Sustainable fashion has been a buzzword in recent years and for crucial reasons. It not just highlights the importance of reducing carbon footprint to save the planet, but also to establish a sustainable environment in all aspects of the production cycle - from reducing waste and following waste disposal guidelines to supporting the livelihoods of local artisans. With coronavirus pandemic impacting businesses across the globe, particularly the lives of daily wage workers, the need to switch to sustainable models has become more evident than before.
Pubali Sen, Indian fashion designer and founder of The Woven Threads, a global e-commerce platform of sustainable fashion, says, "Everything has consequences, like the adorable clothes of the fast fashion brands contributing to 10% of the global gas emissions, making it the second largest polluter of the world. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is the epiphany to not take things for granted. It is essential to make the shift, save animals, save humans from ennui, save our country's economy, save the planet, save yourself from toxicity and shift to ethical fashion."
20 reasons To Switch To Sustainable Fashion
Designer Pubali Sen gives us 20 reasons to shift to greener and ethical fashion:
1. QUALITY = LESS WASTE
Quality is the essence of sustainable fashion, aiming to last longer. Whereas, clothes produced by the fast brands don't last longer as their motive is to make the consumers purchase more and this in turn leads to more waste.
Also read: Feminist, Fashionable And Fighting For Sustainability: Anita Dongre
Quality is the essence of sustainable fashion
2. SAVES MONEY
Remember that the money you spend is casting a vote to the kind of world you support. Shifting to sustainable fashion will not only help the world profusely but also help you save some bucks.
3. VOCAL FOR LOCAL
The Covid crisis led to jumbling up our whole economy. As an Indian, it is essential to support local brands to revive the economy.
4. SUPPORT THE TALENTED
The lockdown has exacerbated the situation of local artisans and craftsmen. By supporting these brands, you'd be saving these talented people from ennui.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
Fast fashion is a major reason for sabotaging oceans and forests. By supporting ethical brands, you will ebb your own environmental footprint.
6. UNIQUE FASHION
Fast fashion is trendy, but we've been dictated what to wear for so long that most of us have forgotten our own unique style. Many sustainable fashion brands emphasise on creating beautiful timeless pieces of finest quality. Curate your own personal style and wear clothes that truly reflect you.
Also read: Designer Anavila Misra On Reinventing The Saree And What Sustainable Fashion Means Today
Curate your own personal style and wear clothes that truly reflect you
7. HIGH SATISFACTION
The satisfaction one derives by shopping from these brands in unfettered to just new clothes. Not only will you be reducing your footprint from the environmental catastrophe but also doing your bit to turn it otherwise.
8. SAVES ANIMAL LIVES
Sustainable fashion brands embrace cruelty free alternatives to save animals as well. Switch to cruelty free clothing and accessories.
9. FAIRER WORKING CONDITIONS
Studies have revealed that fast fashion brands hire people, get them to work for extensive hours and pay them peanuts. The people working are oblivious to the profits the brands make. Whereas, sustainable brands advocate for good working conditions, a desirable pay creating economic opportunities
10. CATERS TO YOUR NEEDS
Sustainable brands understand that every individual has different needs. Several sustainable brands manufacture custom clothes as well, for any age group, any length etc.
11. SAVE WATER
It takes approximately 7000 litres of water to manufacture a pair of jeans. That's as much as the amount of water you'd probably drink in 5 to 6 years. Sustainable fashion is definitely the correct choice.
12. SAFE FOR SKIN
Clothes of sustainable brands have zero toxicity. Natural colours, herbal and vegetable dyes have replaced chemical dyes.
13. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Traditional methods of weaving, hand spinning and natural dyeing take precedence over mechanisation in the sustainable fashion world today.
14. CONSUMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE
Clothing production has doubled from 2000 to 2014 but it is because demands have increased from consumers. It's essential for us to make the shift to sustainability.
15. FOR THE FUTURE
It is predicted that by 2030, the fashion industry will use 35% more land for cotton and grassland for livestock. It is time to act now.
16. DETOX YOUR LIFE
Sustainable lifestyle is the way to go, and shifting to sustainable fashion is the easiest step one can take to detox one's life.
17. LESS POLLUTION
Fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, contributing to 10% of the global gas emissions, which is more than international flights and maritime combined. These statistics are enough to make the shift.
18. REALISTIC BODY IMAGE
Fast fashion brands tend to promote a single type of body image - muscular for men and extremely slim for women - setting unrealistic beauty standards. Sustainable fashion embraces every type of body.
19. FOR THE BUSY BEES
Studies reveal only 15% of adults recycle their clothes. If you wish to do so but lack the time, sustainable brands are the best choice. There are many brands who will take the garment from you and refurbish it according to your style.
20. DITCH THE MONSTER IN YOUR CLOSET
The fast fashion brands over manufacture by 30-40%, the majority of which ends up in landfills, the consequences of which is our earth suffocating and not being able to renew itself.
The list goes on and on. Glamorous and scintillating on the outside, fast-fashion has some hideous truths which remain obscured.
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