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by Ella Stafford
Sustainable fashion - its a buzzword we hear all the time: on tv, on social media, in all your favourite shops. But what does it actually mean? And how can we incorporate it into our wardrobes and everyday life?
Sustainable clothing and fashion refers to the fabrics derived from eco-friendly sources and how they're made. Yes, we understand that you can’t have every item in your wardrobe to be made of 100% cotton or linen, with zero water waste and zero transport costs. However, the fashion industry is one of the major polluting industries in the world, so in effect, if everyone made that one simple change to their lifestyle - from sourcing vintage or buying less fast fashion - together, we couldn't ignore the difference it would make.
1) Have an eye for vintage
Say goodbye to fast fashion and start welcoming those ‘one of a kind’ pieces. Not only can vintage shopping (mostly) be healthier to your bank account, it’s an opportunity to find clothing none of your friends will have, whilst helping the environment and creating your own unique style. That one shirt you’re wearing right now probably took up to 2700 litres of water to make. Think of the difference if instead of buying another, you went down to your nearest vintage shop and found a hidden unique treasure.
Don’t know anywhere to shop vintage? You can always start in your local Charity Shop. Failing that, here are some examples of stores in London where you can find a hidden gem:
Rockit
Beyond Retro
Atika
Collectif
Urban Renewal
2) Never EVER throw clothing away
‘Buy less, choose it well and make it last’: something I can't stress enough. Choose pieces you fall in love with and know will make last forever. Repair and don't replace. Dig out your Mum’s old sewing machine and reinvent the items you thought ‘weren't your style anymore’. And as a last resort, if it sits in your wardrobe collecting dust for months, it can make someone else happy. Your favourite clothing stores (H&M, levis, Monsoon) often have a return program to hand in your well loved clothes in return for money and discounts.
3) Re-Educate yourself
There isn't a single piece of harm in gaining knowledge in what is going to better the world that we live in. so, just check that label. The elements of your fashion are almost always transparently communicated on the label of your jeans, tshirts, jumpers meaning there's no excuse to make the right decision before you buy.
Hopefully, reading this very article has helped educate you on the dark, polluting side of the fashion industry. Now you are aware of some of the damage it causes, it’s your job to educate those around on how to make their clothing greener. A little change makes a big difference.
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