Have you ever considered green fashion? We’re used to hearing about how we can contribute towards a greener world by cutting down on our energy usage in the home, taking the bike to work and choosing local produce where possible but there are other ways to make the world a better place and it just might start in your closet. New energy providers are taking on the larger utility companies to give us cheaper deals, and a variety of green energy plans allow us to choose whether we want our electricity sourced wholly or partially from renewable sources, while supermarkets are increasingly embracing organic products and workplaces continue to set up schemes to motivate employees out of their cars.
But what about when it comes to fashion? We women love our fashion. Believe me, when I was a vegetarian for those 10 years, I was sad by my lack of cute shoes available to me that were animal friendly.This is an arena in which we are less used to hearing the benefits of going green. Yet there are some very real concerns when it comes to sustainability and eco-credentials in the fashion world. From the pesticides used in growing the raw materials to the chemicals used in manufacturing our garments, fashion is not always as natural and ethically conscious as we might be led to believe. There is a reason that they say you should wash all of the clothes you buy before wearing them. The chemicals that some clothing is treated with can cause very real skin reactions. Then there are the livelihoods of the individuals producing our clothes to consider and the wider communities and environments in which they live. We take a look at the top green fashion trends which are starting to change the status quo.
Green Fashion is Becoming Mainstream
Environmentally conscious fashion is no longer the preserve of niche designers and hippie outlets. As designers become more aware of the power of going green and build ecological principles into their brand image, eco-credentials are becoming the norm. From sourcing materials locally to committing to zero waste, a growing number of designers are taking steps to combine the worlds of high end fashion and sustainability.
Green Fashion brings with it a Transparent Supply Chain
It used to be that consumers had no idea where their clothes came from, other than the country, or in what conditions they were produced. But in recent years there have been a spate of protests surrounding foreign factories and working conditions, not to mention shocking findings about carbon dioxide emissions, water pollution and waste disposal. The result? A growing number of consumers are swapping cheap products bought with a blind eye to their environmental cost to ethically produced garments that come with a clear supply chain. It is now far easier for consumers to find information on all aspects of clothing manufacture and many are choosing to do their research first.
Designers are Innovating
Along with the quest for environmentally-friendly raw materials and manufacturing processes is a desire to innovate and excel in design. This applies as much today, if not more, as it ever has. Technological wizardry when it comes to fabric manufacture doesn’t have to come at the expense of green credentials, however. On the contrary, it often goes hand in hand – for example, in the quest for carbon-neutral thread or high-yield organic cotton production.
Green Fashion is Upcycling at it’s Finest
Upcycling has been a buzzword for some years now and it shows no signs of dissipating. Mainstream designers are latching on to our desire to re-use, repurpose and recycle with increasing awareness. Expect vintage gowns, shabby chic and pre-loved fabrics, but with less grunge and more edge. All this goes alongside a desire to rediscover traditional crafts and skills, with the use of traditional crafting machinery like a Floor Loom. Myself, I have always loved vintage clothing. Aside from the fact that it is better for the environment to reuse materials, there is something really cool about wearing clothing that has a story to tell.
What are your thoughts on the Green Fashion Movement?
This is a sponsored post on Green Fashion but all opinions are my own.