Does Sustainable Fashion Exist?

2024 is almost over, a year of vibrant technological and scientific breakthroughs. The advancement of the human race never seems to slow down, reaching higher heights every year. As our society advances so far, we must stop to think - is our environment advancing with us? The answer is no. Ecosystems are continuously being torn down, the arctic tundra is melting, and yet, society is thriving. With the help of social media, people are consuming clothing at an unbelievable rate, making the fashion industry responsible for about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s dive into a discussion of sustainability in fashion and whether it does or ever will exist.

Many brands have publicly advocated for sustainable fashion in the past few years, labeling their brands as using “recycled fibers” and “ethical practices.” However, the extent to which these claims improve sustainability is low; less than 1% of clothes are made from recycled garments. Another significant environmental threat is the overwhelming use of synthetic fibers, which can take centuries to decompose. Even if brands used recycled polyesters, the lengthy decomposition time alongside the release of microplastics into water sources is unavoidable. The advent of fast fashion and micro trends has only amplified the effects of fashion on our deteriorating environment, with 20-50% of discarded clothes never having been worn. Online shopping has also led to increased consumption and waste, but alternatively, it cuts down on environmental impacts by reducing emissions that would’ve been released by traveling to stores. Overall, from the creation of a design to the production of an item of clothing, there are multitudes of processes that yield harmful effects on the environment.

The real concern and the more important reason behind the fashion industry’s negative impacts lies in the business models themselves. Fashion brands are geared towards making consumers want to buy more and more, driving up sales and generating revenue. The fashion industry alone makes about $1.8 trillion in revenues every year, which is 2% of the entire world’s GDP, a number that guarantees brands will continue to try and sell more. In combination with fashion brands’ agendas to sell and sell, there are multiple avenues on which this concept is drilled into a consumer’s mind. Starting with social media, influencers and brands create content about new fashion trends and the hottest new items, which drives consumers to buy more clothing to fit in and look cooler. This overwhelming desire to appeal to others, embedded deep into our core, is the perfect target for fashion brands to exploit. The luxury fashion sphere also functions by creating new trends, giving consumers more reason to add to their already full closets. Sustainability lies in the morale of the buyer and the seller. If both the consumer and brand would act altruistically, demand would reduce, and production would decrease tremendously. It seems impossible, and it likely is, as our world has been built up on business and revenue tactics. For these reasons, it seems our environment will continue to cry for help as the fashion world fails to listen.

Now, for those who want to continue indulging in and enjoying the world of fashion, there are options to reduce the impact on the environment. The first option is to focus on building a capsule wardrobe, compiling pieces of clothing that remain chic and stylish through the decades. This significantly reduces the sheer amount of clothing one needs to own while not sacrificing one’s style. Next, a consumer can be more attentive to where their clothing goes once it leaves the wardrobe. There are many sustainable options, such as donations, charity shops, shelters, and online fashion programs that repurpose old clothing. Lastly, tailoring can be a quick and easy way to keep clothes for longer and reduce the need to buy more. By altering one’s clothes to fit exactly as desired or switching up the design of something you own through a seamstress, clothes can find new life and avoid landfills. It’s all up to you to decide the fate of your wardrobe and the effects it’ll have on our beautiful but slowly deteriorating environment.

Featured Image Courtesy of Imperial College London