Whenever one scrolls down their social media profile, not coming across the phrase, “sustainable fashion” is perhaps impossible in today’s times.
When the earth’s natural resources are on the verge of depletion and climate change is a reality, switching to a more sustainable mode of fashion is inevitable. This is especially true for a massively populated country like India. This is where each season sees innumerable fashion trends. And the big fat Indian wedding is an industry of its own.
If you vouch for ethical and sustainable fashion or wish to know more about it, this article is for you.
What is Sustainable Fashion?
As the name suggests, sustainable fashion has a lesser impact on the environment while caring for humanity as a whole. Attaining sustainability in fashion and textiles is an ongoing revolution that seeks to minimize environmental impact. Also, reduce carbon footprint, and enhance the quality of life of people associated with the sector.
Although numerous fashion brands often loosely use the term “sustainable fashion”, fashion that is circular, made out of natural fibers, and in smaller batches utilizing lesser natural resources while defying all the fad trends can be said to be truly sustainable. Recyclable packaging and supporting local businesses are other indispensable features of sustainable fashion.
For example, if you are getting married soon and wish to wear a wedding sherwani that can never be repeated, this is not sustainable fashion. But choosing a sherwani or a kurta set for men crafted locally and that can be worn numerous times is an example of sustainable fashion.
5 Reasons for Sustainable Fashion to Be on Trend
Since times immemorial, people have been stern believers in “sustainable fashion.” From passing clothes down the generations to sourcing garments and other fashion accessories locally, the basic idea of “sustainable fashion” was never alien to people. It was only after the surge of television soaps and social media that slowly short-lived fashion trends came up. It destroyed the idea of sustainability in fashion.
However, now more and more people are slowly mending their approach to fashion and are keen supporters of sustainable fashion. Here are five reasons you should support it, too.
1. Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
The fashion industry emits a humungous amount of greenhouse gases. They are detrimental to the lives on the earth and are actively leading the path to global warming. Furthermore, the unsustainable petroleum-produced fabrics – such as polyester, elastane, nylon, and acrylic, that are fast-fashion, are cruelly responsible for filling landfills and choking the oceans.
Sustainable fashion seeks to utilize natural or recycled fabrics that are biodegradable, high quality and made using lesser natural resources and fertilizers.
2. Utilizes Less Natural Resources and Water
One of the prime reasons for championing sustainable fashion is that it seeks to utilize natural resources as less as possible. Organically produced fabrics such as hemp, cotton, linen, and banana fibers, are some of the most under-utilized fabrics that sustainable fashion vouches for.
The regularly produced cotton – though natural – is not sustainable since its water utility is pretty high. A piece of garment is sustainable when you use organically grown cotton or Kala Cotton (an indigenous variety of organic cotton found in Kutch, India).
3. Believes in Circular Fashion
If there is one thing that sustainable fashion detests the most, it is buying for a one-time affair. Instead, “buy less, wear more” is the mantra that sustainable fashion lovers across the globe swear by. Inevitably, this mantra has seen numerous sustainable brands coming up with fashion products that are high on quality and ensures longevity. Especially smaller and homegrown brands
Alternately, the thrifting culture represents circular fashion like no other. It has also recently gained much prevalence owing to the boom in sustainable fashion. Thrifting ensures that you can fully utilize a piece of a garment before it goes out for recycling.
4. Supports Fair Trade
Fairtrade is at the heart of sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion seeks to lower one’s carbon footprint by producing locally and in lesser quantities. In addition, providing job scope to local artisans and weavers. Furthermore, the core idea of sustainable and ethical fashion is to do away with modern-day slavery. Also, to provide optimal wages and safe working conditions for all.
If you’re investing your hard-earned money to support sustainable fashion, question brands about their fair-trade policies before making a purchase.
5. Supports the Idea of “Love Your Clothes”
The recent “Who Made Your Clothes” trend on social media has been winning hearts. After all, the crux behind it was to raise awareness about all the people working at the grass-root-level to make a single piece of garment.
As a consumer, it feels wonderful to know the people who wove, crafted, and tailored the garments you’re wearing with utmost love and care. It urges you to fall in love with your garment – something sustainable fashion advocates.
Sustainable Fashion is on Trend Wrapping up
As a consumer, the most wonderful thing about sustainable fashion that you might like is the transparency it offers. From letting you know about the composition of the garments or accessories to the people who made them, sustainable fashion seeks to enhance the relationship you share with your clothes. This bond lasts years rather than single wear.
If you’re interested in Sustainable Fashion, you’ll also like the following piece: What Is Sustainable And Ethical Fashion?
* Natasha Sharma, Marketing Manager at JadeBlue
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Fashinnovation’s columnists are their own, not those of Fashinnovation.
