Sustainable fashion is on the rise. With the rampant global warming and alarming pollution rates because of the fast fashion industry, sustainable clothing has come as a savior to protect the environment.
Today, research shows that fast fashion comes with a heavy environmental price. In times when various brands are trying to tempt Gen Z and millennials to join the fast fashion movement, sustainable fashion is an emerging movement raising a voice of its own.
Let’s explore more of what ethical clothing has to teach us:
What Exactly Is Sustainable Fashion?
Sustainable fashion comes from any clothing item created or sold in a manner that has a minimal environmental impact. This means looking at the production processes, materials used, work conditions, and even how long an item will last.
For example, sustainable fashion advocates for natural materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. These fabrics use less water and energy compared to their synthetic counterparts. Also, many ethical brands are also transitioning to recycled materials such as plastic bottles and fabric scraps.
Just like with organic farming where farmers use environmentally friendly ways to produce food, sustainable fashion brands produce clothing through ethical practices and eco-friendly fabrics.
This type of fashion focuses more on quality rather than quantity.
In addition to being conscious of the materials used in fashion production, sustainable fashion also encourages brands to be mindful of their processes and labor conditions. Overall, sustainable fashion implies ethics throughout the entire process, from production to consumption.
The Growth of the Ethical Fashion Market
The growth of the ethical fashion market is undeniable. According to a recent study, the global sustainable fashion market size was valued at USD $7 million in 2022 and is expected to grow by 8.6% every year up until 2032.
As consumers become more educated about the issues surrounding fast fashion, they are increasingly looking for sustainable alternatives that prioritize the welfare of the planet, animals, and people involved in their production.
How Major Fashion Brands Are Becoming More Sustainable
The last few years have seen an increasing number of top fashion brands making sustainable changes to the way they produce clothing.
Major fashion houses such as H&M, Adidas, and Nike have all made significant commitments to reduce their use of synthetic materials and water in the production of their garments. They have replaced non-renewable resources with ones that are sourced responsibly, such as organic cotton or recycled polyester, in order to reduce their environmental footprint.
How to Build a More Sustainable Closet
There are plenty of ways to ease yourself into sustainable fashion without making a drastic change right away.
Shopping second-hand is an affordable way to start making more sustainable fashion choices. Not only does it provide a great opportunity to find unique pieces, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you’re reducing your footprint and helping extend the life of existing fashion items. And with online storefronts like eBay, Etsy, and Poshmark offering access to thousands of second-hand retailers across the world, you can find exactly what you’re looking for with just a few clicks.
It’s important to do your research when buying ethical fashion brands – some labels that call themselves ‘sustainable’ don’t always stack up when it comes to actual production practices. When in doubt, look for logos like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fairtrade Certified, and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which guarantee certain standards have been met in the creation process.
The practice of greenwashing, which refers specifically to unethical practices around labeling, is rampant in many industries. For instance, misleading marketing has taken over the gambling industry, which makes it crucial for players to do their research and be cautious about their platform choices. Luckily, there are many licensed and legitimate providers in Canada offering online slots that pay out real money rewards. This makes them similar to ethical fashion businesses that embrace transparency, disclosing all the details about deposits, payouts, and membership bonuses. Such transparency is also present in honest clothing labels that share accurate information about fabric composition and worker’s rights.
Clothing made from sustainable materials isn’t cheap. But they do tend to be higher quality pieces that will last longer than their traditional counterparts. Instead of buying lots of cheaper products that need replacing often, opt for one or two higher quality pieces made from materials such as organic cotton or bamboo that will last longer.
Conclusion
The rise of sustainable fashion is a reflection of the greater shift in our society’s attitude towards the environment and our responsibility to take a more conscious approach to consumption.
As an industry, fashion has witnessed an influx of ethical and sustainable brands that are striving to challenge the status quo and lead the way to a more sustainable future. Consumers have also begun to show an increasing willingness to support sustainable brands, and as this trend continues, it is likely that sustainable fashion will become the norm rather than the exception.
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