Climate Conscious Fashion - Step Towards Slow Fashion
In last few years there has been lot of talks about preservation of our planet and reducing their carbon emissions. These concepts are also brought to the fashion industry as it contributes to 10% of the global carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are generated as a result of our activities. Our day-to-day choices can help improve our carbon impact and also sway on macro and micro industries working towards a larger system change.
So where is a good place to start for the average consumer?
- Wear what you already have
Simply putting your clothes to use more often rather than throwing them away helps reducing your emission per year. Style your existing clothes with different accessories and reinvent with your own DIY project.
- Embrace air and washing cycles
Hang out your clothes to dry rather having reliance on dryer. Dry delicates flat and turn colourful dresses inside out to prevent fading. Use eco settings in your machine to save water and power consumption. Read the label and wash in cold water which saves on heating and increases longevity of your clothes. Don’t wash your clothes too often (example jeans don’t need regular washing but neither does most pants or outerwear) and adjust for your preferences and lifestyle.
- Say goodbye responsibly
Once your clothes have reached their lifecycle instead of landfill look out for options where you are able to sell, swap or correctly donate it. If clothes are too torn look for charity stores who use worn garments into industrial rugs.
- Buy Less but buy Better
When you purchase be conscious and intentional about what to add in wardrobe. Rather than buying number of cheap items look for streamlining and invest in quality product which will last longer and fits you properly. Buy from local supplier which will cut the distance the clothing has to travel and help reduce carbon emissions.
- Support Climate Conscious Brand and certified fabrics
Finally support brands with zero waste ethos with low embedded emissions throughout the supply chain. Like cotton for example is a plant-based fibre, however is very carbon intensive and requires the heavy use of pesticides and fertilisers. In other words, look for fabrics that provide the lowest carbon footprint and are GOTS certified.
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