What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainability is defined as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising those of the future. Sustainable fashion refers to the efforts of the fashion industry to minimize its adverse environmental and social impact. The goal of sustainable fashion is to create a clothing supply chain that is environmentally and socially responsible. It aims to reorient the industry and consumers away from the fast fashion model and toward sustainable practices in sourcing, production, distribution, marketing, and consumption. Fast fashion refers to mass produced clothes by big corporations such as H&M , Zara, Uniqlo. Fast fashion has completely revolutionized the apparel industry, but for the worse. The fast fashion industry is driving down quality, exploiting the environment and their workers to create clothing that does not last. Behind every piece of clothing in a store, there is an industry stripping the earth of its limited resources and exploiting the labor force that works in its factories. The fashion industry produces 100 billion garments a year and 87% (40 million tons) end up in a landfill.
In today's world, the future of fashion is not just about looking good, but about doing what's right. Sustainability is not a choice but rather the future of fashion. We all love buying clothes but we need to slow down. We need far less than what we actually have. Sustainable fashion is more than just a way of shopping. It’s a lifestyle and a philosophy that acknowledges the real value of clothing and the entire process involved – from materials, the planet, and the people. How we shop and care for our clothing are easy ways to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our planet. In this blog we will discuss some tips to help consumers make sustainable fashion choices.
Knowledge is power
The first and the most important step towards living a sustainable lifestyle is to educate yourself. Take the time to research and understand the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, single-use plastics, and other unsustainable practices common in the industry. Before committing to anything, it's essential to do your research. As a consumer, you can leverage the internet to research sustainable brands and verify if they genuinely uphold their sustainability claims. Be cautious of ‘greenwashing,’ where brands falsely present themselves as sustainable.
Change your mindset
The next step is to evaluate your own mindset. Shopping is a different experience for every individual and it's important to realize your own priorities before making any commitments. Make a practical strategy that best suits your lifestyle, avoiding unrealistic plans that are difficult to follow through. Additionally, it's essential to support brands that align with your personal values. Start by making small but effective changes to your shopping habits.
Quality > Quantity
The idea of choosing the cheaper product to save money is not exactly the most accurate one. You may save money in the short term but it does not really benefit you in the long run. Choosing quality over quantity means that you are more focused on buying high quality products that can withstand the test of time instead of buying low quality easily disposable products. Although high quality products may cost more initially but their durability means that the price per use decreases over time making them a more sustainable choice in the long run compared to lower quality products which are discarded after one or two use. A cheaper product is more alluring sure but it is never the sustainable choice. Investing in quality products means investing in your future and that of the planet.
Less is more
Do not invest in micro trends instead discover your own individual style and invest in capsule wardrobe pieces. You do not need a number of different clothes in your wardrobe but only a few versatile pieces which can be styled in numerous different ways. Make sure whatever you are buying is something you really want and not just another trend that has been fed to you by social media. Adopting a minimalist lifestyle can help you live your life more sustainably. It is important to consider that each choice you make can greatly impact the environment for you and generations to come so choose carefully.
“BUY LESS, CHOOSE WELL, MAKE IT LAST”
~ Vivienne Westwood
Choose organic material
Choose clothing made from organic materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, recycled polyester or lyocell. These materials are not only good for the environment but also for your health and comfort. These fabrics have a lower carbon footprint because they are made from natural materials and generally use less water and energy compared to other fabrics. Additionally, these fabrics are more comfortable and breathable than synthetic fabrics making them more comfortable upon wearing.
Embrace slow fashion
Slow fashion movement focuses on solving the problem of overproduction and overconsumption i.e the exact opposite of what fast fashion stands for. Slow fashion aims to curate high quality pieces that have a longer lifespan and are designed thoughtfully using ethical practices and sustainable materials.
The main goal of the slow fashion movement is to highlight the true value of clothing. Shop from brands that use small batch production methods and pre orders to avoid unsold inventory.
Reduce plastic consumption
Plastic consumption is one of the major environmental issues. By choosing to follow some simple steps like carrying your own bags while shopping and supporting brands that use eco friendly packaging ,thus minimizing the consumption of single use plastics.
Shop from sustainable brands
Choose brands that are environment friendly as well as ethical. Sustainability is not just about caring for the environment but also about human relationships. Support brands that treat their workforce well and pay fair wages, while also maintaining transparency throughout their supply chain. Buying from sustainable brands can have a positive change but keep in mind that change is not brought by one person making the right decision, it's a collective effort and a difficult one at that.
“ As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy”
~ Emma Watson
Shopping sustainably does not mean that you have to compromise your style. It means that you have the power to embrace your unique style while also saving the planet. The essence of sustainable shopping is to curate a wardrobe for the future. It means investing in high quality clothing which doesn't require replacing every couple months, curating a wardrobe that compliments your individual style. Sustainable shopping empowers you with the knowledge to make decisions that do not harm the environment and the people making your clothes. Your wardrobe is an embodiment of your values so make sure that you make the right choices when it comes to shopping.
SHOP MINDFULLY, SHOP SUSTAINABLY!!!
How does Ronazen contribute to sustainability?
At Ronazen , sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in small batch production over mass production to minimize waste and ensure quality. We source all our raw materials locally to support local businesses and artisans. Every piece of clothing is manufactured and marketed under fair and safe working conditions, ensuring ethical treatment throughout our supply chain. The cornerstone of our sustainability approach is our commitment to zero plastic packaging , we use eco friendly materials that protect our planet instead. We are committed to the mission of saving our planet - join us in making a difference.