Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression that allows us to experiment with styles and find our own authenticity. However, the detrimental effects of fast fashion have left many feeling unsatisfied with their clothing choices.
Its unethical practices, including the use of environmentally harmful materials and exploitation of underpaid workers, have wreaked havoc on both people and the planet. Even the quality of fast fashion is often lacking, leaving many clothes feeling empty and uninspiring, and sometimes it just feels like a copycat.
5 Facts of Fast Fashion that should alarm us
- It's alarming how much pollution and deforestation is caused by the fashion industry, and how fast fashion contributes significantly to it. "48% of fast fashion’s supply chains are linked to this deforestation resulting in 90 to 150 million trees cut annually to produce these textile fibers".
- The working conditions and wages of garment workers in fast fashion are unethical and a cause for concern.
- We should be worried about the amount of waste created by the culture of disposable clothing that fast fashion promotes.
- The use of synthetic fibers in fast fashion is not only harmful to the environment but also takes a long time to decompose, polluting waterways and affecting marine life.
- The cycle of excessive clothing purchases promoted by fast fashion is not just bad for the environment but can also lead to financial instability.
Fortunately, an increasing number of fashion brands are embracing sustainable practices that promote upcycling, recycling, and repurposing to create eco-friendly fashion.
5 brands that are leading the way to sustainability
These brands prioritize the use of materials that are environmentally friendly and aim to create clothing that looks and feels great while also reducing their impact on the planet.
1. VETTA
VETTA has taken the extra mile to design clothes that give you multiple ways to wear the same piece. Their sale of mini capsule wardrobes includes five versatile pieces that customers can use to create almost a month’s worth of outfits.
It’s also very conscious about its materials; they use deadstock fabric, leftover fabric used in new clothing instead of being sent to a landfill. VETTA is a fantastic brand to shop for and start practicing a sustainable mindset by filling a wardrobe worth of outfits with a couple of blouses and trousers.
2. Reformation
The business started back in 2009 selling vintage clothing but quickly expanded into the sustainability market. Reformation ensures that every part of their supply chain is well taken care of and can see that their sources remain environmentally friendly.
Their goal is to elevate women’s fashion and lower supply chains' environmental impact. Almost all their outfits are made from eco-friendly materials such as deadstock fabric or are upcycled pieces that give old clothes a new purpose. The brand is ahead in lowering its carbon footprint and is projected to be climate positive in 2025.
3. Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row uses every inch of fabric cut in their production. Every release on their store is limited based on their waitlist feature, so they don’t overproduce and create more waste.
Even the scrap left over has a purpose. Whether it gets turned into a bucket hat or scrunchie, not a single fabric goes to a landfill. Their local factory works with organic cotton and upcycled fabric, ensuring a comfortable and safe style.
4. AERA
AERA is transparent with its social and environmental impact records to prove that vegan fashion works. Every year the company looks to offset its impact on the world by 110% by using certified vegan materials.
Their materials, such as bio polyols, make up their signature glass-colored lining, don’t take away vital plant-based foods from animal feeds, and have one of the lowest carbon footprints for production.
The humble company looks to provide the best designs from their partners in Italy while keeping the planet and animals out of harm's way.
5. Socially Acceptable Jammies
Darcy Barber makes all products by herself in her Brooklyn apartment. She works with used and recycled materials to make new sets of stylish pajamas for kids, moms, and even dogs.
As she put it on her site, “...I only use post-consumer waste which means I'll go hypothetical dumpster diving, so you don't have to.” Her effort to create a more sustainable market for pajamas shows that it only takes one person to start making a difference in the world.
Shop Repurpose is committed to uplifting women to greater heights with our selection of pre-loved luxury items. Shop with a purpose to do social good here and learn more about our upcycling practices andy why is also a great sustainable solution.
By Gabriel Guivas