How to look stylish and sustainable: clothing tips

As we wrote in our council this week, the growth of population and its needs is accelerating at a much greater rate than the resources of the Earth are being replenished. Have you ever wondered how many things you buy every year, how many of them you actually wear and how long you use them? Have you ever wondered how many resources were spent on their design, manufacture, transportation, sale, and how much more will be spent on disposal? How many animals have been killed for fashion? Have you ever thought that the full cycle of clothing production uses a lot of toxic materials (17-20% of total industrial pollution): dyes, acids, pesticides for growing cotton, etc., and they all return to nature, which supports our existence ? Beauty is really worth the sacrifice, and very huge ones. The United States alone produces 14.3 million tons of textile waste annually, of which only 2.3 million tons are recycled. And in many parts of the world, people don't have what to wear for their children. And do you know what the whole filling of the pie is? The fact that clothes are not available to them precisely because of the increased demand of more economically developed countries. It is unprofitable for manufacturers and sellers to supply goods to places where demand and cost will be less. Therefore, it turns out an imbalance, and in all spheres of life.

Another factor against the mindless consumption of clothing is the use of low-wage, slave and child labor. It's no secret that now almost all manufacturers open their factories in underdeveloped countries, where human rights are not protected in the same way as in the West. Due to the high technological load, the ecology of these countries has exceeding pollution standards, which leads to many diseases of its inhabitants. More information about the conditions for the production of clothing in China can be found, for example, in this article (English) . The money that the workers of such factories receive is orders of magnitude different from the profits of the sellers.

But is everything so critical and hopelessly lost? In this article, we will share tips on how to do less harm to the Earth's ecology and increase equality among its inhabitants without prejudice to our appearance.

1. Buy clothes made from organic and natural materials

By doing so, you increase the demand for natural materials, thereby incentivizing manufacturers to increase their share of the output. Organic fibers (cotton, bamboo, linen, etc.), grown without pesticides, dyed with safe dyes, are now rarely found everywhere. They are always labeled Organic. Very often, there is absolutely nothing behind such a tag and this is just a marketing ploy. Feel free to ask the seller about the origin of the fabrics, what substances were used (especially if you are allergic or buy clothes for a child), check the information about the manufacturer or learn from friends before buying.

In practice, it is almost impossible to create clothes of completely organic origin, if it is not hand-made at home. Therefore, we do not intend to cultivate illusions. But many companies are trying to switch to sustainable (without harming the environment) development by dedicating some part of the production line for this. sourced for 100% of its textile production from small farmers who use less water and use fewer hazardous pesticides. In the fashion industry, many brands and high-profile designers are also focusing on organic materials and reducing waste in production: Stella McCartney, Lucy Tammam, People Tree, Ciel, Mark Liu, GAP, Edun, Stewart+Brown, H&M Conscious collection, Alabama Chanin (winner 2013 CFDA / Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge ), Kowtow, ZARA, Ajna, Organic fashion, Re-Bello, Wabi Sabi Eco Fashion Concept, Heavy Eco, Elena Garcia, etc. Among domestic manufacturers there are also representatives of the eco-fashion trend, but they not yet so well known, although you can find them if you wish.

2. Buy good quality clothes and wear longer

Often, when making a purchase, we are guided by the choice: it is better to buy more things of poor quality than less of better quality. This principle often plays a cruel joke with us and, as a result, we have to go shopping much faster. This is how we increase the amount of waste, the negative impact of production and transportation, and throw away extra money. Having bought a quality item once, we can forget about stores for a long time. To do this, you also need to psychologically approach this issue, working with the dependence on new purchases.

3. Buy clothes made from recycled materials

We recently wrote about the release of sneakers by Adidas from recycled ocean fishing nets that were illegally left at sea. This model was not released for sale, but to draw public attention to the problem of marine litter , as well as to demonstrate the possibilities of its reuse. But modern manufacturers do use garbage such as plastic bottles, newspapers, old bags, seat belts and more to produce clothing and fashion accessories. Many popular brands have already launched the production of accessories, outerwear, swimwear, shoes, briefcases and other things made from recycled plastic: Patagonia (they have been doing this since 1993), H&M, Nike, Asics, Levi's, Playback, Globe Hope, Bonobos, Melissa, Agogoa, Shudy, Russian brand Re:Trash.

Don't worry that recycled clothes won't last long or affect your health: modern technologies make it possible to create a durable, safe material with minimal production costs. But still, we recommend buying clothes that come into contact with the body, made from natural fibers.

4. Buy clothes from local manufacturers

By supporting local producers , you stimulate the improvement of the regional economy, enable small businesses to grow, reduce emissions from transportation, and always be able to claim product quality locally.

5. Don't buy clothing made from animal materials

"Please don't put me on." PETA

Very often, people who adhere to a vegan and ecological lifestyle face a dilemma: to buy clothes or accessories made from natural leather or fur, or from synthetic materials, the production and disposal of which also harms the environment. Everyone has the right to determine their own priorities. But our advice: do not purchase leather and fur products. Animals go through terrible agony (if you are interested in this issue, you can find a lot of materials) so that people can buy a comfortable or beautiful thing (often it is not at all practicality). Modern developments proven by many brands and designers, as well as the use of recycled materials, allow you to create high-quality and stylish substitutes for leather and fur without compromising on appearance and practical indicators (durability, heat retention, etc.). Well-known manufacturers include: Stella MacCartney, Adidas, Tom Bihn, Urban Expressions, English Retreads, Crocs, Matt&Nat and many other mass-market brands. PETA website .

Among domestic manufacturers of ethical fur coats, Eco Fashion and Only Me .

We also do not recommend buying silk products, since silkworms die during its production (to unwind the cocoon, it is kept for 2-2.5 hours at a temperature of about 100 ° C, which kills the caterpillar). In India, an alternative silk has been developed - Eri silk, which is made only when the butterfly leaves the cocoon.

6. Don't buy a lot of new things

Even if you enthusiastically completed the previous points, this still does not save the situation. To grow cotton, tons of water are spent, especially in those dry areas where it is not available and water has to be delivered there technically, while nearby people are dying of thirst. Water is also required for the washing process when the fiber is converted into yarn. Next comes the process of dyeing the fabric, where in most cases the chemical composition of the paint is used (so that it does not wash off during further operation), which pollutes sewage and river waters. The result - you bought a thing that you wore three times, and the effect of this will last for many decades. The 70 chemical elements that make up clothing dyes cannot be removed from the water and remain there forever, causing great damage to the ecosystem. The solution is to minimize your trips to stores, buy only the most necessary things, give up impulsive (imposed by marketing) purchases.

7. Update your old clothes with new embellishments or cuts

How to become the owner of a completely exclusive item? Of course, do it yourself! Firstly, this is a very interesting process that reveals your hidden talents and capabilities. Secondly, this is a truly conscious and environmentally friendly step. You can update old things not only from your wardrobe, but also from your mother's or grandmother's, which automatically increases the value of a new product. A new sundress from an old skirt, a super stylish jacket from a dilapidated jacket, exclusive decoration and tailoring - the possibilities are endless! Here are some photo examples for inspiration:

8. Buy second hand items or trade with others

Many fashionistas - owners of exclusive gizmos - buy them at various flea markets and second-hand stores. If you do not have psychological restrictions about second-hand clothes, feel free to go looking. This will save your budget and create many environmental benefits. There are also Internet portals for exchanging things - for example, the all-Russian " I am changing. RF " and the all-Ukrainian " Plyushkin ". It is also fashionable to exchange different toilet items at dress-crossing events and fairs called free markets.

9. Recycle, give away, use as household items

As we said above, many modern manufacturers are switching to recycling technologies for the manufacture of clothing, shoes and accessories. Unfortunately, the process of processing textiles (as well as other waste) has not yet been established in the territory of the post-Soviet space. Therefore, people with environmental aspirations can only be wished for enthusiasm and patience in their good intentions. In order to dispose of old things in an environmentally friendly way, you need to independently look for points where you can give them away. Many European clothing brands (for example, Marks & Spencer, H&M, etc.) hold promotions for exchanging old clothes for coupons or discounts for new ones. They send used textiles for recycling, and then use them for their eco-collections (see above). Follow promotions and offers.

In addition, you can donate your unwanted items to charitable foundations, the Red Cross, orphanages, help centers for refugees or the needy, second-hand shops, as well as collection points that exist in some cities: for example, the Dump project in Moscow , containers "Thank you" in St. Petersburg, charity shop "Laska" in Kiev.

The fulfillment of at least one of these conditions will significantly increase your contribution to the development of environmental protection and improvement of the economic situation in the world. Think broader, show imagination, think about the future and the state of your Planet, and everything can turn out to be much simpler. Cultivate kindness and inner beauty, and then you won’t have to work on your image - it will work for you! 🙂

May all living beings be happy! 🙂

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