What is sustainable clothing? Materials and principles

What is sustainable clothing? Materials and principles

Choosing sustainable clothing can be a goal to consider today. Sustainability in fashion is a philosophy that major brands are increasingly adopting. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the environment to create an eco-friendly product, breaking with fast fashion trends.

If you want to know more about responsible and sustainable fashion, keep reading this post. We will explain what it is and the reasons that can motivate you to make the change. Are you up for it?

What is sustainable clothing?

What is sustainable clothing?

Eco-friendly clothing is a concept that encompasses balance from a broad perspective. People who share the idea of ​​environmental sustainability are aware of the pollution produced by fashion in recent years. According to the UN, this sector is responsible for 10% of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. It is also blamed for increasing wastewater by up to 20% worldwide.

This sustainable clothing has an objective beyond environmental care. It aims to establish fair production, respecting labor, in order to educate the population to avoid exploitation.

You may have seen ridiculous prices in different stores, encouraging the buyer to throw away a garment if it is no longer trendy. This has caused production to increase considerably, forcing the creation of a greater quantity of synthetic or cotton clothing. In the end, many of these end up generating tons of garbage and are rarely recycled.

Fortunately, awareness in recent years has led major brands to communicate this problem to their customers. Changing consumerist ideas is necessary if we want to preserve nature and recover artisanal traditions.

What is sustainable clothing made of?

Eco-friendly clothing is made from sustainable materials derived from natural sources such as organic or recycled cotton, linen, silk, pesticide-free wool, lyocell, Tencel, and recycled polyester. These materials are free of toxic chemicals, which means they have a lower environmental impact, from production to disposal. Some clothing brands also use biodegradable and/or bio-based materials such as Bto cotton or cellulose. These materials also help to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, producing a more sustainable garment.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Also, a lot of eco-friendly clothing is made with reinforced patterns and seams to improve durability. This means that the garment can be worn for longer, reducing the resources needed to manufacture it. Lastly, most of these garments are style- and fashion-conscious. This means that you can find a variety of options, from a sporty look to a more elegant one.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  

There are many reasons why you should look towards this sustainable fashion. Many designers of major catwalks have not hesitated to make the change. You can say that it is now the trend but, unlike past fashions, this one will last.

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Why is sustainable clothing important?

Why is sustainable clothing important?

As we have already indicated, the main reason is environmental conservation. Avoiding the pollution caused by fast fashion is a priority that humanity, especially our descendants, will appreciate.

Reducing toxic products in the atmosphere will not only prevent them from being destroyed quickly but also, by reversing the pollutants, we avoid the increase in diseases such as respiratory diseases. Human health should be a sufficient reason to encourage us to consume this sustainable fashion.

If you still have doubts about the arguments presented so far, we list more compelling reasons.

Recovering artisanal manufacturing

If you look back in time, you will realize how handmade clothing managed to survive among us. This was made possible by certain social movements, such as the hippie movement of the 1960s, which has since continued to influence other generations.

Many people followed these unique fashions, perhaps out of motivation, but without realizing the importance of their “handmade” origin. Fashion artisans know how to use natural resources, without resorting to chemicals, to create incredible garments. Although some major brands have tried to copy them, unfortunately, they have done so with materials that are harmful to the environment.

These fashion artisans have been economically devastated by not being able to compete in this huge market. The ridiculous prices of practically disposable garments have diminished artisanal production. The danger of extinction of this labor force has been latent in recent decades. Luckily, we have managed to reach it because of its survival in small towns.

By investing in artisanal products, you not only encourage this type of work, but you also manage to preserve entire villages that make a living from this.

The global economic balance

Rapid trends gave priority to the creation of monopolies. Between a few dozen brands, they managed to distribute to the majority of the world’s population. This undoubtedly affected the small artisanal producers that we mentioned earlier. Thus, the damage to the villages was twofold, by not allowing competition for the small producers and by polluting our environment.

Sustainable fashion is intended to appeal to these small producers, with many years of experience. But, in this case, the recycling movement does not want to underestimate the efforts of these people, seeking to pay them a fair price. This means that the ecological clothes you buy are a little more expensive compared to the fast fashion market.

Be aware of what fast fashion creates and use the clothes you already have in your wardrobe. In defense of the environment, you now have the perfect excuse to repeat an outfit without any shame.

With sustainable clothing, we can preserve our clothes for as long as possible, and thus, it allows us to take care of the environment. Through textile recycling and artisanal purchases, you will achieve the balance that society needs. Progress is now defined by our ability to preserve the environment and not by destroying it.

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