Being sartorially sensible has become an imperative. People from all walks of life, think of fashion as an unspoken language to convey your personality. With sustainability becoming a lifestyle choice, linen as a fabric has gained utmost traction. This is now, not just confined to women but also men. Linen suits for men have become increasingly popular.
There is a vast emergence of power dressing among women. Just like linen suits for men, we can also find women donning them.
However, keeping up with trends goes way beyond brand titles and styles. We must place paramount importance on the sustainability persona of it.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
It is an initiative taken by some brands to ensure minimal damage to our environment and not leave any severe footprint behind. It is a process that prompts how we produce and consume textiles. They are reusable and recyclable. The aim is to make it minimal of any negative effects in the process of designing , raw material production, marketing and finally selling. It also necessitates the afterlife of that textile. They dwell into the longevity of a garment.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
1) About 8% of greenhouse gas emission can be attributed to fashion. It will rise up to 25% by 2050.
2) Garment workers are majorly women and happen to be some of the least paid labour.
3) Fast fashion clothing is made out of fabrics that are not long lasting and recyclable.
4) Manufacturing clothes indulges in heavy water wastage.
These factors will help us better elect the right course of action. Doubtlessly, using natural fibres like cotton, hemp and linen will be beneficial. But that alone, does not uplift the sustainability model. We must start with boycotting fast fashion goods. Heeding, reusing and redesigning one garment. When you reach a stage of visual fatigue and you do not care to use it any longer, give it for recycling or sell it at a vintage store.
Buying and swapping at thrift stores is also a great means to establish sustainability.
WORKING OF A THRIFT STORE
Thrift stores are platforms used to sell pre-owned goods. These are usually sold at throwaway prices and benefit the buyers. It helps you keep abreast with fashion trends at minimal cost. They are usually operated for non-profit organizations however, it is not always in black and white. With its increasing popularity they are becoming more and more relevant.
SUSTAINABLE BRANDS
Here is a list of brands that give just wages, use organic fibres and create relatively more durable items:
1) H&M CONSCIOUS : H&M launched a distinct brand to introduce sustainability in their products. These styles are inexpensive and sewn in natural fibres. Other than that they have a fascinating scheme that permits you to give away your undesired clothes at the store. They make sure these clothes are used for design and don’t go to waste, ending up in a landfill.
2) Levi’s : The process of making denim can soak up abundant water and fabric. Levi’s has a more wholesome approach towards keeping these costs minimal.
3) Reformation : This is an American brand prominently known for their chic and aesthetic designs. They kick off their designs solely from sustainable and upcycled textiles. They unabashedly come up with some of the most bewildering designs.
4) Stella McCartney : This is a luxury designer label known for their usage of natural fabrics like cotton, wool and other recycled textiles. They believe in cruelty free and secure a healthy environment in the supply chain.
5) Vivienne Westwood : A designer label known for its eccentric aesthetic. She has been a persistent advocate of eco-friendly fashion from 2011. She drafted an entire collection to appeal to people regarding the dire citation of rainforests and the globe.
6) Rag & Bone : A sustainable luxury label. They teamed up with Cotton Inc’s blue Jeans Go Green to initiate a program where customers swapped their old jeans to get a 20% off of the new clothes. This denim then gets converted into an insulation that is free from chemicals and is sustainable.
CONCLUSION
Like many other industries, even the fashion industry is doing its fair bit to conserve our planet. It is quintessential for people to do the same. This is a two way street and recognising the need of the hour is utmost important. In the wake of things, we must right the error in our ways and abandon fast fashion. Sustainability is an ingenious concept and we must learn to accept it.
