FAST TIMES, SLOW CHOICES (3/3)

Sustainable fashion has been the talk of the hour for almost a decade or more. In theory, everyone loves to talk about it, but it hasn't made any progress practically. Sustainable fashion needs to be implemented on a macro level as well as on a micro level. Designers and fashion businesses frequently discuss sustainable fashion and the necessity for the industry to make ecologically responsible decisions. However, it is still evident that the general population and those who actually buy fashion brands have not fully embraced sustainability. We piqued your interest in the previous post, so let's now see how we can adapt a more conscious approach towards our own wardrobe.

The responsibility to nurture sustainable fashion is upon two entities- the producers as well as the consumers. Until both these entities contribute equally, the industry would remain where it is, without progress.  

First, the producers. The companies that sell to consumers have to take the biggest step toward sustainability. At a macro level, what can industries do? 

• Diverse Models: Clothing companies will need to hire more diverse models, advertise in more welcoming settings, and experiment with new styling techniques if they want to make sustainable fashion more attractive. They will be able to attract a much wider audience of customers who believe that the brand's clothes were designed for them, not only to a specific social group, by adding fresh voices to their brand.

• Trendy Clothes : Right now, sustainable brands have majorly only produced basics. Basic clothes, priced high is a formula that is bound to go wrong. In order to create a buzz, it is important that brands look at producing products that are aligned with new trends. 

• Influencers: We don't yet fully understand the extent to which social media influencers have authority on the vast majority of their followers. When your favourite influencer is pushing a product, it persuades you to want it, whether you're buying clothing online or viewing an advertisement for a store. These fashion influencers, especially if they are already environmentally conscious, are the ideal answer for promoting the many sustainable products that need more people to become aware of them. A partnership with them would be very beneficial for industries. 

Stella McCartney's 'Autumn' is a sustainable collection

Of course, while industries play a huge role in spreading sustainable fashion, at an individual level, there is a lot that can be done. The sustainable fashion community needs individual action to continue. It starts with you. Here are a few ways consumers can help in making this movement a reality:

• Rearranging and Organizing your Wardrobe: Start by organizing what you already have in your closet. When styling garments, "mixing and matching" is simple if your closet is neatly arranged so that you can see everything within. As a result, you'll be less likely to purchase brand-new goods.

an organized closet is the first step

• Repairing before Replacing: Avoid tossing out a beloved clothing due of minor wear and tear while organising your wardrobe. You may easily fix small tears, holes, and button shortages by yourself. You may learn how to fix clothes and accessories by watching YouTube tutorials. With a little creativity and ingenuity, you may turn your clothing or accessory into a one-of-a-kind item.

• Swapping Clothes: You and your friends can trade clothes. This helps you declutter your closet and give your old clothes a second chance. You and your buddies will simultaneously obtain new products without having to pay any money. Joining social media networks will also allow you to exchange clothing. By using this strategy, we can all contribute to lowering the quantity of garbage in the environment.

• Thrifting: Purchasing secondhand or vintage clothing lessens your need to purchase new clothing while also reducing the harmful effects of garment manufacture on the environment. Vintage clothing never goes out of style, right? These preloved items can also be a wonderful complement to a fashionable ensemble. Spend some time perusing antique shops; you can find special products for affordable costs.

a thrift shop

• Capsule Wardrobe : A capsule wardrobe is a practice of editing your wardrobe down to your favorite clothes (clothes that fit your lifestyle + body right now), remixing them regularly, and shopping less often and more intentionally. Capsule wardrobes are all about practicing mindfulness and intention when it comes to shopping for clothes. Youtubers like Kaiti Yoo have mulitple videos about building a wardrobe you like with limited pieces that can be incorporated in various outfits. Engaging in such content can be insightful. 

kaiti yoo is a lifestyle blogger and has multiple videos as such

• A Minimalist Lifestyle: A minimalist lifestyle is one in which unnecessary objects are eliminated, simplifying one's life. Wearing stuff that make you happy and having fewer outfits in your closet are all aspects of minimalist fashion. Making purchases only when necessary reduces production, disposal, and pollution.

• Donating Your Clothes : Rathering than disposing of clothes you are no longer interested in, donate them! This will reduce the amount of waste produced, also someone might find liking to your old clothes, you never know.

These are just some methods that one can follow to build themselves a nicer wardrobe that both they and mother earth would love. These techniques do not even require investment of a truckload of money or time, just making conscious, mindful decisions is enough. 

Now you know everything there is to know about sustainable fashion. All you have to do now, is take action. 

Fashion is an expression, no doubt, but it doesn't have to be at the expense of the environment.