We’re sure you’ve seen the term “sustainable fashion” before. But what does it really mean? And what does it mean for you? 

Sustainability in fashion has been a buzzing topic in the past couple of decades. And rightfully so — fashion production accounts for 10% of carbon emission worldwide, according to Business Insider. The fashion industry is also said to be among the biggest consumers of fresh water in the world. Not to mention the amount of textile waste the industry creates. Did you know that 85% of textiles go to dumps each year?

It’s apparent what this does to the environment, of course. But how does this affect you? It goes without saying that anything that affects the environment affects us, maybe not directly at first but more apparently as the damage worsens. 

You probably already know that, which is why you’re here. But you’re not really sure what sustainable fashion means and how you can take part in the movement. Lucky we’re here to help!

What it really means to be sustainable

There’s a big conversation about what it truly means to pursue and support sustainable fashion. One of the many topics people are torn about: Is keeping a fast fashion item for years — not throwing it away — considered sustainable? Yes, but it’s not completely sustainable because the way your piece was made is not sustainable. Simply put: Fast fashion can never be sustainable.

What is fast fashion?

The term, coined by the New York Times, refers to low-cost garments made to promote and ride on fast-changing trends. While the regular fashion calendar follows four seasons, fast fashion pushes the pedal with a weekly release cycle. Ergo, textile waste. 

There’s also the ethical side (or lack thereof) of fast fashion. In order to offer their products at incredibly low prices, materials and wages — not to mention working conditions — are the least of their priorities. 

So what is sustainable fashion?

In a nutshell: The complete opposite of fast fashion. Slow fashion and conscious brands are what you need to be looking for. There is no perfect way to be sustainable, of course. There is no brand that’s completely zero waste; it is just not possible in a production process. However, there are those that find ways to lessen their share in carbon emissions. 

Slow fashion brands, for instance, only create products when they are bought. This ensures that there is actual demand for the product — meaning there is a lesser chance that it will go to a landfill because it was bought with intention — and there is no excess in materials bought for its production. 

Sustainable brands also prioritise the use of materials that last long and don’t cause harm to the environment. Much of the products from fast fashion brands are made with cheap materials that contain microplastics (think: polyester, nylon, and spandex).

These brands also prioritise not just their customers but also their workers, ensuring that they provide a livable wage and good working conditions.

Greenwashing in the fashion sphere

The rise of greenwashing is as fast as the growth in popularity of sustainability. You may have heard of the term before or maybe even fallen victim to it. Greenwashing is a marketing tactic done by brands to appear more sustainable than they really are. 

Fashion giants like H&M, ASOS and Zara have all launched programs that supposedly support the environment. However, these programs account for very little of their business and they all still run a fast-fashion model. In short: They are misleading and falsely advertising their brands.

The power is yours

The good news is: The choice to support sustainable fashion is yours to make. Here are some ways you can make more sustainable fashion choices.

Find your personal style

Yes, it starts with knowing yourself. Once you know what makes you feel good, you won’t feel the need to follow trends. They will be completely optional. You’ll also be intentional with what trends you want to pick up and keep.

Ditch fast fashion

Once you’ve zeroed in on your style, grab the low-hanging fruit: Stop supporting fast fashion brands. Sure, they’re inexpensive and the styles are fun. But the quality of these products, more often than not, is not ideal. Fast fashion brands are one of the worst contributors to environmental waste. Would you like to support that?

Choose sustainable fashion brands

When you need to buy something, consider a slow fashion brand. They’re more mindful of their impact on the Earth and they’re often small businesses! You’re not only supporting your need for good-quality products but also the environment and a small group of people working to provide conscious business.

Shop secondhand

You can also opt for second-hand products when looking to add to your collection. While some pieces may not be of great quality anymore, most of them are. Vintage pieces are also created with better materials that have already withstood years and will probably be around for even more years to come.

Mend what you have

Did the zipper on your bag break? Is there a tear on your shirt? Whether or not you bought from fast fashion, a fashion piece will always be subject to wear and tear. But that doesn’t mean you replace it at the sight of a snag or hole. Mend your pieces as much as you could. If you don’t know how, take them to someone who does! Not a fan of their shape or silhouette anymore? Upcycle and find a new life for them. 

Supporting slow fashion could be made of tiny tweaks in your habits. And if you think buying few but intentional would hurt workers would hurt the industry, think again. Diving into a life of sustainability will help not just the environment but also ensure that workers continue to have dignity and earn wage they can actually enjoy and not just use to survive.