Fashion weeks held in centers such as Paris, Milan and London continue to shape the style world. However, there is an alternative formati...
What is the Relationship Between Sustainable Living and Fashion?
The adaptation of sustainable environment and life concepts to the fashion industry does not stray far from its original meaning. If you are wondering what sustainable means , according to the United Nations, it is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The sustainable fashion approach, in its most general form, refers to the production of clothing and accessories in an ecologically and socially responsible manner. In order to better understand the relationship between the concept of sustainability and fashion, it is useful to take a brief look at the process of being involved in fashion.
It may be wrong to define sustainable design techniques as an approach that focuses only on production and consumption. As a matter of fact, explaining the path to sustainability as only having new items is contrary to the nature of this concept. In order to adopt this understanding, it is necessary to take different responsibilities beyond purchasing products that use sustainable energy sources and materials. Wearing owned clothes for a long time, turning to recyclable products and using borrowed clothes are also the basis of the sustainable fashion movement.
Why Are Sustainable Fashion Approaches So Popular?
The concept of sustainable fashion, which is also expressed with discourses such as ethical fashion, eco-fashion and even conscious clothing, focuses intensely not only on environmental factors but also on social impacts. The essence of this approach lies in a deep reaction to the production and consumption concepts of the fast fashion world.
Although the vision of sustainable fashion dates back to the 1980s, it is enough to go back to the Rana Plaza Disaster in 2013 to explain its recent popularity. This dramatic disaster, which occurred with the collapse of a ready-made clothing factory in Bangladesh, has opened the concept of fast fashion to debate as it resulted in the death of thousands of people.
In short, it would not be wrong to say that the Rana Plaza Incident forms the basis of the fashion industry's interest in sustainable and ethical approaches. Now, every conscious actor in the fashion industry, from giant manufacturers to small designers; It focuses on developing sustainable solutions that respect people and nature and focus on fair profit distribution.
An 8-Step Guide to Creating a Sustainable Wardrobe
It is possible to come across different versions of sustainable practices adopted by manufacturers in the fashion world. If you're wondering what you can do as a consumer, you can change your clothing habits to reduce your fashion footprint and try creating a wardrobe that has a minimal impact on the ecology.
Here are 8 effective methods to create a sustainable clothing style:
- Rearrange your wardrobe efficiently.
The way to get involved in sustainable fashion is to evaluate the options you have. You may have created a sustainable wardrobe even if you don't realize it. Of course, for this, you first need to see what you have.
First, group different options such as trousers, t-shirts, skirts, sweaters and dresses and classify them into desired and undesirable items. So you can see the products you need more clearly. If you're wondering what to do with your unused clothes, it might be a good idea to donate them to recycling platforms. Finally, you can make tracking continuous and effortless by using organizers in your wardrobe.
- Follow sustainable brands.
After organizing the clothes in your wardrobe, all that's left is to fill the gaps. For this, you can try to discover brands that create ethical designs using sustainable materials . There are many brands that are transparent about where their products are produced, hold their suppliers responsible for environmental standards, and strive to protect the planet.
- Review your shopping habits.
Reviewing your shopping habits is among the basic rules of sustainable living. Therefore, you need to put your past experiences aside and act with a sustainable attitude. This attitude becomes even more important when you consider that more than 100 billion items are produced in the garment industry every year. For a start, you can take an important step by changing your focus from your wants to your needs.
- Consider how many times you can wear the clothes.
While shopping for your needs, you should not forget to turn to wearable options. Because if you are not going to wear the clothes you are planning to buy, it does not matter what materials they are made of. Before purchasing an outfit, ask yourself “Why am I buying this?”, “Do I really need it?” and “How many times can I wear this outfit?” You can try asking questions like: According to Livia Firth, the founder of Eco Age, which offers sustainable solutions to the fashion world, it is better not to buy a piece if you will not wear it at least 30 times.
- Choose versatile and timeless pieces.
Timeless and versatile clothing choices suitable for different weather conditions constitute the essence of sustainable fashion. The number of products owned by functional clothing products, which are an important part of the capsule wardrobe trend, is also decreasing. You can take a big step for both your own style and the planet with versatile shopping routines that contribute to minimal and sustainable lifestyles.
- Focus on sustainable materials.
The way to create a wardrobe that respects nature is to choose products using sustainable materials. For starters, you can try avoiding pure synthetics like polyester, which is derived from fossil fuels and takes years to break down. Additionally, not all natural materials are produced the same. For example, organic cotton production uses significantly less water than conventional cotton and does not use harmful pesticides.
- Do not neglect clothing care.
In order to maintain the sustainable character of clothing products, proper care should not be neglected. You should check the care labels of the clothes and apply care routines that will ensure their longevity. You should wash, wear and store the items in your wardrobe as recommended. You can try folding knitted clothes and sweaters and laying them on the rope instead of hanging them with pegs from one end.
By turning your jeans products inside out and washing them, you can protect the fibers on the front surface from friction and the effects of detergent. In this way, you can prevent faded colors and extend the life of your trousers.
- Repair and recycle your old clothes.
When embarking on a style adventure based on continuity, you can try turning your old clothes into forms that you can use again and again, instead of leaving them to their fate. You can make your unused products more useful than before with “do-it-yourself” designs, or you can follow creative ideas by joining the Don't Let Olds Be Garbage movement. For example, it might be a good idea to create vintage-inspired shorts by shortening a worn-out and faded pair of jeans.
In summary, it is not possible to evaluate modern lives, which seek answers to the questions of what is sustainable living and why is it important, separately from fashion. The issue of sustainable living, which essentially covers different areas, has become more focused on fashion, especially due to its significant effects on nature, the planet and ethical values. If you do not want to leave carbon footprints and a dirty planet as a legacy to future generations, you can take a big step by joining the sustainable fashion trend.
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