Ethics + Aesthetics = Sustainable Fashion

“As consumers we have so much power to change the world just by being careful in what we buy.''

  • Emma Watson

 

The effect that humanity is having on the environment is becoming more important than ever. Through our practices and habits, we are not only destroying habitats but also endangering the lives of future generations. At this point, we can’t deny the fact that our environment is changing. We have a lot of environmental issues happening around us and yet we ignore them. It is time to confront these issues and develop a school of thought to tackle them.

No matter what you think the world’s biggest environmental issues are, you are unlikely to think of fashion as a problem or a solution. Yet, ethical, sustainable fashion can actually help in addressing most of these issues. And even better, clothing is something that every person needs, making it an extremely accessible avenue for the average person to affect change.

What is sustainable fashion?

Whether you are a clothes maker, or a fashion lover who does not really like fashion’s impact on the planet, choosing sustainable fabrics is one of the primary things you can do to have an eco-friendly wardrobe. Sustainable fashion is a process to foster change with fashion products and the fashion system to achieve ecological integrity.

Sustainable fashion means considering fashion from different perspectives - users and producers, all living species, contemporary and future dwellers of earth. It is the responsibility of citizens, the private sector and the public sector. One element of sustainable fashion is to replace one type of fiber for a less environmentally harmful option. Eco fashion is an apt synonym for Sustainable fashion.

Sustainable fashion is the new trend and talk of the town. It not only promotes the use of better fabrics to reduce harmful effects on the environment but also promises performance. The use of sustainable fabrics comes down to one single question, about whether these fabrics can provide both sustainability and performance. As said above, performance can be found in safer alternatives that are entering the market.

Bamboo fabric, Merino wool, and Recycled polyester are some of the sustainable fabrics that are better for the environment. They are not only biodegradable but require less use of pesticides and fertilizers.

What are some examples of Sustainable Fabrics?

There are various sustainable fabrics such as recycled cotton, organic hemp, organic linen but the most harmless fabrics are discussed below. Some of these are an ideal fabric to wear, some are renewable resources while others are eliminating the use of virgin material.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an apt example of eco-friendly fabrics. The bamboo stalk is broken down into soft, rounded fibers to make bamboo fabric. These fabrics can be spun into yarn or processed into viscose. Bamboo rayon must be labelled as ‘rayon from bamboo’.

 Bamboo fabricis good for the environment as bamboo itself is a good renewable resource. It grows quickly and requires little to no maintenance, pesticide or fertilizers.

 

Merino

High in the mountains of New Zealand where winters bring snow while summers are dry and hot, lives the merino sheep. Their unique wool keeps them warm in winters and cool in summers. These properties make merino wool an ideal fabric to wear.

Merino is a naturally technical fibre which is renewable and biodegradable. It’s natural proteins break down completely with environmental exposure into organic carbon and returns to the environment. Merino wool is natural and a good example of sustainable fashion as it continues to grow each year after the annual harvesting of fleece. 

Merino wool is much softer than normal wool, so can be worn even by the most sensitive skin. It also has an excellent warmth to weight ratio. Merino wool is indeed a better fabric for the environment.

 


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