Sustainable fashion
Are you aware that the clothing industry ranks second worldwide, in terms of environmental pollution? The need for sustainability in fashion nowadays is greater than ever.
Many designers and brands promote a creative agenda with more ecological elements. So many corporate social responsibility programs now endorse green ideas.
However, most people do not pay attention. They consider it an issue that mainly concerns fashion designers and manufacturers. This lack of knowledge about the subject, along with a storm of images and products available, make the problem even bigger. Really, why do we feel some kind of pride when we buy a pair of jeans at the price of 10 euros? What is the relationship we have today as consumers with quality? Do we really know the origin of clothes and how they are made?
You can find endless information on this subject on-line. Documentaries such as Andrew Morgan’s “The True Cost” in 2015 analyze the impact of industries on the planet and its inhabitants, while books such as Sandy Black’s “Sustainable Fashion Handbook” offer tips for a more ecological management of our love for fashion. We will share some of these tips with you today and try to convince you to learn more about sustainable fashion and how to apply an ethical lifestyle, regarding the brands you will choose.
It is very important to be informed on the subject and to consciously choose to improve your consumer habits. Sustainable fashion is not a trend, but a necessity. According to the University of Queensland, we now consume 80 billion pieces of clothing each year, 400% more than 20 years ago. The most commonly used polyester fabric needs 70 million barrels of oil each year. While for a pair of jeans and a cotton T-shirt you need 20,000 liters of water. The numbers are pretty scary, but they need to be communicated to both consumers and brands.
Very few brands may be 100% sustainable, but a large number of them have begun to take steps towards this direction. A great example is Stella McCartney who since 2001 with her collections has proved that haute couture and “green” fashion can go together. Even fast fashion giants like H&M and ZARA have launched similar sustainable collections.
Internet shopping has become quite a popular habit in recent years. In addition to comfort, it also gives you the opportunity to make more thoughtful purchases. All brands have the ‘About’ section on their official website where you can see information about the manufacture, origin and materials of the clothes.
You can recycle or donate thingst you do not need. Try to leave for yourself at least 50% of your original wardrobe. Do not forget that there is a big difference between what you want and what you really need.
If you have an expensive piece in your collection that you once bought, but can no longer imagine yourself in it, the solution is simple. There are many clothing resale sites that you can use to give your once favorite piece a new home. This method is becoming more and more popular. The steps you follow are simple: You register, photograph the clothes you want to sell and upload them. In addition to sharing your clothes you can of course see pieces from other users that may be of interest to you. This creates a consumer climate of solidarity.
You can also buy second hand clothes. Even if they do not come from ethical brands, buying a second hand garment reduces your ecological footprint. It’s the least you can do for the environment. In such stores, you can find treasures, that otherwise would end up in the trash. A very good choice is to visit the American market in the center of Athens, where you will find pieces from all around the world, at very affordable prices. But now you can find second hand stores in almost all areas, as long as you search for them.
