Sustainable fashion sounds like something of a contradiction given the sheer size of the fast fashion industry. As consumers, we have become accustomed to the concept of instant gratification – and this is clearly observable in the fashion world, with things like next-day delivery, and thanks to the rise of payment services like Klarna, we don’t even need to wait until payday before we go on a shopping spree.
However, with fashion beat only by oil for the title of the most polluting industry, a move towards sustainable fashion has never been more pressing. Everything about fast fashion, from the environmental impact of production to ethical concerns relating to the manufacturing process, is unsustainable and thus detrimental to the planet we live on.
When it comes to curating a sustainable wardrobe, don’t just go ahead and throw out all of your cheap fast-fashion threads – that would be counterintuitive in your pursuit of sustainability. Keep your things and wear them, swap pieces with your friends, or donate them to charity, and when it the time comes for a wardrobe refresh, consider picking something from one of these sustainable fashion brands.
Before you’re put off by the evidently steep price tags, try and think of it from a different angle. Whilst spending upwards of £100 on one item of clothing seems unreasonable, consider how much money you have spent on fast fashion pieces over the last year (or – if you have a particularly severe shopping addiction – the last few months even) only to wear them once before they are relegated to the back of your wardrobe and forgotten about.
With a pair of re-worked classic Levi’s, you know you’re making a worthy investment in a piece of sustainable fashion that not only will last you for years, but they’re never going to go out of style. Denim is eternal.
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Nobody’s Child is the perfect example of why sustainable fashion doesn’t have to cost the earth – and that’s meant in both meanings of the phrase. This London-born brand’s capsule collections make use out of left-over fabrics and materials to save them from a lifetime in a landfill.
Despite the misconceptions surrounding capsule fashion, Nobody’s Child has a great range of items to serve you all year round, whatever you’re getting up to. Their current new lines include lots of pretty summer dresses, which can easily be worn casually or dressed up. If you’re looking for something sustainable for a big night out, they’ve got funky trousers to suit all tastes. Off to a festival this summer? Nobody’s Child has got you covered.
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When it comes to style, everyone knows that if it’s French, it’s automatically fashionable. Founded in 2004 with the aim to create eco-conscious trainers from sustainably sourced fabrics, all created in the heart of Paris.
In recent years, Veja has become a staple brand for high-end fashion bloggers and athleisure enthusiasts alike, and in doing so is helping spread the cause of sustainable fashion, one step at a time.
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Whether it’s by trying our hands at sustainable fashion or putting in the hours at the gym, we’re all on a path of self-betterment. It can be a bit easier to walk (or run) that road when your intentions to shop more sustainably are aligned with your personal fitness goals.
Enter TALA, the gym wear baby of the 22-year-old Instagram fitness influencer, Grace Beverley (aka Gracefit). Grace’s brand reflects her values of transparency and sustainability, right down to the price tags – which are made from plantable paper that will if you nurture it. Though, don’t go thinking this brand is gimmicky: TALA’s activewear is incredibly high-performance and durable, and they’re all made from up-cycled fabrics. So, if you’re looking for a new gym wardrobe to motivate your workout regime, consider swapping your Sports Direct haul for a TALA co-ord.
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Isn’t there some wise proverb that goes something along the lines of, ‘there’s nothing more sustainable than your birthday suit’?
Ok, maybe there isn’t, but there’s some sense in the sentiment. The next best thing can only be a beautiful lingerie set from underwear brand, Lara Intimates, who’s bras and briefs are not only sustainable but hella sexy too. Catering to all shapes and sizes, there is so much about this brand that deserves shouting about. Each piece is made from reclaimed fabrics, and they’re all made here in the UK – so before you’ve even taken the recycled materials into account, Lara Intimates is making a great case for sustainability by forgoing the environmental impact of transportation.
Not that I ever needed a reason to buy myself new underwear.
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