How to guide keeping sustainable fashion for your wardrobe?

As we all become more conscious of the major environmental impact of our clothing, which accounts for a startling four to ten percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions each year, the term “sustainable fashion” is becoming more and more popular (and overused, frequently with little to support it). But what exactly does “sustainable fashion” mean?

In a nutshell, it’s a term that refers to clothing that is produced and consumed in a way that, quite literally, can be sustained, while safeguarding both the environment and people who make clothing. Therefore, lowering CO2 emissions, dealing with overproduction, cutting waste and pollution, promoting biodiversity, and making sure that garment workers are paid fairly and have safe working conditions are all essential to the sustainability matrix.

Given the complexity of the challenges, there are still too few brands addressing them at the moment, and even those that do acknowledge that there is always space for improvement. This means that buying products with the label “sustainable” is not enough; we also need to radically change the way we consume clothing.

So, here’s everything you need to know to make sure your wardrobe is as sustainable as possible going forward.

1. Spend less but better
Despite being overused, the adage “buy less and buy better” is crucial when you consider that an astonishing 100 billion clothing are created annually worldwide. Harriet Vocking, chief brand officer of sustainability consultancy Eco-Age, suggests that you ask yourself three crucial questions before making a purchase: “What are you buying and why? What exactly do you require? Do you intend to use it at least 30 times?

2. Purchase sustainable clothing labels.
Supporting and Searching for brands that produce activewear, swimwear, denim, or other products in a more environmentally friendly manner, such as Outland Denim and Re/Done, Girlfriend Collective, and Indigo Luna, will help you focus your search.

3. Buy used and vintage items
Consider purchasing used products when wanting to expand your wardrobe because secondhand and vintage clothing are becoming more widely available owing to website as kapas paduka (Shoe Brand) & Fashion Dori

4. Prevent “greenwashing”
Greenwashing, the practise of brands making ambiguous, deceptive, or untrue claims to suggest that their products are more environmentally friendly than they actually are, is on the rise as customers grow more conscious of their environmental impact. Examine firms’ precise policies in addition to buzzwords like “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” “aware,” and “responsible” to see if they can support their claims.

5. Recognize your resources
Making more sustainable purchasing requires an understanding of how resources are used. A reasonable rule of thumb is to stay away from virgin synthetics, which are made from fossil fuels and take years to degrade. Polyester, for example, accounts for 55% of clothing globally. Not all natural materials are created equal; for instance, organic cotton consumes a lot less water than regular cotton and doesn’t contain any hazardous pesticides.

To be sure the materials used to produce your clothes have a lower impact on our world, look for certifications from the Global Organic Textile Standard (for cotton and wool), Leather Working Group (for leather), and Forest Stewardship Council (for viscose).

6. Be aware of dangerous chemicals
Hidden chemicals used to clean our clothing are a big worry since they contaminate nearby rivers and endanger those who work in the textile industry. The Made in Green by OEKO-TEX and Bluesign certifications, which specify specifications for chemical usage during the production process, should be on your radar.

7. Look after your clothing
When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of your clothing and making sure they don’t end up clogging landfill sites after just one or two wears, extending the life of your clothes is essential. Make sure your clothing lasts as long as possible by avoiding over washing it (which will help reduce your water and CO2 emissions), as well as by mending it rather than tossing it out.

8. Make sure your clothes can be worn again.
Being mindful of how you dispose of your clothes when organizing your wardrobe will assist prevent their ending up in a landfill. The easiest approach to make sure your stuff has a second life is to resell it or host a clothing swap. You can also donate your worn clothing to organizations and charities. Find recycling programme that are designed for those goods when it comes to worn-out items that can no longer be mended or used.

Article contents: Vogue India