The Future of Fashion
Fashion has always been a key factor in inspiring trends for centuries. From haute couture to off-the-rack outfits, many designers have inspired the general public. For a long time, designers have only focused on the product rather than the process but recently climate change has proven otherwise.
The manufacturing of clothes has contributed to the increasing greenhouse gas levels in our atmosphere. Additionally, due to the usage of water, it either pollutes or dries up water bodies. According to We Forum, 85% of textiles get dumped each year and since they are not easy to decompose, they are burned. This in turn results in toxic particles being released into the air which we humans later breathe; suffering from potential health problems.
Due to their negative impacts that have slowly revealed themselves in the form of climate change, the fashion industry has now realised the importance of sustainable fashion.
Sustainable fashion refers to the process of promoting change to the way clothes are being manufactured and sold for the betterment of our ecology. This particular concept involves both the customers and the brands.
How exactly can both parties contribute?
Brands
Be Transparent
Some brands are not transparent as to how their products are manufactured. This includes covering up the usage of animal testing or other unethical methods. Even though they know that it is wrong they still cover this up due to their increasing demands and the fear of losing profit.
Textiles
Buying organic textiles have proven to cause less impact on the environment compared to that of non — organic textiles. This is due to the chemicals used in producing quality textiles through the microfibers used. Some brands opt for vegan materials such as leather that is made from fungi which prevent animal cruelty.
Standardised Manufacturing Locations
It is common for materials to be exported to another country to contribute to the manufacturing process. The amount of shipping needed for this to take place contributes to marine pollution.
Circular Product Use
The linear product model includes a common endpoint in which the product is disposed of. In a circular model, the product is reused to prevent disposal much like recycling. Brands can think of the after usage period when manufacturing their clothes. Thinking about the long-term effects of their clothes will contribute to sustainability.
Stay Away From the Fast Fashion Model
Fast fashion includes the constant manufacturing of clothes in a short period of time due to the increased demands for a certain brand. This in turn would cause brands to use unethical methods to meet these demands even by stealing designs from other brands.
Customers
Buy Less Clothing
Mass buying clothing has proven to be redundant especially if you’re not going to wear them frequently. Hoarding your closet with clothes only to throw them out later is unethical. When these clothes end up in the landfill they get burned to aid in decomposing which only contributes to pollution and climate change.
Buy Higher Quality Items
Low-quality products have a very short life span. Some brands intentionally manufacture low-quality products so that customers would continue buying from them. Buying low-quality products would push you to mass buy more clothes thus, high-quality products prevent this from happening.
Staple Clothing
Staple clothing refers to the essentials that you need to have in your closet. By indulging in staple fashion, you tend to become minimalistic when it comes to your fashion choices and may even stick to a particular style.
Knowing your Style
Those who do not know what style they prefer tend to buy everything that seems nice to them. This contributes to hoarding which as mentioned before, leads to throwing away clothes.
Repurpose Clothes
If you have a piece of clothing that still can be used after refurbishing it, then do so. This way, you don’t have to keep buying new clothes if your old ones have simple tears that can be sewed easily.
Thrifting
If you’re unsure of the brands to go to, thrifting is always a sustainable method. Firstly, you can buy vintage pieces or second-hand clothes from thrift stores at a reasonable price. Secondly, if you have clothes that you don’t use anymore, you can sell them at thrift stores too. Either way, it’s a win-win.
In the end, sustainable fashion can be achieved if we all put a little effort into our parts.
By: Anyaa Shrii Kumar
