What Is Sustainable Fashion?
Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend – it is a lifestyle dedicated to the environment and its people. It means purchasing clothing that is designed with eco-conscious materials and made with ethical labor practices.
Sustainable fashion is also all about quality and conscious consumerism, and it is the opposite of “fast fashion.” Fast fashion is a business model where retailers seek to rapidly reproduce high-fashion runway looks at an inexpensive cost for the everyday consumer. Unfortunately, fast fashion often uses cheap materials and unethical labor practices to keep prices low. When you choose sustainable fashion, as opposed to fast fashion, you are supporting a better planet that prioritizes quality and ethical treatment of people over quick trends.
Sustainable Fashion Practices
Upcycling: Turn Your Old Clothes into Amazing Pieces
Maybe you’ve wondered, “What is upcycling?” Upcycling means taking something you would normally throw away or donate, such as an old jean jacket or damaged designer handbag, and turning it into something fabulous. Perhaps you cut up an old dress and turn it into a cute crop top for summer, or paint a few pretty flowers on a damaged handbag to give it a refreshed artsy vibe. Upcycling clothes gives you the chance to practice ethical consumerism 1.3K and give your closet a new life at the same time.
Recycling: A Fresh Start for Old Items
Recycling in sustainable fashion is also a great way to practice conscious consumerism. Instead of letting materials like plastic or rubber pile up in landfills, sustainable fashion brands give these materials a glow-up. Sustainable fashion brands use items like plastic bottles or old tire treads to create stylish new pieces, such as cute jackets, tote bags, or shoe soles.
Zero Waste: Fashion Designs with No Scraps Left Behind
Zero-waste fashion is another form of sustainable fashion. Designers make sure no material is wasted, such as by focusing on certain pattern-cutting techniques to eliminate waste or ensuring a piece of clothing uses all material. When you choose these sustainable fashion brands, you are supporting conscious consumerism.
This leads to the question: “What is consumerism? And why should I care?” At its core, consumerism is the inherent drive to buy and prioritize more “stuff,” which ultimately harms the environment with considerable waste. However, in modern times, more and more alternatives to traditional consumerism are emerging, as mindful and conscious shopping continues to be a priority for a growing number of individuals.
How to Choose Sustainable Fashion Brands
Perhaps you want to support sustainable fashion, but don’t know where to start in choosing the best eco-friendly brands. You can start by doing some research to learn about the brand’s background, story, and corporate policies. Where do their materials come from? What are their labor practices, and how do they treat their workers? Does the brand have any policies or certifications to show that it engages in responsible supply chain sourcing, such as sourcing cotton from ethical places? Fair Trade certifications can show the brand is serious about ethical consumerism.
You can also look into sustainable fashion brands such as Karma Totes that embrace upcycling fashion. They may take old items and turn them into cool pieces. Check out designers that explore upcycling ideas – such as those that turn vintage concert tees into incredible handbags or create cool patchwork jackets out of denim scraps.
Why Sustainable Fashion Matters
Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend – it is a movement dedicated to protecting our planet and supporting the workers who make our clothes. By joining the movement, you are using your money to support fashion brands that align with these values and have a significant impact on the world around you.
