The fashion industry contributes tremendously to global economic growth as it is the 4th biggest industry in the world. Fast fashion is greatly responsible for the success of the apparel industry worldwide. However, it is also responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and a number of environmental issues. The environmental and social cost of fast fashion is simply unavoidable.
Sustainable fashion is the silver lining in the fashion industry. It raised awareness among consumers by addressing many of the problems related to fast fashion and providing an alternative. Sustainable fashion refers to clothing and accessories that are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced.
What is Wrong with Fast Fashion?
The times they are a-changin’ and not in a good way! You might be wondering if fast fashion makes affordable and trendy clothing accessible to the consumers, what is wrong with that? The answer is everything. While the prices of clothes have gone significantly down in recent times, the cost has only gone up i.e., the environmental and social cost. Climate crisis, water pollution, energy crisis, water crisis, labor exploitation, animal cruelty- you name any of the major issues the planet is facing and fast fashion will be found guilty as one of the major contributors to all of these problems. Considering all the labor and resources that are exploited in the manufacturing process of these clothes, the price tag declares “problematic”.
How is Sustainable Fashion Different from Fast Fashion?
Sustainable fashion is antithetical to fast fashion as the names suggest. While fast fashion changes overnight and causes irreparable damage to the planet, sustainable fashion sustains consumers and the planet alike. One of the major differences is that sustainable fashion significantly reduces gas emissions, uses less water, and reduces water pollution. Sustainable fashion may be more expensive than fast fashion but if you take into account the improved quality of clothes and well-being of the planet, you will realize that it is a small price to pay for a sustainable future.
Why is Sustainable Fashion Important?
To put it simply, sustainable fashion is the cure of all the ills of fast fashion. Sustainable fashion counters all the issues presented by fast fashion. Firstly, sustainable fashion not only tackles environmental issues but also benefits the environment. It reduces water consumption, energy consumption, waste production, and gas emissions and thus is overall environmentally friendly. Secondly, sustainable fashion uses recycled or renewable fabrics to produce high-quality clothes and consequently reduces waste production in the manufacturing process.
Lastly, sustainable fashion is also ethical as it provides better working conditions and wages to garment workers.
What are the Benefits of Sustainable Clothing?
Switching to sustainable fashion may seem an ordeal at first which is understandable. As consumers, we have been accustomed to buying and discarding clothes quickly and staying updated with fashion trends. However, as conscious consumers, it is our responsibility to change our shopping habits for the greater good. Considering some of these benefits of sustainable fashion will help you change for good.
Higher Quality Clothing, Higher Quality of Life.
To your surprise, sustainable fashion not only benefits the environment but it benefits you, the consumer, as well. Sustainable fashion makes use of recycled or renewable fabrics and provides high-quality clothing compared to fast fashion. Most of the consumers are unaware of the harmful toxic substances, synthetic dyes, and metals in the clothes. Toxic clothing causes long-term health risks such as skin irritation and cancer. Sustainable fashion provides a safe and healthy alternative as the clothes are of higher quality and also improve the quality of your life.
Sustainable Fashion Helps the Environment.
Sustainable fashion helps the environment in several ways. Sustainable fashion saves natural resources by using recycled resources instead of new resources. It consumes less water and energy than fast fashion. In addition, sustainable fashion reduces gas emissions and involves no use of chemical substances, pesticides, or fertilizers. Thus, it also reduces waste production and benefits the environment. Sustainable fashion resolves most of the environmental issues created by fast fashion.
Fair Labor Practices and Animal Friendl
Unlike fast fashion which involves abusive and exploitative practices in the production process of clothes, sustainable fashion is ethical and animal friendly. Sustainable fashion is ethically sourced which means that the garment workers who produce these clothes are provided living wages. Exploitative practices such as child labor and forced labor are strictly avoided and working conditions are improved for workers. Moreover, sustainable fashion is also animal friendly as it does not harm animal life in the production of clothes.
In short, sustainable fashion prioritizes the well-being and welfare of you and the environment. Choose better and opt for sustainable brands like Cyanos Jay to play your part as a conscious consumer.
