Fashion is arguably the world’s second most polluting industry after oil. That’s why it is really important to discuss the importance of slow fashion and conscious fashion choices.
The Importance of Eco-Friendly Fashion Choices
Fashion issues don’t stop with pollution and excessive water usage; it is also a question of health since petroleum and chemicals can also be found in every item produced by fast fashion brands. Let’s start by raising awareness and choosing eco-friendly clothes.
Natural Living and Slow Fashion
Slow fashion means buying less while being conscious and mindful. It is part of a natural lifestyle with a minimalistic approach to shopping.
The whole “slow movement” is based on three principles: good tasty food, a production that does not harm the environment and accessible prices and fair conditions for workers.
Natural Living and Ethical Fashion
Ethical fashion is concerned with human and animal rights. It supports fair wages and no child labor policy, while always keeping an eye on environmental issues.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last” – Vivienne Westwood
Natural Living and Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion or eco-friendly fashion focuses on natural fabrics and reducing energy/water usage and waste. While all these terms seem to promote different issues, if you want to live a natural lifestyle, you must consider all of them which is hard only at the beginning.
Buying Less
We don’t buy clothes because we want to, we buy them because we are being told that we need to. It can be mind-numbing but the real price affects the whole planet. Choosing natural materials and ethical brands are healthier options for your body. It shows that you care about the people who have been working in inhumane condition for decades.
It’s all about choosing quality over quantity and learning to appreciate what you have and what you really need. Going against consumerism is challenging and it requires not reacting on an impulse, so make sure to surround yourself with people who share your values.
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, linen and lyocell don’t always mean you get what you paid for. Cotton is usually grown with pesticides, so the safer options are organic cotton and bamboo linen.
Natural lifestyle requires a lot of research, which takes away the time you’d usually spend in fast fashion stores. Make sure to read the labels, get to know the company you are giving your money to, and invest in timeless pieces without thinking of trends. After all, trends come and go but style is forever.
Recycled Fashion
Today, recycled fashion can mean various things. It could mean shopping from second-hand stores or not wasting the items you already own.
You can start a new hobby, make your own designs, use old clothes for cleaning or give it to charities. Whatever you decide, it’s up to you but don’t dispose any fabric because it can be used over and over again.
Concerns from Fashion Brands
It is becoming much clearer to big fashion houses that they need to devote more time to sustainable choices. We have more eco-friendly fabrics than ever, which only means that the prices are getting more accessible.
Nothing is more natural than natural fabrics and caring about the planet, as well as humans and animals who are part of it. Showing respect to Earth means showing the same respect to yourself and your loved ones, with compassion as well as admiration.
There’s a long road ahead of us. The good news is that we are talking about a relatively new issue in fashion circles. We do live in a world where wearing real fur is no longer fashionable. It shows that conscious fashion and eco-friendly clothing are going to take over so we can leave the world of fast fashion behind.
