What in the world is sustainability and sustainable fashion?!

If you are reading this, you have surely heard the word “sustainability” umpteen times already, whether it was in relation to fashion, food, buildings or any form of lifestyle. There is also a high chance that you now think of it as merely a marketing gimmick or buzz word!

Allow me to redeem this post’s reputation and let you know that this is not just another blog post selling you something in the name of being eco-friendly or anything to that effect. Rather, this is an attempt to really clarify what sustainability actually is, and why it is the latest buzz- especially in the world of fashion.

First things first, some facts

We all know and have been witnessing the deteriorating climate changes over the past decades, so I would save everyone the trauma of taking you through it- but did you know that 35% of the oceanic micro-plastics was actually a contribution of the Yoga Pants you are wearing while reading this!

And if you have read this fact for the first time, you are answerable to Hassan Minhaj himself!

In one of the episodes of “The Patriot Act”, named the Ugly Truth of Fast Fashion, he talks about how the fast fashion has become one of the leading contributors to climate change and environmental pollution

Not just that, the biggest names in the industry are now brainwashing customers into believing that their practices are actually “green”- a concept popularly called “Greenwashing”

I won’t bore you with more details but here is what you should know

1. The yearly GHG emissions from the textile industry is larger than all flights and shipping combined!

2. The consumption of clothes has increased by 4x in the last two decades alone

3. 80% of global apparel labourers are women with extremely low wages

By this time, you must be thinking- “okay, but what CAN I do about it”? Firstly, change into your organic cotton pyjamas and grab your popcorns as I tell you that...

Enter The Three Pillars of Sustainability

Sustainability is simply the act of utilising the current resources without jeopardising future developments. It has three key pillars

1. Environment

2. Economic

3. Social

In the fashion world it simply means the following (among other things)

1. Environmental: Using eco-friendly raw material for clothes

2. Economic: Consuming less to save our resources, thrift and borrowing more

3. Social: Paying the right wages to apparel workers

It’s as simple as that! With that, you have the first lesson in sustainable fashion. Keep watching this space to know ways to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and if you have questions, don’t forget to comment or write to us.