Conscious fashion means a lot of different things, but a way to make sure of a more mindful purchase is to opt for sustainable garments. As fast fashion produces a highly accelerated rate for meeting demand, manufacturers tend to opt for virgin synthetic materials that are easy to produce and pretty cheap.
But such fabrics take at least ten years or more to biodegrade, and in general, textiles make up 7.7% of municipal solid waste in landfills. It is time to slow down on the synthetic fabric now and take a closer look at the clothing labels.
Facts about the sustainability of the fabrics
How to discern which fabrics deserve the term ‘sustainable’ and which ones do not? There is no one ‘perfect fabric’ that can solve each issue. After all, at the end of the day, all kinds of fabric need resources for its production. Though you love secondhand and vintage garments, they also contribute to the microplastics issue based on what they are made of.
To start with, you need to get familiar with the labels on those wardrobe staples that you have. The fabrics that work the best for you might vary depending on your needs and values.
For instance, you might want to avoid all kinds of animal products in your clothes. Thus, recycled synthetics and plant-based fabrics might be the right choices for you. Maybe you want to wear things that are biodegradable. Maybe you are in the kind of job that needs you to use synthetics in the garment. To add to that, your skin might have allergies or sensitivities to specific fabrics.
Another important factor in choosing while sustainably shopping is that some fabrics have a longer lifespan compared to others. The finest choice for you would be the one that lets you purchase less, waste less, and wear the clothes for longer.
Understanding the sustainable fabrics
Sustainable fabrics usually come from recycled or natural materials, with the aim to reduce harm through the fibre properties, production process, and overall environmental impact. The fabrics might also lead to soil regeneration, lowered emissions, water conservation, and waste reduction. Also, remember that Dream Rib, Paris Rib, and so on are all part of sustainable women’s fashion. So, multiple types of sustainable fabrics are useful.
You would also note that the term ‘sustainable fabrics’ is generally useful in grouping together different environmentally friendly materials. A number of fabrics have the term attached to them for completely different reasons. Sustainability and the fabrics are both moving targets because there is not one but multiple types of fabric that do it. However, there is hope that by using environmentally sustainable growing practices and production processes, better fabrics are definitely going to come forth in the future.
Wrapping up
Sustainable fashion shows that you can be equally stylish and yet not harm the environment with your choice of clothes. So, be a smart shopper and choose your clothes responsibly from now on. Now go ahead and start looking for your new sustainable clothing.
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