Fashion Insights: Why Hunt For Sustainable Apparel?
It was recently reported by Gitnux.com that on a yearly basis, an individual consumes around 11.4 kilograms of clothing. This is indeed a huge number, considering how much trash and carbon footprint it would generate if it is not recycled. However, with sustainable fashion it is possible to reduce this effect and wastage by 62%; now that’s a marvelous feat. So, welcome sustainable apparel — The fashion of the future!
Though, what is sustainable apparel exactly? Sustainable apparel is ethically made clothing aimed at reducing negative impacts on people and the planet. It encompasses social, economic, and environmental sustainability, going beyond a mere trend. It has been calculated that this new trend of sustainable fashion will have a 6.1% share of the whole fashion industry by 2026. This requires thoughtful planning throughout every phase of production from buying raw materials to final disposal or recycling options from unused products, making it much more centralized than the conventional fashion industry.
How Big Companies Are Changing The Fashion Industry
When it comes to garments, here’s where things get truly impactful. Around 85% of all textile waste goes directly into landfills rather than being reused or repurposed according to Earth.org. This previous year alone the textile market grew from $573.22 billion in 2022 to $610.91 billion — wowza! Apparel industry growth has also seriously skyrocketed these days. These statistics are no joking matter. Thankfully brands like H&M, Nike, Marks and Spencer, Ralph Lauren Burberry, and Chanel have stepped up becoming more and more committed to the swinging trend of sustainable fashion, and are part of 300 influential companies that are using sustainable energy sources in their production lines to produce garments and other products. They do this by utilizing renewable energy sourced from the sun, wind, and water; which lessens their footprints by relying upon recycled materials such as organic cotton fabrics. They also integrate socially responsible production lines through safe working conditions and by practicing transparent trade systems with responsible suppliers and technology (among other convictions) — all contributing back to society and humanity. These companies have all joined hands under the banner of the RE 100 initiative in combating the waste that is caused by synthetic garments, and it has been promising as studies have shown that companies utilizing sustainable fashion are on the right track to reduce global emissions. On top of that, they are producing environmentally friendly materials such as hemp, jute, and bamboo which take far fewer resources to source than others.
A New Candidate In Fashion Sustainability: Blank Apparel
As mature individuals, everyone considers the best for themselves and their family members, and it’s important to be conscious of fashion choices when it comes to buying shoes, garments or whatever. Conventional cotton garments are usually dyed using chemicals such as AZO dyes which comprise around 60-70% of all colorants and are known to be carcinogenic. Similarly cotton t-shirts made from synthetic materials use up to 2700 liters of water per piece. Consequently, everyone should be conscious about considering sustainable clothing options these days — after all, what could be better than donning clothes that are not only stylish but also environmentally friendly. According to professionals in the field, SpectraUSA, this type of casual wear has just recently become incredibly popular, and it’s because quality blank apparel makes it easy for people to have their own statement pieces without going wild with fabric dye or being worried about chemicals used during the production process. Not only that, but quality blanks typically utilize organic or recycled cotton fibers which dramatically reduces water consumption when compared to conventional cotton t-shirts – pretty amazing!
So, don’t sweat it when it comes to rocking an eco-friendly wardrobe; sustainable fashion means being stylish while keeping your conscience in check. From choosing organic fibers or vegan leathers, upcycling trusted staples, all the way to tapping into techno-savvy fabrics – you have many choices that are actually fun once you get used to them! With a little creativity (and support from amazing brands) your wardrobe can still look good without negatively impacting Mother Nature!
