The fashion industry has long been known to be one of the most polluting and wasteful industries on earth. It is often thought that being able to produce clothing at an incredibly cheap cost is the only reason consumers buy more new garments than they can feasibly use or need.
However, as consumers become more conscious of their purchases and how it contributes to a sustainable future or our planet's environment, the demand for recycled or sustainable clothing is increasing. As a result, there has been an increase in companies and fashion lines that have begun manufacturing solely sustainable fashion.
But why is sustainable fashion important now more than ever? My guide is here to help. Here are some of the key reasons sustainable fashion is vital for 2022 and beyond.
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Sustainable Fashion Reduces Our Carbon Footprint
With global warming becoming a very real threat, it is important to reduce our carbon footprint in the industries that are responsible for a high portion of it. Fashion is no exception. Clothing manufacturing uses lots of energy and releases greenhouse gases into the environment, adding monumentally to the planet's current climate crisis. In fact, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions!
Sustainable fashion reduces this effect by using more organic materials which are less harmful to the planet than synthetic clothing alternatives. In order to keep costs down and reduce the amount of pollution we produce, sustainable fashion is key.
Sustainable Fashion Conserves Water & Other Natural Resources
Do sustainable fashion and saving the environment go hand in hand? Apparently so! When you buy sustainable fashion, you are conserving water because less water is needed to create clothing from organic materials. In addition, using recycled or repurposed man-made fabrics reduces the need for fresh fabric which also saves additional water.
Sustainable fashion also uses less energy and materials than other types of fashion, which is not only good for the environment but for us too. Sustainable fashion can help us conserve Earth's natural resources to better support human life on the planet.
Sustainable Fashion Conserves Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life that exists in a certain area or environment. Buying sustainable fashion enables people to appreciate this natural beauty as well as protect it from extinction. Sustainable fashion does not contribute to deforestation, another factor in biodiversity loss.
Sustainable fashion encourages the use of natural plant fabrics, which are renewable. Plant fibers can be grown back each year where synthetic man-made material is not. As a result, buying sustainable fashion helps to conserve Earth's biodiversity for future generations so they have the same opportunities to appreciate it as we do.
Read More: A Brand’s Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Fabrics
Sustainable Fashion Promotes Social Justice
By purchasing sustainable fashion you are helping to improve the lives of migrant workers by giving them fair wages or paying for their safe work environments. You do not have to sacrifice living a luxurious life to be socially conscious. It is possible to look good and feel good about what you are wearing, while still supporting your favorite brands that have socially responsible practices.
Sustainable Fashion Reduces Toxic Waste
When clothes are not made with toxic chemicals and dyes, there is a lower risk of having to deal with hazardous health issues. The production process for sustainable fashion does not release hazardous chemicals into the environment and thus reduces morbidity rates or potential risks.
Sustainable Fashion Decreases Consumerism
Fast fashion encourages people to buy relentlessly without thinking about what they are actually buying. This is because fast fashion gives consumers the lowest price for clothes and it seems like a great deal until they fall apart in one wash.
Sustainable fashion encourages individuals to take their time and think about what exactly they want to buy and where it comes from, while also allowing us to better value our garments and keep hold of them for longer.
Sustainable Fashion Saves Money
The production of sustainable clothing is more cost-effective than conventional production methods. The time and materials used while making sustainable clothing is no longer an issue when clothes last a lifetime or more due to high-quality fabrics. When you buy sustainable clothes, such as organic cotton trousers, you will not be visiting the dry cleaners on a weekly basis because they do not pick apart at the seams like conventional garments sometimes do.
Sustainable Fashion Increases Employment Opportunities
The need for clothing is always increasing, which naturally means more jobs are available in the fashion industry. Sustainable fashion creates many new jobs because more people want to make sustainable clothes and more consumers want to purchase them. The more sustainable fashion choices there are on the market, the better it will be for the planet and society as a whole.
Related Reading: The Brand-Friendly Guide To Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable Fashion Helps People Feel Good About Themselves
As human beings, we want to feel good about what we wear and take pride in our appearance. While this may seem selfish, it is another reason why sustainable fashion has become so important. Buying sustainable fashion can help people feel good about themselves because they know their clothes will last and they do not contribute significantly to the destruction of the environment. Sustainable fashion is also a great way to support small business owners who try to make a difference in the world.
Sustainable Fashion Builds Community
The Earth is a community and we should all take the time to learn about how our actions affect each other. If you buy sustainable clothes you are helping to build a healthy relationship between people and the planet. When everyone buys sustainable fashion, it will help create a stronger community that works together without destroying natural resources.
Sustainable Fashion Provides Transparency
By buying sustainable fashion, you are supporting the idea of transparency in the fashion industry. Sustainable clothing suppliers should disclose what chemicals were used to make their clothes and where the fabric was made. By taking an interest in how your favorite clothes are made you can increase awareness about sustainable options on the market.
Looking To Start Your Sustainable Fashion Line?
In 2022, people will be making a stronger effort to buy sustainable fashion. Businesses and brands should take the initiative now to stock products that people can proudly wear while saving the planet. To learn more about how we can start your own sustainable fashion line or develop your current ideas, read more about my Fashion Consultancy Services.
From sustainable Fashion Concept Creation to sustainable Fashion Production and more, I offer solutions for any brand looking to boost its prospects.
Contact me today to find out more!