Do you have a section in your closet for clothes that you no longer wear, that you will eventually need again, and that you only wore twice because you didn't like them when you got home from the store? Admit it, many of us are like that. In our article, we will show you how you can do your part to shape sustainable fashion. You will see that you don't even have to think about big things!
Let's start at the beginning: why is sustainable fashion important at all?
In recent years, we have been hearing more and more about concrete measures, steps that can be taken at an individual level, for the sake of sustainable fashion. Last year, the European Commission developed a full action plan to
Few people know that the textile industry is one of the most damaging industries for our planet. The production of clothes requires an incredible amount of water – and we know that we should be especially careful about our finite supply of drinking water.
The impact of textile production and textile waste on the environment
Let's look at some more facts about why supporting sustainable fashion is so important.
• 3/5 of all clothes produced end up in landfills within a year
• … however, the synthetic materials they contain do not decompose
• The clothing industry will produce 148 million tons of waste by 2030
• nearly 2,000 different chemicals are used in the production of clothes (just think back to our previous article where we wrote about toxic fragrances )
• a small but important step that 12.5% of the global textile industry has committed to taking steps towards sustainable fashion
On the other hand, there are many scary stories about the exploitative workings of the textile industry: child labor, starvation wages, and terrible conditions characterize the textile industry in less fortunate countries. A significant part of the clothes you buy at a strikingly cheap price probably come from China (check the Made in China label on your clothes). However, this year, China's Nankai University published a study detailing the full-scale exploitation of Uyghur forced laborers in Chinese textile factories.
There is no question that the pursuit of sustainable fashion is important for our planet and our fellow human beings. Take the first steps towards it, and we have brought you some tips from Eszter Mengyán, founder of the HolyDuck blog .
Eszter dedicated her entire blog to sustainable fashion and eco-style, and now has 15,000 followers. Take advantage of the great tips from the HolyDuck blog!
Tips to get you started on the path to sustainable fashion
Switching from fast fashion to sustainable fashion can seem like a daunting task at first. But with a little awareness and a few simple tricks, you can make a big difference in your sustainability journey. Here are some tips:
Shop from your closet!
The most basic step in sustainable fashion is to wear clothes that you already have in your closet. Don't get discouraged right away because "you don't have a single piece," if you take a closer look at the selection, you're sure to find some super forgotten pieces among them!
Not to mention, you can create almost endless combinations from basic pieces – that's what capsule wardrobes are all about. Do some research, get inspired by Pinterest, and put together your own capsule wardrobe!
Change it!
It's a real win-win solution in the world of sustainable fashion if you get involved in a clothes swap. Not only can you find new treasures, but you can also get rid of your own unused items that are just taking up space in your closet. Plus, all this in the context of a great social program where you can meet new people or spend quality time with your friend, partner, or whoever is with you.
A simple Google search will find dozens of options for clothing swap programs, just choose a location and time near you, and go!
Update your wardrobe!
Not by buying new fast fashion pieces, but by embellishing your existing, boring pieces. You can paint them, embroider them, sew patterned patches on them, replace their buttons – anything that will make your clothes feel prettier, better, newer.
For winter clothes, a great trick is to de-pillow (with a de-piller or razor), this will really make you feel like you have a brand new sweater in your hands in minutes!
A seamstress can do wonders
If you have an affinity for sewing, you're in luck, but if you're not so skilled, it's worth visiting a seamstress. With a little redesign and sewing, you can give new life to your old clothes, and you can also completely shape them to your own style and shape. And you've already done a lot for sustainable fashion.
Buy second-hand!
Does the recommendation of the most famous second-hand clothing chains ring in your ears right away? You have many more options than that: garage sales, online groups, Facebook Marketplace, websites specifically designed for this purpose. In addition, browsing second-hand stores has the extra sense of achievement when you come across a treasure at a good price – it's a great feeling!
Buy from domestic brands!
We left it for last, but supporting local small businesses is also very important for the development of sustainable fashion! With clothes from local designers, you can be sure that your outfit won't be seen on every corner - as would be the case with most fast fashion stores. It can be a real relief after so many identical store windows!
It's not that difficult to start on the path to sustainable fashion, is it? If you want more tips, Eszter's new book, Hello, slow fashion , has been published, and you'll find lots of useful information in it too.
The CYCLE product line, developed and manufactured in Hungary, is also made with sustainability in mind. With cleaning products made from completely natural ingredients, you can clean every corner of your home without having to worry about toxic chemicals, and by using them, you can also contribute to reducing plastic use and carbon dioxide emissions.
