials that are remade into new products that last for many years. Every tiny accessory is considered, whether it’s recycled thread from BionicYarn.com, buttons or shoelaces. Manufacturers are able to make recycled clothing look brand new and as strong as any other type of clothing.
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers are made using natural plant and animal fibers. Many fibers are grown on farms and not in factories that consume massive amounts of renewable or nonrenewable resources. Organic cotton is the most common natural fiber that is grown without the use of pesticides that harm the environment. Wool and silk are animal fibers, which are preferred over synthetic fibers, for being naturally soft, thick and warm along with more comfortable and durable.
Slow Fashion
There are companies that practice the concept of slow fashion that aims to “slow down” the production of fashion and make more efficient use of its resources. An important goal is to create a low carbon footprint. This is the amount of carbon dioxide and other toxic particles that are released during the manufacturing and shipping of clothing products.
Some clothing and shoe manufacturers consume a large amount of nonrenewable resources to make their products, such as oil, petroleum and coal. Their factories and warehouses may burn a lot of energy and toxic byproducts that are released into the air, water or soil. If you’re interested in sustainable fashion, consider all stages of the garment’s life cycle, and avoid those companies that do not use environmentally conscious methods.
The fashion industry is known for being wasteful, and many people are taking action to make its practices more sustainable. Nowadays, countless individuals and businesses are manufacturing, buying, selling and marketing sustainable clothing that brings little or no damage to the environment. Sustainable fashion is not another trend but a movement that is transforming the ways that people buy everyday products.
About the author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.