7 things you should know about sustainable fashion

The importance of sustainable fashion

Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world. With the amount of textile waste in landfills, the huge amount of resources required to produce certain fabrics, pollution, sweatshops, child labor and other serious and destructive issues, it is clear that consumers and manufacturers must change their practices to minimize disruption to the ecological balance and seek a more humane, ethical and sustainable approach to fashion. In today's article, we will present 8 important aspects you should know about sustainable fashion and why linen is an indispensable and promising future for fashion.

The term

In technical terms, sustainability refers to avoiding the depletion of natural resources to maintain ecological balance. It includes all stages of the product life cycle - from planting and dyeing to manufacturing and utilizing a product. In short, sustainable fashion is about reducing CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring that garment workers receive fair wages and safe working conditions. While there are no easy solutions to the damage caused by so-called fast fashion, some habits can be changed to pave the way for a more sustainable fashion future.

The consequences of fast fashion | Why is it so hard to get rid of?

Social media, fast fashion companies, television and magazines have glorified the concept of large walk-in wardrobes, encouraging people to shop more and criticizing the idea of wearing the same outfit twice. Fast fashion companies and the media promote the idea of buying new clothes regularly, encouraging buyers to update their wardrobes with low-priced items. Studies show that most of these garments last no more than 10 years. Worn-out clothes end up in landfills, while consumers continue to buy more clothes. Until the mid-20th century, fashion designers only produced 4-season collections. This approach was more organized and less harmful. Today, fast fashion brands produce approximately 52 "micro-seasons" per year - or a new "collection" every week. Imagine that 53 million tons of clothes are put into the world every year. And this shocking number increases every year.

Sustainability | More than just buying less

The negative impact of clothing is not limited to landfills, the chemicals used to make, dye, and process many fabrics are harmful to our environment and ourselves. Fast fashion companies choose to produce clothing in third world countries to minimize costs. Did you know that there are approximately 8,000 different synthetic chemicals used to dye, bleach, and wet process clothing? These chemicals often cause illness and even death to farmers and cause serious birth defects to their children. According to the Journal of Environmental Health, conventional textile dyeing often releases "heavy metals and other toxic substances that can adversely affect the health of animals as well as nearby residents" into local water systems. This poses a real danger not only to workers in garment factories, but also to residents. Another important aspect to consider is man-made fabrics such as nylon, spandex, polyester, etc. These synthetic fibers are forms of plastic, and every time you wash a fabric made from these fibers, microplastics are shed, and many end up in the ocean, posing a threat to our biodiversity.

Linen vs Cotton | Why is linen better for the environment than cotton?

We all know that water is extremely important when it comes to growing and processing fabrics. Cotton, a staple fabric in the fashion industry, is highly dependent on water. What’s more, it is often grown in hot, dry regions where water is already scarce. Now you might be wondering if linen fabric is sustainable. Compared to cotton, flax uses 60% less water to grow. Moreover, every part of flax can be used to make a valuable product. There is no waste and the production is cost-effective. Flax is resilient and can be grown in poor soils, and its water consumption is much lower than cotton. Now you might mention organic cotton, which uses 91% less water than non-ecological cotton. Remember that to date, only 1% of the global cotton production is organic. This is mainly because the cost and investment required for materials and machinery is much higher.

Ethical issues associated with fast fashion

Most of the side effects of sustainable fashion we mentioned involve environmental issues, but issues of fairness and ethics are also important. Fast fashion companies violate basic human rights for the sake of fashion. We are all familiar with issues like sweatshops, child labor, unsafe and unfair working conditions, unethical treatment, less than a living wage, and so on. But somehow we tend to think that these are problems of the past. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Fast fashion brands build factories in third world countries to minimize costs and produce clothing as cheaply as possible, resulting in endless working hours, and unacceptable health and safety conditions. In addition, verbal and physical abuse is still common practice in many parts of the industry.

You can be a change maker | How to practice sustainable fashion?

Supporting sustainable fashion may seem like a lot of time and effort. Even just changing a few small habits can have a positive impact. Start by buying less and buying better. This means investing in quality and only buying clothing that you really need. If you can, choose natural fabrics over artificial ones. Not only are natural fabrics better for your health, they are also biodegradable. If the item is made from mixed fabrics, there is a good chance that it cannot be recycled and will end up in landfill. It is normal to get bored with the clothes you own, or feel the urge to buy something for an upcoming special occasion. If you are no longer happy with the clothes in your wardrobe, don't throw them away - resell them online, donate to a charity shop or give them to family or friends. It is better to extend their life cycle than end up in landfill, and best of all, that piece of clothing you are about to throw away may bring a lot of happiness and joy to someone else. If your clothes are worn out and can no longer be repaired or reused, look for recycling schemes that specialize in these items when possible. We know that sustainable shopping is a more expensive option and may require saving some money, which is where second-hand shopping comes in handy. Not only will you extend the life of these garments and reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe, you’ll also be able to find one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else has in their closet.

Is there something out there for you?

Oh, where do we start? By supporting sustainable fashion brands, you are also supporting people who are working to change the world. People who put their own selfish desires aside to try to make the fashion industry a better place. People who care about the future of our environment. By choosing sustainable fashion, you are looking out for everyone from the environment to the workers and communities that produce your clothes. Creating a time capsule wardrobe with high-quality, sustainable and timeless designs will also have a positive impact on your finances. It will save you money in the long run and save you time browsing online stores or visiting physical stores every week. A time capsule wardrobe guarantees that you always have something to wear. Each piece of clothing is easy to pair with other outfits, which means no more headaches when getting ready in the morning. These are just a few of the areas that sustainable fashion addresses and your actions can make a difference too. Why not start today?

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