Trying to protect our planet has become as an important an issue of how to look good. Most of us care about both these things, which raises an important question: is it possible to be both sustainable and stylish? This may require some planning, but the answer is a definite yes! Below is a step-by-step guide that shows you how to make this possible.
I have created an easy 3 step guide to a fashionable, sustainable wardrobe:
· Firstly, you could minimise the quantity of clothes you buy from unethical brands. You’ll find plenty of articles which highlight which retailers do not take social and environmental responsibilities seriously. So do your homework and educate yourself about the sustainable credentials of your usual brands.
· Secondly, carry out some online research into a small number of classic, environmental pieces. Things to consider might be whether they use recycled or recyclable materials; how much water or chemicals used; whether they use child labour etc.
· Lastly, you could rewear these till their product life cycle comes to a close, and recycle these correctly.
At a time of economic crisis this Christmas, people may want to forget about purchasing environmental fashion options. Instead, they may opt for cheaper alternatives which adopt unethical and unsustainable practices. Often known as throw away fashion. But it is still important that we consider buying environmentally friendly clothing items, which reduce the extremely harmful effects of climate change and global warming. It’s about being informed and choosing carefully, it doesn’t have to limit your options.
So where to start? The View is here to offer you a helping hand this Christmas. We’ve done some of the hard work for you. Here is a list of clothing brands and shops who prioritise sustainability as one of their main aims. To find out more and locate other sustainable fashion brands, you can also simply look for positive environmental credentials on their online website. This information will give you a further insight into how the brand operates ethically, and with environmental caution.
· Pangaia
· Reformation
· Selfridges Project Earth
· Lucy&Yak
But there are other sustainable brands out there!
For sustainable fashion to work successfully though it also needs to be on trend. So what’s on trend for Winter 2022? Our research has identified a range of items which are becoming more popular as we approach the winter months. The pieces gracing fashion magazines and Pinterest at the moment include:
· Loafer Shoes
· Casual Tracksuit Sets
· Buckled Skirts
· Tank Tops
· Oversized Jumpers
· Unique Accessories
· Low Rise Loose Fitting Jeans
These pieces can be styled in a wide range of ways to suit a variety of budgets and occasions. Versatility is important if we are going to start seeing what we wear as a long term investment, rather than a throw away item. So use your imagination, creativity and flair to benefit your purse and the planet.
Winter basics: Here are a variety of clothing items which are great for going Christmas shopping, or decorating the Christmas tree. By choosing a range of fashion items that differ in either subtle or noticeable ways, will help us to understand the possible versatility of fashion. Coco Chanel once said “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” highlighting how we can all shift our attitudes to fashion and reinvent our wardrobe with a few well chosen combinations and accessories.
Pangaia Signature Hoodie and Track Pants In White
Lucy&Yak Organic Cotton Posy Green Hoodie And Joggers
Pangaia Signature Hoodie And Track Pants In Black
Winter staples: These pieces will help to form the basis of your winter wardrobe, and can be worn for any winter occasion.
Reformation Agathea Chunky Loafers
VETTA Blazer Dress In Black
Reformation Tasha Tank In Heather Grey
Reformation Addison Low Rise Relaxed Jeans In Maldives
Reformation Fantino Cashmere Collared Cardigan In Dark Grey
Reformation Katerina Lug Sole Chelsea Boot In Black
Unique pieces: Here are a selection of pieces which will add a sense of individuality and unique flair to your winter wardrobe, whilst also considering the environmental impacts of the product.
These individual pieces prove that being eco-friendly doesn’t mean your style has to be simple, but allow you to stand out, whilst also knowing that the clothes you are wearing have not made negative impressions on the environment.
Vivienne Westwood’s comment, “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last” offers further inspiration from a British fashion icon about idea of choosing fewer clothing items, but picking ones which will be durable and stylish for years to come. You can love fashion and the planet! Just use your head.
Reformation Marguerite Silk Dress In Flambe
Selfridges Project Earth Jacquemus Le Chiquito Medium Leather Top-Handle Bag In Pink
Selfridges Project Earth Acne Studios Vally Checked Wool-Blend Scarf In Green, Grey, Black
Reformation Breslin Dress In Emerald Sparkle
Selfridges Project Earth Acne Studios Vally Striped Wool-Blend Scarf In Fuschia, Lilac, Pink
Selfridges Project Earth Jacquemus Le Chiquito Medium Leather Top-Handle Bag In Ivory
Selfridges Project Earth Call It Spring Steffanie Chunky-Heeled Vegan-Leather Boots In Black
The benefits of sustainable fashion, especially at Christmas mean that you are contributing to the sustainable fashion market. This will have many social, economical and environmental advantages, which will benefit the Earth both now, and in the future. Some positive effects from buying sustainable fashion items include:
· Sustainable fashion brands aim to use recycled or environmentally friendly materials to produce their products, and so this will either reduce the costs of buying new raw materials, or reduce the environmental impacts of obtaining textile materials.
· Environmentally considerate clothing brands are likely to strive for improved and ethical working conditions for their employees.
· Sustainable clothing brands have reduced carbon dioxide emissions from production and manufacturing processes, and use less water in making their garments.
If you buy these clothes, more manufacturers will want to make clothes this way. You will affect the future of our world through the choices you make.
So is sustainable fashion really possible? More importantly, is it worth it?
Sustainable fashion is certainly possible, and is unquestionably worth the consciousness planning, choosing and styling. The fast fashion industry is known to be the second biggest consumer of water, and releases between 8% and 10% of global carbon emissions, according to the UN environment programme. However, if more people were to switch to contributing to the environmental fashion industry, this could save an incredible amount of water and land, whilst also helping to preserve the earth for future generations.
To find out more information on sustainable fashion, you can visit one of the following websites:
· https://goodonyou.eco/
· https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/06/the-most-inspirational-blogs-on-sustainable-fashion
· https://www.sustainyourstyle.org/
Happy Shopping Everyone! Remember that the future is in your hands and your wardrobe.
By Sophie Swift