Your Definitive Guide to Sustainable Fashion

Photo by Artificial Photography on Unsplash

Trends may come and go but there’s one super hot trend right now that is promising to stick around. That trend is sustainable fashion. While ethically conscious brands are doing their best to reduce the impact their production process has on the environment, the task also falls on us, the consumers, to start thinking about where our clothes are coming from and how much we throw away.

Here’s a rundown on what sustainable fashion means and why it matters to you.

What Exactly is Sustainable Fashion?

As it stands, it’s not possible for any clothing item to be 100% sustainable. Somewhere along the line, it’s going to contribute to someone’s carbon footprint.

Generally speaking though, sustainable fashion is fashion that is ethically conscious and wants to reduce its negative impact on the environment and fellow humans. For brands, this means fair wages, using sustainable materials like organic cotton, sourcing locally and making quality items rather than throw-away trends.

Why Does This Matter?

The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world. In fact, the industry is responsible for 10% of humanity’s carbon footprint. This is largely because of the rise in what we call “fast fashion”. We all love a bargain but the demand for cheap clothes means that brands are focused on mass production and cheap labor. This means profit for them, cheap products for us, but unfair trade and more pollution. The sad part is, lots of these items get thrown away.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvYy0G5AQ10/

How Can I Be More Sustainable?

If you want to help make a difference, one of the best things you can do is reduce your consumption of fast fashion. Instead of buying items you will wear a few times then throw away, go for higher quality items that will last you a long time. Before purchasing a new product ask yourself: “Do I really need this?” If, like us, you love getting your hands on new clothes, consider going second hand when you can or even taking part in fashion swaps. This means your own unwanted pieces won’t end up in a landfill and you can get your hands on some new items in return. It’s a win win.

How Can I Choose Sustainable Fashion Brands When I’m On A Budget?

Traditionally, sustainable fashion brands have been quite pricey. After all, organic materials, high quality and fair wages are all big expenses. Although we want all these things from our fashion, sometimes it can be difficult to make these decisions when on a budget. Luckily, the rise in sustainable fashion means that some of our favorite highstreet brands are releasing sustainable ranges. Here are some of our favorite affordable brands that are environmentally conscious:

  • Everlane
  • thredUP
  • Alternative Apparel
  • PACT
  • People Tree
  • Conscious Collection by H&M
  • Tribe Alive
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB-u1_7mZfl/