It is the era of fast fashion wherein clothing brands’ priority is fast mass production of fashion items that they can sell fast and cheap. Catwalk-inspired designs became immediately more accessible and affordable to everyone but minus the quality most designers incorporate in their work. The practice may seem harmless at first but over time experts discovered its negative impact on our environment. There are unfair labor practices at factories around the globe just to hit production targets, the usage of toxic chemicals to treat fabrics, the irresponsible waste disposal practices that lead to water pollution and increased wastes dumped in land fills.
Consumers, especially those young people with disposable income contribute to the problem by patronizing fast fashion retailers. Their desire for current trends and unsatiable want to be ‘in’ are what keeping the fast fashion industry thriving. For them, it does not matter if they a piece can only withstand two to three washes before threads pull apart. The important thing is they are on fleek.
"Consumers have to do their part as well by being eco-friendly in their fashion choices."
Good thing the industry has recognized fast fashion’s adverse impacts and has initiated the eco-friendly fashion movement. But it is a two way street. Consumers have to do their part as well by being eco-friendly in their fashion choices. How? Here are some ideas.
GO NATURAL. GO ORGANIC.
Synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester produce plastic microfibers that travel from your washing machines to sewage treatment facilities and back in the ocean where it can be digested by marine life. So go for natural fibers like bamboo, silk, hemp and organic cotton. Although there are still a lot of improvements needed in treatment and dyeing of organic fibers, choosing it over synthetic is a good start.
QUALITY FIRST, ALWAYS
Poorly-made clothes tatter easily so they end up in your trash and eventually in landfills. Stop adding to the trash pile by investing in classic quality pieces that will last you a long time. They may cost you a bit more when you pay at the cashier but compared to cheap trendy clothes that you will probably discard in a year after five to seven wears, they are certainly more cost-efficient.
DONATING & UPCYCLING
Before throwing that flannel shirt or Christmas sweater your Grandma knitted for you in the trash, think first because they may still be in good shape to be of use to someone else. That is the beauty of quality pieces, even if they do not fit you anymore they still many years of service to someone else. Or you can upcycle your old clothes. Ripped jeans not have to immediately become trash. Try cutting it to become shorts or if you are crafty with sewing skills transform into a denim bag or apron. The great thing about clothes is that they are made of fabrics and textiles that can easily be transformed into new things. You can try making patchwork quilt from the dozens of old t-shirts you have been meaning to throw away or re-purpose your battered bath towels into small handy kitchen towels.
"Stop adding to the trash pile by investing in classic quality pieces that will last you a long time."
The fashion industry is big, not to mention profitable and it is a great thing that influential people are joining the eco-friendly fashion movement. Emma Watson and Rosario Dawson are just two of the many women who rally behind fair trade practices and use of organic fibers to give people opportunity to have livelihood from sustainable materials. There is also Will.I.Am who created his own line to promote the use of recycled materials in clothes like turning plastic bottles into polyester. And there are high prolife designers like Stella McCartney who does not use leather, fur, feathers and animal skins in her designs and Giorgio Armani who finally stopped using faux fur in his pieces.
Fashion utilizes Earth resources so do your part. Find ways to be fashionable without destroying the planet. There are tons of brands that have started revolutionizing the fashion industry, expand your knowledge today.
NOBASIC’s commitment to sustainable fashion is a big part of the brand’s integrity-driven ethos. Through ground-breaking vertical integration, materials that minimize environmental impact and a personal commitment to the Earth, we use fashion as a tool to effect powerful change in both Women and the World.
