Introduction
I can recall the incident that has altered my understanding of my wardrobes. Ethically, as I was standing in a fast fashion store in 2019, I was holding a t-shirt that was only five dollars in price, and I was asking how this could be possible at all? That question led me on a rabbit trail of research, factory documentaries, and interviews with garment workers that changed my thinking on clothing, radically.
Having spent years writing about fashion and talking to people who work in the fashion industry, I am now aware of why sustainable fashion is not a craze. It is a requisite change in the way we make, eat, and perceive what we wear.
The Wardrobe Environmental Crisis.
Here is one thing that really amazed me when I initially heard it: the fashion industry generates about 10 percent of carbon emissions. International flights and maritime shipping would be less than that. Let that sink in for a moment.
An average American disposes of an average of 81 pounds of clothing per year. A majority of this is found in the landfills, with synthetic fabrics taking up to 200 years to decompose. And the troubles do not begin, or end.
The cotton crop is a major source of insecticide, 24% of all insecticides in the world, and 11% of pesticides. One cotton t-shirt would use about 2,700 liters of water to make- enough drinking water to supply one person for about 2.5 years.
Three years ago,o I was in a textile dyeing plant in Bangladesh. The rivers around it changed purple, then blue, then green, according to the colors that were in fashion at that time. Local fishermen reported that they had reduced their catches by 70 per cent in the last 10 years. These are not some abstract statistics. They are actual repercussions to actual societies.
Human Price Behind Low-End Clothing.
In the 2013 Rana Plaza factory failure, 1,134 garment workers di, ed and thousands were injured. That tragedy was a milestofor to most consumers and activists, ists including me.
Nevertheless, the working conditions still pose a problem in most of the industry. In lots of countries, garment workers have salaries of less than 3 per day with the working time of 14-16 hours in stuffy buildings. Even in factories and cotton fields, child labor exists against the regulations set by international laws.
I interviewed one of the former Guatemalan seamstresses, Maria, who recounted how she would put on designer labels on clothes and sew them without taking bathroom breaks. "We were invisible," she said. Just hands making beautiful things make people who would never know our names.
Sustainable fashion resolves these injustices by making sure that there are fair wages, safe working conditions, and transparency of the supply chain. When you purchase a product from ethical brands, you are putting your dollar behind a different type of industry.
What Does it Mean to Make Fashion Sustainable?
The sustainability of fashion is not a box to be checked. It is an array of practicesthath lessen environmental and social ills. I have researched dozens of brands and certifications,s but came up with several important factors:
The choice of materials is huge. Organic cotton consumes much less water and none of the synthetic pesticides. Tencel and modal are made of wood sources responsible to a great extent. Recycled polyester also gives a new life to the plastic bottles, which would otherwise contaminate the ocean.
Production processes should be under review as well. There are also low-impact dyes, closed-loop water systems, and renewable energy in manufacturin,g all of which lessen the footprints on the environment significantly.
Pragmatic Smart Rebates To a Sustainable Wardrobe.
I will not say that it is a simple and cheap task to construct an ethical wardrobe. However, going through the process of switching my own wardrobe across multiple years, I have been taught some real-life strategies.
Start with what you own. The most environmentally friendly clothing is that which one currently possesses. Tend to your clothes, wash them infrequently, dry them by blowing when it is possible, and learn how to mend clothes effectively. I have givea new life to so many things by just using a needle and a thread.
Buy secondhand first. Thrift stores, consignment stores, and online resalers are treasure troves of good clothes at affordable prices. Estate sales and vintage markets were some of my best for getting some of my favorites.
Make strategic investmentsinn new products. In making a purchase, it is best to consider versatile, well-constructed items from transparent brands. Yes, an organic cotton dress with a price of $120 is more expensive than a fast fashion dress with a price of 20. However, cost-per-wear tends to support the quality product.
The Business Case for Change
Sustainable fashion is no longer ethically correct, but it is becoming more economically viable. It is estimated that the secondhand market will double within the coming years, reaching at least 77 billion worldwide. Large retailers are also adding rental schemes, repair services, and take-back schemes.
According to some, sustainable fashion is viewed as an elite characteristic, and only wealthy individuals can afford it.Theree is some truth in this regard. Nevertheless, the most sustainable alternative that is available to most of them is not purchasing products that are sustainable, but purchasing less, purchasingsecond-handd, and wearing longer. These options, as per income levels, are available.
Looking Forward
It is not going to change the fashion industry overnight. Complicated supply chains around the globe, pre-established business models, and consumer behavior all do not conform toa quick transition. But momentum is building.
European Union legislation currently demands more transparency in its supply chains. Mushroom leather and other materials made of algae are being transformed into stores. Principles of the circular economy are becoming popular among large brands.
My wardrobe is not the same as it was five years ago. Fewer of them, and better. More stories about each one. I am aware of the majority of my clothing producers and the way it was produced. Such knowledge is not only worthwhile in its own right, but it is also worthwhile in other ways as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sustainable fashion moreexpensivep?
Yes, at first glance, ethical brands have higher prices. Nonetheless, cost-per-wear tends to pursue quality products that are worn more. Second-hand shopping provides cheap, sustainable choices.
What do I need to do to find truly sustainable brands?
Find third-party certifications such as GOTS, Fair Trade, or B Corp. Find brand websites that show supply chain transparency and specific promises regarding the environment instead of general marketing statements.
What am I to do with old clothes?
Give away clothes to non-profit organizations, sell them via resale site,s or locate textile recycling centers. Never place clothes in normal garbage.
Is sustainable fashion a difference maker?
Personal decisions are addep to market signals that affect the industry actions. Major brands have already been compelled by consumer demand to be more sustainable.
So, what is the starting pointforf beginners?
Start by putting into use and taking care of what you already have. Be creative with your closet, learn how to repair thingsand , do some research before buying.
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