FASHION
by roaddresstravelled

SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION, BUT HERE’S WHATS BEING DONE ABOUT IT!

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

Sustainability in fashion refers to the practice of producing clothing and accessories in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. It involves reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry, promoting ethical labor practices throughout the supply chain, and ensuring the longevity of the product life cycle.

Sustainability in fashion covers a wide range of issues, including:

  1. Use of sustainable materials: Sustainable fashion brands use materials that are grown and produced in a way that minimizes the use of natural resources and reduces pollution.
  2. Reducing waste: Sustainable fashion aims to reduce waste by producing clothing that is designed to last longer, promoting circular practices such as recycling and upcycling, and reducing overproduction.
  3. Ethical labor practices: Sustainable fashion brands prioritize fair labor practices and safe working conditions for workers throughout the supply chain, including those involved in manufacturing, transportation, and retail.
  4. Transparency and accountability: Sustainable fashion brands are transparent about their production processes, materials sourcing, and labor practices. They also hold themselves accountable for their environmental and social impact.
  5. Conscious consumerism: Sustainable fashion promotes conscious consumerism, where consumers are mindful of their purchases and their impact on the environment and society. This includes buying high-quality clothing that is designed to last longer, buying from brands that prioritize
  6. sustainability, and reducing overall consumption.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION?

Sustainability is important in fashion for several reasons:

  1. Environmental impact: The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, from the use of natural resources like water, land, and energy to the pollution caused by textile dyeing and finishing processes. Sustainability in fashion seeks to reduce this impact and preserve natural resources.
  2. Social impact: The fashion industry employs millions of workers globally, but many of these workers are subjected to poor working conditions and low wages. Sustainability in fashion aims to improve working conditions and promote ethical labor practices throughout the supply chain.
  3. Economic impact: The traditional “fast fashion” model of producing and consuming clothing quickly and cheaply has led to overproduction, waste, and a lack of investment in quality materials and manufacturing. Sustainability in fashion seeks to promote a circular economy where resources are conserved and waste is minimized.
  4. Consumer demand: As consumers become more aware of the environmental and social impact of fashion, they are increasingly demanding sustainable and ethical products. Brands that do not prioritize sustainability risk losing customers and damaging their reputation.

HOW IS FAST FASHION IMPACTING THE CHANGE?

Fast fashion and sustainable fashion are two opposing concepts in the fashion industry. Fast fashion refers to the production of low-cost clothing, often designed to be worn only a few times before being discarded, while sustainable fashion emphasizes environmental and social responsibility and promotes a circular economy.

Fast fashion is slowing down sustainable fashion in several ways:

  1. Overconsumption: The fast fashion model encourages consumers to buy more clothing than they need or can use, leading to overconsumption and waste. This makes it difficult for sustainable fashion brands to compete with fast fashion brands and reduce the overall environmental impact of the fashion industry.
  2. Low-cost production: Fast fashion brands prioritize low-cost production over ethical and sustainable practices, often outsourcing manufacturing to countries with lower labor standards and environmental regulations. This puts pressure on sustainable fashion brands to compete with low prices, making it difficult for them to invest in sustainable production processes and materials.
  3. Short product life cycle: Fast fashion clothing is often designed to be worn only a few times before being discarded, contributing to the overall waste generated by the fashion industry. Sustainable fashion brands prioritize quality over quantity, producing clothing that is meant to last longer and be worn more times, but this can lead to higher prices that may not be affordable for some consumers.

Overall, fast fashion is slowing down sustainable fashion by prioritizing low-cost production, overconsumption, and short product life cycles. However, there is increasing consumer awareness of the environmental and social impact of fast fashion, and sustainable fashion brands are gaining traction as a more responsible and ethical alternative.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE?

Fashion brands are making various changes to improve sustainability, including:

  1. Using sustainable materials: Brands are using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, and recycled polyester. These materials have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials like non-organic cotton, polyester, and nylon.
  2. Adopting circular practices: Brands are moving towards a circular model, where they aim to reduce waste and reuse resources. They are designing clothes that can be easily recycled, resold, or repurposed.
  3. Reducing water usage: Fashion is one of the most water-intensive industries. Brands are working to reduce their water usage by using more water-efficient manufacturing processes, using recycled water, and implementing water-saving technologies.
  4. Reducing carbon footprint: Brands are reducing their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources, optimizing their logistics and transportation, and adopting eco-friendly packaging.
  5. Supporting ethical labor practices: Many brands are working to ensure that their supply chain workers are treated ethically and paid a fair wage. They are also ensuring that their products are not produced using child labor or forced labor.
  6. Offering sustainable alternatives: Brands are offering sustainable alternatives to their customers, such as clothing rental services, repair services, and second-hand markets.

Overall, fashion brands are increasingly recognizing the need to prioritize sustainability and are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and promote ethical practices throughout their supply chains.

BRANDS YOU SHOULD SUPPORT

There are many sustainable fashion brands that are making significant efforts to promote ethical and sustainable practices throughout the fashion industry. Here are a few examples:

PATAGONIA

Patagonia is a sustainable outdoor clothing brand that has been a leader in the industry for many years. They use sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp, and prioritize fair labor practices throughout their supply chain.

Image Credit: PATAGONIA

Image Credit: PATAGONIA

Image Credit: PATAGONIA

Patagonia is considered an amazing brand for several reasons:

  1. Commitment to environmental and social responsibility: Patagonia has a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The company has taken various steps to reduce its carbon footprint, promote sustainable practices, and support environmental activism. In addition, Patagonia is known for its ethical labor practices and fair trade policies.
  2. High-quality products: Patagonia products are known for their high quality, durability, and functionality. The company uses innovative and sustainable materials to create products that last longer, perform better, and have less impact on the environment.
  3. Innovative marketing: Patagonia’s marketing campaigns are known for their creativity and authenticity. The company’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign, for example, encouraged consumers to consider the impact of their purchasing decisions on the environment
  4. and to think twice before buying new clothing.
  5. Corporate activism: Patagonia has been active in environmental and social activism for many years. The company has supported numerous environmental organizations and initiatives and has taken a strong stance on issues such as climate change, public lands protection, and social justice.
  6. All of these factors have contributed to Patagonia’s reputation as an amazing brand that is committed to making a positive impact on the world.

REFORMATION

Reformation: Reformation is a sustainable clothing brand that produces clothing using sustainable materials such as Tencel, recycled cotton, and linen. They also prioritize sustainable production practices, such as using renewable energy and reducing waste.

Image Credit: REFORMATION

Image Credit: REFORMATION

Image Credit: REFORMATION

Reformation is considered an amazing sustainable brand for several reasons:

  1. Sustainable production: Reformation uses sustainable materials such as TENCEL™ lyocell, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. The company also uses eco-friendly production methods such as water recycling, responsible dyeing, and energy-efficient facilities.
  2. Transparency: Reformation is transparent about its sustainability efforts and provides information on the environmental impact of its products through its “RefScale” tool. The tool provides information on the carbon dioxide emissions, water usage, and waste generated during the production of each item.
  3. Fashion-forward designs: Reformation’s designs are stylish and on-trend, appealing to a wide range of customers. The brand offers a range of clothing, from casual wear to formal dresses, that are made with sustainable materials and production methods.
  4. Social responsibility: Reformation is committed to social responsibility, including ethical labor practices, fair wages, and safe working conditions for its employees. The company also donates a portion of its profits to environmental organizations and charities.
  5. Circular fashion: Reformation has launched initiatives to promote circular fashion, including its “Vintage” and “ReLove” programs that encourage customers to recycle and repurpose their old clothing.

All of these factors have contributed to Reformation’s reputation as an amazing sustainable brand that is committed to making a positive impact on the environment and society.

EVERLANE

Everlane is a sustainable fashion brand that produces high-quality clothing and accessories that are designed to last longer. They prioritize transparency and ethical labor practices, and offer transparent pricing to customers.

Image Credit: EVERLANE

Image Credit: EVERLANE

Image Credit: EVERLANE

Everlane is considered a great and sustainable label for several reasons:

  1. Transparent pricing: Everlane is known for its “Radical Transparency” approach to pricing, which involves breaking down the costs of production and providing customers with information on the markups and margins that are typically added to retail prices. This approach ensures that customers know exactly what they are paying for and allows them to make informed purchasing decisions.
  2. Ethical production: Everlane is committed to ethical production practices and works with factories that meet strict labor and environmental standards. The company is a member of the Fair Labor Association and regularly audits its factories to ensure that workers are treated fairly and have safe working conditions.
  3. Sustainable materials: Everlane uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL™ lyocell to create its products. The company is also committed to reducing its environmental impact by using eco-friendly packaging and shipping methods.
  4. Classic designs: Everlane’s designs are classic and timeless, which means that they can be worn for years without going out of style. This approach to design is sustainable because it encourages customers to buy high-quality items that they will wear for a long time, rather than fast fashion that will be discarded after a few wears.
  5. Giving back: Everlane is committed to giving back to the community and has partnered with various organizations to support social and environmental causes. For example, the company has donated to organizations that support women’s health, clean water initiatives, and workers’ rights.

All of these factors have contributed to Everlane’s reputation as a great and sustainable label that is committed to ethical and environmentally responsible practices.

EILEEN FISHER

Eileen Fisher is a sustainable fashion brand that produces clothing using sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. They prioritize ethical labor practices throughout their supply chain and offer a take-back program to encourage circularity.

Image Credit: EILEEN FISHER

Image Credit: EILEEN FISHER

Image Credit: EILEEN FISHER

Eileen Fisher is considered a great brand for several reasons:

  1. Sustainable production: Eileen Fisher is committed to sustainable production practices and uses eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. The company also has a take-back program that allows customers to return their old Eileen Fisher garments to be reused, repurposed, or recycled.
  2. Timeless designs: Eileen Fisher’s designs are timeless and classic, which means that they can be worn for years without going out of style. This approach to design is sustainable because it encourages customers to buy high-quality items that they will wear for a long time, rather than fast fashion that will be discarded after a few wears.
  3. Social responsibility: Eileen Fisher is committed to social responsibility and ethical labor practices. The company is a member of the Fair Labor Association and has established partnerships with organizations that support women’s rights and environmental sustainability.
  4. Inclusivity: Eileen Fisher offers a wide range of sizes and styles to ensure that all customers can find something that fits and flatters their body type. The company also features diverse models in its marketing campaigns to promote inclusivity and diversity.
  5. Community involvement: Eileen Fisher is committed to giving back to the community and has established partnerships with organizations that support local communities and environmental sustainability.
  6. All of these factors have contributed to Eileen Fisher’s reputation as a great brand that is committed to sustainability, social responsibility, inclusivity, and community involvement.

STELLA MC CARTNEY

Stella McCartney is a sustainable fashion brand that has been a leader in the industry for many years. They use sustainable materials such as organic cotton and vegan leather, and prioritize ethical and sustainable production practices.

Image Credit: STELLA MC CARTNEY

Image Credit: STELLA MC CARTNEY

Image Credit: STELLA MC CARTNEY

Stella McCartney is considered a wonderful label for several reasons:

  1. Sustainable production: Stella McCartney is committed to sustainable production practices and uses eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and innovative vegan materials. The company is also focused on reducing waste and has introduced initiatives to promote circular fashion, such as repairing and repurposing old garments.
  2. Ethical sourcing: Stella McCartney is committed to ethical sourcing practices and works with suppliers that meet strict environmental and social standards. The company is also a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which promotes workers’ rights and fair labor practices.
  3. Innovative designs: Stella McCartney’s designs are innovative and unique, blending high fashion with sustainability. The brand is known for its cutting-edge techniques such as 3D printing and using sustainable materials in new and creative ways.
  4. Animal-friendly: Stella McCartney is a leading advocate for animal-friendly fashion and does not use leather, fur, or other animal products in its designs. Instead, the brand uses innovative vegan materials such as “skin-free skin” and “vegetarian leather” to create high-quality, sustainable products.
  5. Social responsibility: Stella McCartney is committed to social responsibility and has established partnerships with organizations that support environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and human rights.

All of these factors have contributed to Stella McCartney’s reputation as a wonderful label that is committed to sustainability, ethics, innovation, and social responsibility.

These are just a few examples of sustainable fashion brands that are making significant efforts to promote sustainability and ethical practices in the fashion industry. There are many more brands out there that are also prioritizing sustainability, so it’s worth doing some research to find brands that align with your values.

Lots of Love,

Road Dress Travelled x