Sustainable fashion has become a hot topic in recent years as more and more people are starting to realize the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry.
From producing textiles to disposing of garments, the fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation and social inequality. But what is sustainable fashion, and how can we make our clothing choices more sustainable?
What is Fast Fashion?
Sustainable fashion is a movement that aims to reduce the fashion industry’s negative impact on the environment and society. It encompasses a range of practices, including the use of eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes, and responsible consumption. Sustainable fashion is about creating beautiful and ethical clothes that don’t harm people or the planet.
An important aspect of sustainable fashion is ethical manufacturing. The fashion industry is notorious for using sweatshops and child labor, often leading to poor working conditions and low wages for workers. Sustainable fashion brands prioritize fair labor practices and ensure workers are paid a living wage and work in safe conditions. They also strive to minimize waste and pollution throughout the production process.
One of the worst brands for this is Shein. Shein spiked its popularity in 2020. Not only are these clothes extremely unethically manufactured they’re also shipped over from China, causing major air pollution, and most of the designs on the website are stolen from other brands and even small businesses. Many people have come forward to say their story, but nothing yet has been done about this as Shein has just become far too powerful to care about the number of underdogs they’re destroying.
Image: Flickr/Stefan Muller
What can we do?
Consumers can also play a role in sustainability in fashion by choosing to buy clothes that are ethically made and made from eco-friendly materials. By buying from sustainable fashion brands, we can support ethical manufacturing practices and encourage the fashion industry to become more sustainable. We can also reduce our environmental footprint by buying clothes that are made to last and by avoiding unsustainable fashion trends that encourage us to buy new clothes constantly.
Particularly in recent years, TikTok has been a huge contributor to fast fashion trends. We now see trends come in and out of style faster than ever, leading people to buy and over-consume to keep up. Not only does this fast turnaround of trends advocate for overconsumption and waste but it also means people will buy from cheap fast fashion brands like Shein, Prettylittlething, and Boohoo as they aren’t intending to wear these clothes for a long period.
In addition to buying sustainable fashion, we can also take steps to extend the life of our existing clothes. This can include repairing damaged clothes, donating clothes we no longer need, and buying secondhand clothes. By keeping clothes out of landfills, we can reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact and create a more sustainable future. Although a lot of people are switching to buying second-hand and from charity shops, this is not an opportunity to then go and overconsume in these places as there are still people that have no other option than to buy from here and overconsumption is stripping that away.
Where Could I Shop?
Many sustainable and affordable fashion brands are available today, making it easier for consumers to make conscious choices while staying within their budget. Here are some examples of sustainable and affordable fashion brands:
- Everlane: Everlane is a popular brand committed to transparency, ethical production, and sustainable materials. They offer a wide range of sustainable and affordable basics, such as t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters.
- Patagonia: Patagonia is a well-known brand that prioritizes sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices. They offer a range of sustainable and affordable outdoor wear, including jackets, vests, and backpacks.
- Pact: Pact is a brand that specializes in sustainable and affordable organic cotton basics for men, women, and children. They are committed to using eco-friendly materials and fair labor practices.
- Reformation: Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand that uses sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices to create stylish and affordable clothes. They offer a range of sustainable and affordable dresses, tops, and jeans.
- People Tree: People Tree is a sustainable and affordable fashion brand specializing in fair trade and organic cotton clothing. They offer a range of sustainable and affordable dresses, tops, and trousers.
These are just a few examples of the many sustainable and affordable fashion brands available today. By supporting these brands, consumers can make a positive impact on the environment and support ethical manufacturing practices, while also staying within their budget.
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