The perks and downfalls of eco-conscious fashion

Keeping up with the trends has always been the hallmark of every fashionista. Satisfying your closet cravings is no easy task, and it requires a lot of shopping! Unfortunately, a few years down the line, most of the pieces that were once considered ‘fashionable’ become outdated and you will find yourself scurrying to the nearest sale in an effort to update your wardrobe.  This is why we are now witnessing an upsurge in the movement of sustainable fashion.
The eco-conscious or “green” consumer dedicates their time to finding timeless pieces that are durable and high in quality. This means less clutter in your closet and much more money to spend on meaningful experiences. However, the best part about sustainable fashion is the feeling of doing something for the planet. Most of your old clothes end up in landfills and around 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles. According to Earth Pledge, 25% of the world’s pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. The need for sustainability is becoming increasingly evident in all aspects of our lives- including fashion.
Sustainable clothing is characterized by its eco-friendly methods of production, and is usually derived from sustainably grown fiber crops or recycled materials. The production of such clothing takes into account a multitude of key factors like the health of the consumers, the environment and fair working conditions for the workers in the industry.
Evidently, there are a lot of perks associated with shopping for sustainable clothing, but are there any drawbacks? Of course. There are pros and cons to most things, and one of the main limitations of shopping sustainably is its price point. Sustainable fashion tends to be more expensive because of its ethically sourced and natural ingredients. Another major drawback would be its limited accessibility. If you aren’t living in a metro city, finding sustainable clothing brand showrooms will be much more difficult. These brands also tend to roll out many more pieces for women and finding articles of clothing for men and children that are ethically sourced are much harder. A lot of sustainable fashion brands have limited sizes within their lines, so finding the right fit might be a bit of a challenge as well.
In a nutshell, sustainability in fashion aims at improving the fashion industry’s impact on the environment and maintaining social and economic justice. However, it isn’t always easy to shop sustainably and many important factors like your budget, geographic location and body type should be taken into account before you decide to make the switch in your wardrobe. Upcycling and shopping from second hand stores are cheaper alternatives to shopping for sustainable clothing and will always be a good option to improve our planet, one step at a time.

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