When it comes to fashion and sustainable living, there’s a lot to consider. Should you buy new clothes or repair the ones you have? Should you invest in high-quality fabrics or opt for something more affordable?
And what about the environmental impact of your purchases? While these questions may seem daunting at first, they’re important to ask if we want to live sustainably and ethically.
Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for eco-friendly clothing that will make your life easier (and hopefully healthier) too!
Here’s everything you need to know before switching over to an eco-friendly wardrobe:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Sustainable fashion is an important movement towards minimizing the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and society. |
| Building a sustainable wardrobe can be affordable with the right tips and tricks. |
| The fashion industry’s fast fashion practices have significant social and environmental impacts, and the future of fashion lies in eco-friendly practices. |
| Men can also participate in sustainable fashion by choosing ethical and sustainable clothing brands and fabrics. |
| Additional resources, such as blogs and articles, can provide more information and tips for participating in sustainable fashion. |
1. It Helps Protect the Environment
Clothing and textiles are made from a wide range of materials, so it’s important to consider your own personal impact on the environment when deciding what kind of clothing you should buy.
According to Greenpeace, clothing production is one of the top three polluting industries in terms of CO2 emissions—and each year more than 400 billion pieces of clothing are thrown away worldwide.
That’s why buying eco-friendly fashion can help reduce your impact on the environment by reducing energy use and water consumption during production, decreasing pollution caused by disposing clothing (which often ends up in landfills), and reducing chemical use during manufacturing processes (e.g., dyes).
Building a sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive. Our guide on creating a sustainable wardrobe on a budget provides practical tips and tricks to help you transition to eco-friendly fashion without breaking the bank.
2. Eco-Friendly Fashion Is Ethical
When it comes to choosing eco-friendly fashion, there are a few things you should know.
The first thing to keep in mind: Not all eco-friendly clothing is ethical. In fact, many companies that claim their products are “green” or “eco-friendly” may be using more harmful materials than they let on.
Eco-friendly clothing means that the manufacturer has made an effort to reduce their negative impact on the environment and society by reducing waste and resource consumption at each stage of the production process.
Ethical clothing means that not only does your clothing not harm the environment or other people, but it also doesn’t exploit workers or use unethical labor practices during manufacturing.
You can tell if a company is ethical by looking for certifications like Fair Trade USA, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (Oeko-Tex stands for “Outdoor product ecology”), and/or Made in USA certification from Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).
These labels indicate that your clothes were manufactured ethically—but they don’t mean they’re eco-friendly!
To find out whether something is truly eco-friendly, check out its packaging—if it’s recyclable or biodegradable (like cardboard instead of plastic) then it might be worth your hard earned cash!
3. It’s Good For Your Health
- There are no toxic chemicals in eco-friendly clothing.
- You don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals seeping into your skin when you wear them, which means you can wear your favorite eco-friendly clothes as often as you want without worrying about it affecting your health.
- You won’t get rashes or breakouts from wearing eco-friendly clothes because they don’t have any harmful ingredients in them that could cause those types of reactions on the skin.
| Benefits |
|---|
| Sustainable fashion reduces exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins found in conventional fabrics. |
| Choosing natural, breathable fabrics can reduce skin irritation and promote overall health. |
| Supporting ethical and sustainable fashion practices can improve working conditions for garment workers and support fair labor practices. |
| Mindful consumption habits can lead to less stress and more mindful living. |
4. It Keeps Money In The Community
Buying local keeps money in the community and supports local businesses, which helps keep jobs in the community and also helps keep the tax base strong.
The more people buy local, the stronger your business will be, which means you’ll be able to hire more people.
So when you buy from companies like ours who sell eco-friendly clothing made by hand in our workshop here in New York City (not Hong Kong), not only are you doing something good for yourself and your body but you’re also supporting small businesses like ours!
The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world. Learn more about the impact of fast fashion on the environment and why switching to sustainable fashion is more important now than ever before.
5. It Creates Jobs
The fashion industry is one of the largest industries in the world, employing millions of people and providing income for many more.
In fact, it’s such a significant source of employment that it has been called “the world’s largest employer.”
Because fashion is such a big business with so many laborers involved, it also helps to create jobs for people who are disabled—an often overlooked group when we think about jobs being created through sustainable practices.
This includes those with mental disabilities or physical disabilities who are able to work if they have access to adequate tools like wheelchairs and prosthetics.
6. Creates New Solutions For Old Problems
The fashion industry is a major contributor to pollution and climate change. This isn’t debatable—the facts are there for all of us to see. The fashion industry:
Consumes over 70 billion square meters of cotton each year, most of which comes from genetically modified plants that are heavily treated with pesticides and fertilizers.
Produces 1/3rd of our plastic waste, mostly from disposable items like clothing.
Wreaks havoc on small communities in developing countries by outsourcing jobs overseas and importing cheap materials at the expense of workers’ rights (labor laws are often overlooked or ignored).
Sustainable fashion is not just for women. Check out our guide on sustainable fashion for men to learn more about ethical clothing brands, sustainable fabrics, and tips for building a timeless wardrobe.
7. Encourages Transparency Between Manufacturers And Consumers
One of the reasons that fashion is so wasteful is because of how far removed it is from the consumer.
As a manufacturer, you’re not likely to be honest with your customers about what exactly goes into making your products or where they come from.
In an eco-friendly clothing industry, however, you’ll want to be transparent with consumers because they’ll trust you more as a brand and buy more from you in the long-run if they know what kind of company you are.
8. Clothes Last Longer
One of the biggest benefits of buying high-quality clothing is that it lasts longer. A well-made dress shirt will stand up to being worn and washed repeatedly, even after several years. But if you buy a cheap shirt made with poor quality materials, it might only last for one season.
If you’re looking for an investment piece—something that will last for years to come—then consider investing in some high-quality items from brands like Uniqlo or Everlane.
9. Reduces Waste And Pollution Caused By The Disposal Of Clothing
By reducing the amount of clothing you buy, you’re also reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills. According to the Global Fashion Agenda, clothing is the second most common form of waste in landfills.
The Global Initiative Against Trans-Boundary Pollution estimates that waste from clothing accounts for 8% of global waste and 1% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Disposable clothing is a major contributor to pollution, accounting for 20% of all water pollution and 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
The future of fashion is eco-friendly, and it starts with conscious consumerism. Read our article on the future of fashion to discover the latest trends and innovations in sustainable fashion.
10. Future-proofs Your Wardrobe
Here’s the thing: if you’re going to invest in clothes, it’s worth making sure they’ll last. Eco-friendly clothing is generally made of higher quality materials that are better able to withstand wear and tear.
The fabrics used tend to be more durable, so they won’t break down over time like cheap synthetic materials do.
Also, eco-friendly fashion tends to be made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool instead of synthetic ones (which means no polyester).
Natural fibers are also less likely to contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde or flame retardants—and because they’re biodegradable and compostable (or recyclable), your wardrobe won’t end up polluting the planet for thousands of years after you go extinct!
| Benefits |
|---|
| Sustainable fashion is a long-term investment that saves money in the long run. |
| Investing in timeless, high-quality pieces reduces the need for constant replacements. |
| Choosing versatile pieces allows for more outfit options and reduces the need for excessive clothing. |
| Supporting sustainable fashion practices helps to ensure that the fashion industry will continue to prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices. |
11. Eco-Friendly Clothing Is More Versatile And Trendy
One of the biggest benefits of eco-friendly fashion is that it’s more versatile and trendy. Because you can wear your clothes for longer periods of time, you don’t have to worry about wearing them out.
The same goes for mixing and matching different pieces from your wardrobe—you can do this with ease because there are no worries about fading or fraying fabrics!
Plus, the materials are often soft and comfortable on your skin which means you can wear them all day long without getting hot or bothered by itchy fibers like cotton would cause.
These aspects make eco-friendly garments perfect for dressing up an outfit while also keeping things casual enough that they don’t feel like formal wear either—an important factor when choosing what clothes to buy every season!
Interested in eco-friendly fashion but don’t know where to start? Our list of 10 sustainable fashion brands is a great place to begin your sustainable fashion journey. Discover ethical and sustainable clothing brands that prioritize environmental and social responsibility.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the benefits of eco-friendly fashion, and why it’s something worth considering.
There are many more reasons why it matters to be conscious about what we wear and where our clothes are coming from, but these three points should be enough to convince you that making a change is worthwhile.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about sustainable fashion:
Sustainability and Sustainable Fashion – This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability in the fashion industry, including the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, as well as the benefits of sustainable fashion practices.
8 Reasons Why Sustainable Fashion Matters – This blog post explains why sustainable fashion is important, from reducing waste and carbon footprint to improving working conditions for garment workers.
Why Sustainable Fashion Is Important – This article discusses the importance of sustainable fashion for both the environment and society, and offers tips for how individuals can make a difference.
FAQs
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion is a movement towards clothing and accessories that are produced and consumed with minimal impact on the environment and with fair labor practices.
Why is sustainable fashion important?
Sustainable fashion is important because the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world and has significant social and environmental impacts. By choosing sustainable fashion, we can reduce waste, carbon footprint, and improve working conditions for garment workers.
How can I participate in sustainable fashion?
You can participate in sustainable fashion by shopping from ethical and sustainable brands, buying secondhand clothing, and taking care of your clothes to extend their lifespan. You can also educate yourself on the impacts of fast fashion and advocate for more sustainable practices in the industry.
What are some sustainable fashion materials?
Sustainable fashion materials include organic cotton, recycled polyester, Tencel, and hemp. These materials are grown or produced with minimal environmental impact and can be recycled or biodegraded at the end of their life cycle.
How does sustainable fashion benefit the environment?
Sustainable fashion benefits the environment by reducing waste, carbon footprint, and pollution associated with the production and disposal of clothing. It also promotes responsible use of natural resources and encourages the development of sustainable production methods.
I am Hellen, I’ve been passionate about sustainability for as long as I can remember. It’s something that my mom taught me from a young age, and it’s something that has shaped my life in so many ways.