
“Fashion with a message”, “sustainable fashion”, “slow fashion”, “circular fashion”, “compassionate fashion”. whatever you call it its worth talking about. To be supported as a concept, consumers must be educated. so, heres a few facts, strategies, and tips to help you on your eco-journey.

What is Sustainability?
“Throughout the world, people want the same things: access to clean air and water; economic opportunities; a safe and healthy place to raise their kids; shelter; lifelong learning; a sense of community; and the ability to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.” (ISC) Sustainability is so much more than just being green, because as we know the environment affects the community and the community affects the environment. The key component of the word sustainability is a long-term perspective and adapting and anticipating changes in the present and future. To do that takes a lot of hard work and togetherness. The goal is shared prosperity where everyone has access to safety, decision-making, and human needs no matter our backgrounds. “A sustainable community manages its human, natural, and financial capital to meet current needs while ensuring that adequate resources are available for future generations.”

Human sustainability involved things like health and education systems and access to services, nutrition, knowledge and skills. In balancing these needs, businesses as an individual promote values that respect human capital.
Social Is about preserving for future generations and knowing the impact we have on others and on the world. This pillar promotes cohesion, reciprocity, and honesty in relationships to maintain and improve social quality in society.
Economic aims to improve standard of living through capital and the efficient use of assets. The key goal is to maintain profitability over time.
Lastly but certainly not least is environmental sustainability. This is about improving human welfare by protecting natural capital. “Initiatives and programs are defined environmentally sustainable when they ensure that the needs of the population are met without the risk of compromising the needs of future generations.” A hefty goal of achieving a positive economic outcome while not causing any harm is possible yet requires a lot of attention.
Sustainability as a whole is all about balance and maintaining. each pillar overlaps with the other and work in cohesion to better the societal welfare.
Why is sustainable fashion important?

“What so many of us forget or perhaps don’t realize is that sustainability is not just about using bamboo based fibers and slapping the term ‘sustainable’ on the hang tag. True sustainability comes when the entire supply chain of that bamboo is sustainable… However, we haven’t truly achieved an ecosystem of true sustainability… We have to understand that a supply chain is its own ecosystem that must be sustained and supported indefinitely in order for the world to see true environmental impact. We must design, develop, and manufacture into that premise.” (Melissa Nataadiningrat)

A polyester garment takes up to 200 years to decompose. (Amanda Cotler)
The fashion industry is the world’s second largest polluter. (April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary)

“Microplastics are a huge concern for not only the environment, but also our health. These synthetic fibers are forms of plastic, and every time you wash fabrics made from these fibers, microplastics are breaking off, and many eventually end up in the oceans, ocean life, and our mouths.” (Megan Eddings)

“A lot of this clothing ends up in the dump. The equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second.” (Morgan McFall-Johnsen)
How can you tell when clothing is sustainable?
“When we learn about “sustainable fashion”, we soon realize that there are many forms of (more) sustainable fashion.”

I-4 in this graphic are up to the designer and brand while 5-7 are in the hands of the consumer, and I will get to those later on. On Demand and Timeless design are aspect of production that are pretty straight forward but within Green design and Ethical production there are many layers and in some cases choices to what you as a designer value and what you want your consumers to value. For instance It is very difficult to find materials to create from that are natural and organic, vegan, low or no impact dyed, and made with ethical wages and adhere to your aesthetic and brand. Some amazing people are able to achieve all of those but usually prioritize some over the others like vegan fashion or organic materials. This is why designers and consumers alike really need to do their research and make educated choices with clothes.

Compassionate fashion refers to respect for workers, societies, animals, and the environment. It is based on feeling true compassion when you hold an item of clothing rather than simply being aware.

Textile recycling is a big one I can get behind because you are using stuff that already exists. This is along the lines of circular fashion. Upcycling can be applied to fashion, furniture design, interior design, and many more consumer driven markets. “ In essence, upcycling is not simply about creating something new from wasted material, but rather about recognizing the inherent value of any material and to design unique and appreciated products – ideally with practical, universal and long-lasting values.” You still also have to factor in the other ethical debates within upcylcing. This is why it is so hard to get the industry to switch over.

Another huge part of this topic is ethical fashion. who made your items, in what environment, how were they paid? These are all very important questions that we sadly have to ask as designers. your workers do matter. And giving people and members of certain cultures and subcultures good paying and workable jobs is important. Consumers can research and specifically shop from brands who employ and thus empower women in third world countries with fair wages that would otherwise not be able to provide for their family. Ethical fashion is really important among all the other aspects of Sustainability.
How can consumers contribute?
Re/make made a really good information guid called “wear your values” to teach consumers how to support sustainable fashion. They are your go to source when you need direction to sustainable brands.

Their first tip is to buy less stuff. I have learned through my eco-journey that there are actually five R’s instead of the three we all know and preach: the first being refuse, then reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle.

Along the same lines, the next tip is to buy purposefully. This means avoiding fast fashion. At first glance the price tags attached to sustainable clothing seems steep, but fast fashion is designed to fall apart so in the end, you are spending the same amount or saving buy investing in less pieces that you love and will last longer. Also this includes thinking before you buy be really considering if the piece is your style not just trendy, is it flattering, will it work with other staples in your closet, what statement is it making, and asking yourself “will I wear this at least 30 times?” That being said, everyone’s lifestyle is different but these considerations are a great place to start. If you think of buying clothing the way you would buy nice jewelry, your closet will become a lot more sustainable.

Another key to sustainable buying is buy responsibly. For this step, you need to know your own values. As I have mentioned above, there are different versions of a sustainable piece of clothing. Consumers should know what cause is the most important to them basically. This takes time and research to figure out of course. And through this, you can find the right brands that support your values. An important part of this is to not make a compromise on value for a lower price. It is easy to stick to your values when you know where a garment is made, by whom, and with what processes.

Next is to buy empowered. “You are a powerful force for change. We think, “oh one cheap purchase here and there won’t make a difference,” but consumers, employees, and voters are realizing the power of their single voice.” This is so important. Have you ever heard the term you vote with your wallet, sustainable fashion is the perfect example of that. This is also the category where you can support women, fair wages, and company transparency. “You don’t have to feel helpless about the the abuses in the fashion industry, you can make maximum impact with your wallet!”

The next few tips are: Mend it, Thrift it, Trade it, and Borrow it. All of these should be close to your first resort because they don’t require any new clothing production which is the real killer. The best way to save our earth is to use what already exists on it. Sewing and altering clothing is a hugely beneficial skill to learn in this case. Or even being able to take an item to the dry cleaner or tailor. Take your time to do this rather then spending it going to shop for a new item that will just fall apart faster. Buying used and thrifting so so fun and fashionable. Fashion will always repeat itself in my opinion and there are so many options out there at thrift stores. I also am an avid collector and lover of vintage clothing, its so classic and unique. There are also options for renting formal wear, borrowing from friends and family, and trading in items with some special sites.

The last tip is to buy for you! Forget trends and fads and opt for timeless pieces that really speak to your personality. This will ultimately pay off way more for yourself and the environment than investing in fast fashion. Buying sustainably will also help eliminate any buyer’s remorse that we all feel from impulse buys. It is impossible to keep up with trends anyway, so make your own timeless style and show it off, even if it is a repeat outfit. If you feel amazing wearing that dress, where it as much as possible! Fashion is for you!

When in doubt refer to this pyramid for responsible fashion otherwise known as the buyerarchy of needs or the ethical closet pyramid.
1. Value and take care of the clothes you already own
2. Repurpose by mending and shopping less
3. Borrow from others
4. Swap or trade to fill the new thing urge
5. Thrift vintage and used when possible
6. Make it yourself
7. And lastly, buy by shopping ethically and with intention

Sources
remake.world
sustain.org
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/sustainable-business/1/steps/157438
greenstrategy.se



















































































