Why Sustainable Fashion is the Future of Style

According to theroundup.org, the fashion industry manufactures upwards of 100 billion clothing items worldwide every year.

Congruently, around 92 million tons end up in landfill due to being thrown away.

Moreover, only about 20% of textiles are received for recycling or reusing, and about 60% of all clothes are actually made with plastic.

All worrying statistics.

It’s for these reasons and more that the sustainable fashion movement has been born.

But what exactly is it, and how is it redefining the future of our individual styles?

In this post, we’ll explore these questions in further detail.

What Is Sustainable Fashion?

Have you ever dreamed of opening your wardrobe and browsing through a selection of clothes that not only look fantastic but also are made in a way that does not damage the environment?

Well, that, in a nutshell, is what the concept of sustainable fashion is about.

Essentially, it is a way to manufacture clothes using materials like organic cotton or recycled fabrics that are better for the environment, minimise waste, and ensure that those who make the garments are remunerated for their work ethically and fairly.

In recent years, the trend has gained notable traction, with brands like Nudie Jeans at Mapletstore being one of many brands around which you can now build a sustainable wardrobe.

Where did the term sustainable fashion come from?

The term sustainable fashion has its roots in the late 1990s, but it came to prominence in 2007 when the activist and author Kate Fletcher engaged in discourse around the responsibilities that should fall upon the fashion industry when making clothes. 

Far from being a passing trend, it is now a fully-fledged movement that many designers and influencers within the industry are increasingly getting behind.

Benefits of sustainable fashion

Sustainable fashion is seen as a direct competitor to fast fashion, which not only significantly contributes to the sheer volume of clothing items made every year but has also received a lot of negative press recently for the way it is produced.

Of course, one of the main benefits associated with this type of fashion is that it is good for the environment. Clothing made in the traditional way can have negative effects on the planet. However, items made in a sustainable way will reduce pollution levels and minimise the waste of resources.

Importantly, sustainable fashion is produced in a way that pays those workers who make the garments a fair wage and ensures they enjoy safe working conditions.

Perhaps most crucially, given that fashion is about what you wear, clothes that are sustainably made are often of a very high quality.

Typically, they are more durable, so that they will last you longer. Which, over the course of time, ensures they provide you with value for money for your purchase and help you contribute to less waste.

How is sustainable fashion shaping the future of style?

For decades, our perception of style has been based on what we think looks good and the price of a particular clothing item—whether that be something exclusive and high-end or at the cheaper, more affordable end of the scale.

However, since the sustainable fashion movement has gained traction, the focus has shifted in some quarters towards value for money and social consciousness.

As greater emphasis is placed upon saving the planet through aspects like eliminating the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills, even more fashion brands will eventually start producing garments that are made in an eco-friendly way.

Tips for a Sustainable Wardrobe

If you are ready to build a more sustainable wardrobe, there is no time like the present.

Here are some straightforward ways for you to begin the process.

1. Try thrift shopping

Instead of shopping at the plaza or mall, make a point of visiting thrift shops.

They are a terrific way to find retro, vintage, and nearly-new designer pieces at a much lower price than you would pay brand-new.

As they are pre-loved, they are, of course, recycled. Which means you are extending their life cycle for a little while longer.

2. Quality over quantity

Wherever you shop, you should adopt a quality-over-quantity approach. That way, you will ensure your wardrobe is full of clothes that will last the course of time.

Ideally, you should look for clothes that can be worn all year round, not just for a particular season.

You should also purchase pieces that you can easily mix and match. That way, you will maximise the value you get out of them.

Here is how you can match your size with your style.

3. Take care of your clothes

It is important to look after your clothes to further preserve their lifecycle, as this will reduce your likelihood of needing to replace them.

The better you treat your clothes, the longer they will last. So, make sure you follow the label’s care instructions, wash them irregularly and in cold water with eco-friendly laundry substances, and air dry them

Additionally, should they rip or tear, make every effort to repair them instead of throwing them away.

About Author /

Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommnedations in these articles.

Start typing and press Enter to search