Fast fashion is cheap, convenient, and trendy. But is it sustainable? What is the actual cost of that $5 T-shirt?
Producing it took 2,700 liters of drinkable water and dumped over five pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere. All this water and energy contribute to your T-shirt’s carbon footprint.
I was surprised to learn that the fashion industry has a larger carbon footprint than international flights and the maritime shipping industry combined.
So could a cotton T-shirt be more sustainably made? What is sustainable clothing anyway? Is it yet another marketing claim? Let’s find out.
But wait, you might be thinking – I’m on a budget, sustainable fashion sounds expensive. Sustainable clothing can indeed be a lot more expensive than fast fashion. But, not all sustainable items come with a luxury price tag.
Next time you need to replace something in your closet, check out our list of affordable, sustainable fashion brands.
What Does Sustainable Clothing Mean?
Sustainable fashion has exploded in popularity over the last few years.
We couldn’t be happier that more people are hearing about it. But how do we keep it from turning into another buzzword? By understanding what eco friendly apparel is. And what it’s not.
First, sustainable clothing should have minimal impact on the environment. Minimal impact includes the choice of materials and how they were produced. For example, producers can choose pesticide-free or organic cotton over conventional cotton.
The manufacturer made the garments responsibly by choosing zero waste or minimal waste methods. They pay particular attention to how their operations impact employees. They also consider their impact on the larger community.
Last, they distribute garments in a way that uses the least amounts of energy and limits waste. Producers may even take back old clothes for recycling, so they don’t end up in landfills.
Fast fashion is about price and convenience. Companies like Zara and H&M look for the cheapest way to produce clothing.
These companies use sustainability as a marketing tactic. Environmental impact or the people who make the garments have to come second. That’s how they can profit off a $5 shirt.
Choosing to buy less but from sustainable brands is a better option.
Sustainable fashion can also mean thrifting rather than buying new products. Or finding ways to upcycle your old pieces.
Every step in the right direction counts. Sustainability isn’t about a single brand, or fabric, or production method.
That said, let’s talk about the specifics of sustainable apparel-making:
What Is Sustainable Clothing Made From?
Starting with the basics, how do you know which fabrics are sustainable and which are toxic?
Eco friendly materials include natural fabrics and manufactured fibers, including:
- Plant-derived fibers like organic cotton, hemp, and linen. They should be grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals.
- Responsibly sourced animal-derived materials such as silk or wool.
- Leather and leather alternatives that skip the highly polluting leather tanning process. That may be faux leather made from natural materials like pineapples, cork, or apples. Or vintage leather, vegetable-tanned leather, and recycled faux leather.
- Artificial fabrics that are derived from plant cellulose fibers such as Rayon/Viscose and Lyocell/Tencel. It’s also essential that the producer is using a closed-loop system.
- Recycled and repurposed materials like polyester made out of old plastic (PET) bottles. Recycled PET polyester fleece sheds 55% less microfiber than virgin PET.
Sustainable fabrics are way better for the environment than their conventional alternatives. They also tend to release fewer chemicals, so they’re great if you don’t want potential allergens on your skin.
And which materials are not sustainable?
The worst offenders are nylon and polyester.
Nylon manufacturing creates potent greenhouse gases and consumes a lot of water. Toxic bleach is often also used in the process. Both of these fabrics are petroleum-derived and not biodegradable at all!
Want to know more? Check out our ultimate guide [link to article] to the best sustainable fabrics.
How Is Eco-Friendly Clothing Made and Sold?
With the fabrics covered, let’s talk about the other steps of the process. What makes sustainable clothing production different?
The Making of Sustainable Clothing
One in eight workers in the world works in textile.
And 93% of companies aren’t paying their employees living wages. Workers can’t afford necessities like nutritious food and quality healthcare.
The eco friendly label is usually associated with environmental responsibility. Yet, sustainable brands also focus on the well-being of workers. They pay fair wages, support the right to a union, and don’t use child labor.
With minimized use of toxic chemicals, employees work in a healthier environment. And their communities aren’t polluted by harmful waste.
Sustainable apparel production also means reducing waste. Some companies favor square cuts with no offcuts. Others find ways to repurpose leftover material into accessories or home decor.
Not all eco-fashion brands are the same in their policies. Some pledge fair treatment, while others get involved in banishing worker exploitation. Either way, they’re committed to doing things better – both for the environment and their workers.
Packaging and Distribution
How does a garment make its way to your closet?
The farther a product has to travel, the bigger its carbon footprint. Whenever possible, shopping locally is more sustainable. Plus, it’s also a great way to support your community.
Online shopping is also more eco friendly. Garments bypass the retail store and go directly from the warehouse to the consumer. You’re not driving to the mall, and the distributor isn’t driving there either. Less driving equals a smaller carbon footprint.
Next, let’s consider the packaging.
Eco friendly packaging will be minimal and made from recyclable and recycled materials. Sustainable fashion brands forgo extras like stickers, tissue paper, or business cards.
Some brands are getting very creative with their packaging. For example, they are introducing biodegradable packing peanuts or mushroom packaging boxes.
Why is Sustainable Fashion Important?
Going green has many benefits. Here are the main reasons why we need to switch to sustainable fashion:
- Sustainable clothing is better for the environment. Sustainable fabrics use organic fibers and create less waste in production. Many are even made from recycled materials.
- Sustainable clothing is better for your health. Mass-produced clothing contains many hazardous substances. They find their way from the garment to your skin and into your body. Sustainable clothing is free from chemicals.
- Sustainable fashion is longer lasting because it is made of cleaner, higher-quality fabrics. When well looked after, they will last much longer than fast fashion.
- Use sustainable clothing to cultivate your style. Fast fashion is all about trends and universal appeal. Sustainable brands focus on the details and offer unique designs. And shopping second-hand is a great way to add vintage flair to your wardrobe.
- Make a positive impact on vulnerable communities. Working conditions in the fashion industry very rarely favor the employees. Companies take advantage of third-world countries and vulnerable groups. Most textile workers are women, with some being underage. Sustainable fashion companies aim to break the vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation. You’re also supporting a positive change for the people who make your clothes by supporting these businesses.
Is Sustainable Clothing Expensive?
It’s all lovely and very ethical, but what about the price tag?
Shopping for sustainable clothing can be pricier than fast fashion. But, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s what you need to know about the price of sustainable clothing:
You Don’t Have to Buy Anything.
A sustainable mindset doesn’t only apply to brands. Buying second-hand items and doing clothes swaps are some of the sustainable ways to add to your closet. Repairing, repurposing, and upcycling old things are also ways to embrace sustainable fashion.
Make sure you make the most of what you already have. Don’t throw out all your “unsustainable” clothes after reading this article. Use items until they are no longer wearable. If you must, donate to organizations that will give your clothes a second life. The point with eco fashion is reducing resource wastage, pollution, and consumption.
That simple, minimalist approach is the most eco friendly decision you can make.
Go Thrifting
Second-hand shopping no longer carries the stigma it once did. Some argue it has become gentrified.
Regardless, buying used goods is one of the most environmentally friendly fashion decisions. Not to mention it saves a lot of money!
Plus, second-hand shopping isn’t limited to your local Goodwill store. Some other places to find pre-loved items include:
- Local Facebook groups where people post their unused items
- Local Buy Nothing groups where people give unwanted stuff away
- eBay and similar e-commerce listing platforms
- Poshmark, Depop, thredUP, and other online consignment stores
- High-end resale sites like Vestiaire Collective and The Real Real
Buying second-hand clothing has twice the positive effect.
First, you’re not buying new items eliminating the use of new materials. There’s also less pollution entering the environment.
And, better yet, you’re preventing the used clothes and accessories from going to a landfill.
Is It More Expensive?
Sustainable brands are about protecting the environment first. Their goal is to make garments that will last for years. So, in the long run, shopping for sustainable items pays off.
By combing better quality with a minimalist approach, you have the capsule wardrobe.
Capsule wardrobes consist of interchangeable items that you can mix and match into many outfits.
Not only is this more sustainable than buying into every trend, but it’s less stressful. You have a bunch of fabulous outfits, and packing has become a breeze.
Ultimately, with sustainable clothing, you’re paying for the quality. Quality of the actual T-shirt AND the production process to make it.
We think a $5 price tag for a shirt is normal because a production model used by fast fashion makes it possible. These companies produce at an enormous scale, using the cheapest material and labor. They still make money off that $5 shirt.
To counter fast fashion’s approach, many sustainable brands are embracing transparent pricing. They show the details of how much each step of making the item costs, including any mark-up. You know where the final price of the article comes from.
Pricing transparency is a way to understand the value of the items we buy. Fast fashion has normalized low prices for clothing. But, we are not told about the cost to the environment and the communities around the textile industry.
Conclusion
What is sustainable clothing?
It’s fashion that respects the planet, the workers, and the wearers.
Sustainable brands work to create garments with minimal impact on the environment. And the changes affect every step of the production chain. Materials, labor, packaging, and the community are all considered.
But sustainable fashion isn’t only about buying new things. It’s also about embracing a minimalist attitude toward the items you buy. Purchasing high-quality, long-lasting pieces, and repairing them, instead of tossing them out.
Don’t have the budget for new sustainable clothing? Shop second-hand or ‘upcycle’ your old pieces. It’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t involve producing new clothes at all.
Everyone can find a way to embrace sustainable fashion. And we will all benefit as a result.
What is your favorite sustainable fashion brand? Let us know in the comments below!