I’m really happy about sustainable fashion being a thing now. Anyone else? It’s been over 10 years since I first started becoming aware of our impact on the planet, and in that time we have seen catastrophic destruction to ecosystems and parts of the world as a result of climate change (as I type this the Amazon is on fire *sheds a tear*), and unfortunately it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Perhaps for you it feels like nothing you do will make a difference, but I’d rather live by my values, even if it feels like a drop in the bucket.
If you are like me and care even the slightest about the impact your lifestyle has on the planet then you probably desire to make some changes to your lifestyle.
The big question is HOW.
I believe in simple swaps and ways to make a difference without going totally off the grid. As a whole we are creatures of habit and naturally resist changing how we shop for our favorite products, eat our favorite foods, and discard the associated waste. Fortunately I believe we are going in the right direction and soon it will become easier and easier to make smarter choices.
One thing I’ve been doing lately is shifting from consuming Fast Fashion to focusing more on Sustainable Fashion.
What is Fast Fashion?
Fast Fashion refers to the trendy, of-the-moment designs at a cheap price point that move quickly from the catwalk into your closet. They are often replaced by newer designs within a season or two or fall apart after several washes due to their low quality production. The production, consumption, and disposal of Fast Fashion is alarmingly harmful to our planet. I talk all about the facts of fast fashion in my next post.
What is Sustainable Fashion?
Sustainable Fashion is a movement towards creating a global shift in fashion production and consumption that has less of a negative impact on the environment.
This is done on many levels. First, at the production level, clothing companies are now producing textiles with less chemicals and toxic dyes, thereby releasing fewer toxins into the water supply. Factories are also now considering the ethical treatment of their workers, ensuring they have a safe environment in which to work, as well as the basic human rights of factory workers.
Next, at the consumption level, the sustainable fashion movement aims to urge buyers to become more mindful about the clothing they are purchasing. As educated consumers who care about the environment we must know what type of an impact we are making through where we spend our dollars. By shifting away from shopping at fast fashion retailers and look toward high quality, ethical brands we can begin to tip the scales toward sustainable fashion becoming a major industry.
Lastly, sustainable fashion hopes to reduce clothing waste at the end of a garment’s lifecycle. Think of all the clothes you’ve ever worn in your life. Now imagine them all in a landfill. That’s where they go, unfortunately. By creating more opportunities for textiles to be recycled, and changing our habits with regard to our habit for flippant consuming and discarding of clothing after a few wears, we can hopefully reduce the amount of waste we are creating.
I also want to note that nothing is more sustainable than reusing or buying second hand.
Why is it the future?
- More than 50% of consumers plan to switch brands in the future if another brand acts more environmentally and socially friendly than their preferred one
- 75% of consumers view sustainability as extremely or very important.
- More than a third of consumers report they have already switched from their preferred brand to another because it credibly stands for positive environmental and/or social practices.
We’ve been seeing this shift in the food industry as we focus on local food, demanding organic, and bringing mindfulness back to grocery shopping. Similarly the fashion industry is beginning to see the same shifts in the values and desires of customers.
We’re not just demanding more products anymore like the generations before us. We are demanding transparency and choose brands that align with our values, not our checkbook. Sustainable and ethical fashion is not a small niche market anymore.
It’s up to us to become educated and mindful consumers. Are you going to support ethical and sustainable fashion brands?
The answer is yours. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
