You might think that compared to animal agriculture or heavy industry, fashion doesn’t have an unusually large impact on the environment. But when you realize just how many mines there are all over the world to extract precious metals for jewelry, how many cotton fields there are to make our clothes, and how many giant tankers freight clothing from one country to another, you soon realize that what you wear really does make a big difference to the planet.
Today, many of us are looking to make more ecologically-friendly fashion choices which help the planet and make life sustainable for our children and grandchildren. Here are some things you can do today that are both fashionable and sustainable.
Buy Clothes Second Hand
Every year, Americans throw out more than a million tons of clothing. According to estimates, upwards of two-thirds of those clothes could be resold, giving somebody else a new outfit and saving on all the resource costs of making clothes. The great thing about second-hand clothing is that you’ll often find vintage items - something stylish from the past that you can wear today.
Also, keep an eye out for great bargains. You’ll be amazed at some of the designer items people throw out and how cheaply you can find them in charity and secondhand stores.
Choose Sustainable Brands
Some brands go out of their way to be more sustainable than others, using fewer resources and emitting less CO2. According to a Brilliant Earth review, fashion businesses address everything from environmental issues to education in many of the poorer countries where they operate. Next time you go shopping for designer clothing or jewelry, take some time to look at the brand’s website. Do they support sustainable practices? Or are they exploiting resources and labor in developing countries?
Always Choose Natural Fibers Over Synthetic
Do you know your natural fibers from your synthetic? If you’re interested in saving the planet, you should. Natural fibers include anything which can grows in the ground. That includes wool, bamboo, and cotton (yes, you can get clothing made from bamboo these days!). Avoid synthetic fabrics, most of which are made from the byproducts of an oil refining.
Choose Locally Made
Transporting clothes from one location to another uses up a fabulous amount of resources. That’s why so many fashion-conscious people now prefer to source their clothing locally. And with a growing community of artisanal tailors, the breadth of choices available to consumers is growing by the day.
The great thing about locally-produced clothing is that you get to see the conditions under which the clothing was made up close and personal. Often artisans are hobbyists who employ just a handful of people in small workshops - all of whom want to be there.
Up-cycle Your Old Items
Rather than put an old dress in the trash just because it went out of date, why not make a few alterations or re-purpose it? You’ll be amazed how you can transform any item of clothing from something drab into something delightful with just a few simple changes.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS GROWING FASHION TREND?
LET'S GET SOCIAL...