3 Ways to Make More Sustainable Fashion Choices
Ever wondered how your clothes were made? Or how far they traveled to get to you? A single shopping trip has more hidden costs than we could ever imagine. In fact, the fashion industry is the world’s second-most polluting industry. But the good news is we’re going through a renaissance of sorts. There are waves of change shaking up conventional forms of production.
Stella McCartney pioneered this change in the luxury sector as it became the first luxury brand to shun leather and fur in 2012.
“My biggest surprises in my everyday job have to do with the challenges of trying to be slightly more responsible as a brand,” said the iconic designer herself.
This summer, let’s strive to be responsible ourselves and join the green fashion bandwagon – starting with our own wardrobes. What comes to your mind when you think of sustainable fashion?
Are you thinking shapeless hemp dresses, oversized shirts, and dull colors? Well, think again. Dressing sustainably doesn’t mean dressing drab. With so many sustainable brands to choose from, you can be eco-friendly and stylish at the same time.
Stella McCartney Embroidered Overalls
Not sure how to build a sustainable wardrobe? Well, small changes go a long way and you can start with baby steps. The essential question is – How can we make a difference? Armoire solves this fashion conundrum in multiple ways. Firstly, by choosing to rent and not buy, we’re already reducing our carbon footprint in a big way. Secondly, Armoire offers a few sustainable fashion brands that make gorgeous, environment-friendly clothes – Amur, Amour Vert, Zuri, Stella McCartney and LACAUSA to name a few.
Here are 3 ways to make your fashion choices more ethical and environment-friendly….
1. Buy Less
Buy less, borrow more. Borrow that sexy black dress from your BFF or that beautiful vintage blouse from your granny. In return, let them dig deep into your wardrobe. What about a more organized clothes-swap? What if we could have our cake and eat it too? A perfect solution comes courtesy of Armoire and involves an unlimited rental closet. With Armoire, you always get that heady anticipation that comes from choosing new clothing, and the satisfaction that comes from retail therapy, without any of the guilt. You can try out statement pieces you know you’ll wear only once. Looking at you, embroidered jeans and retro-printed jumpsuits! Ladies, we truly can have it all. Pssst, besides being environment-friendly, this is a wallet-friendly option too!
Brand Spotlight: Amur (above) focuses on creating and using environmentally conscientious fabrics.
2. Wear Ethical
It is important to know where your clothes are coming from. It is best to avoid clothes made from synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. These are plastics that don’t break down easily and end up choking rivers and oceans. Cotton is a big culprit too as it requires colossal amounts of water to grow. Recycled fabrics are a good option. Organic cotton, hemp, silk, wool, jute, cruelty-free leather and bamboo linen are great alternatives too. Going natural not only helps mother earth but works wonders for your skin too. Hello, healthy, happy skin! Amour Vert creates exclusive sustainable fabrics like mulberry silk and beechwood fabric that are completely organic and made using non-toxic dyes. What’s more, for every tee you buy, Amour Vert plants a tree!
3. Be Aware
Emma Watson made a strong case for sustainable fashion when she wore a custom dress made from recycled plastic bottles to the 2016 Met Gala Ball. The outfit generated a lot of conversation about fashion and sustainability. This is the first and most important step toward sustainability – to have an honest conversation about it. While choosing sustainable brands, it is important to know their stories and what makes them different. Zuri, a Kenyan brand known for its bold African prints focuses on women’s empowerment by partnering with SOKO, which provides their workers with free childcare during work hours and a program for women to make and sell reusable sanitary pads.
