April 5th, 2020

Pollution, climate change, and global warming are some of the biggest global crises in the world at the moment, and the production of clothing has a lot to do with it. With all eyes on the myriad of fast fashion outlets, a dialogue has opened up about promoting sustainability in the production and consumption of clothing. 

Sustainability is the need of the hour, and as a result, has emerged to become one of the most critical aspects of the modern fashion industry. With that in mind, let us dive into some easy ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable, and help protect the Earth. 

What is the meaning of sustainable fashion?

The term sustainable fashion typically refers to apparel which is designed, produced, distributed, and utilised in strictly environmentally friendly means. The concept thus, consists of two parts. 

The first part entails the production process of clothes, footwear, and accessories in eco friendly ways. The second parts deals with the aspect of consumption, by promoting sustainable patterns of fashion consumption.

Why is sustainable fashion important?

There are several factors that determine the importance of sustainable fashion. While it is obviously an eco friendlier option, it has steadily emerged to also become synonymous with high quality. 

A fundamental aspect of sustainable fashion is the use of organic, and superior fabric. Eco friendly and organic fabrics tend to come in softer, sturdier, and long lasting forms. Formal dresses made from fabric such as silk or organic cotton last a lot longer than those made from polyester.  

Such factors ensure you wear superior products that last for a long time, eliminating the need of constantly buying new clothes.

10 easy sustainable fashion tips to follow

01. Check the labels carefully when shopping

Reading the care and composition label is a surefire way of knowing what exactly your garment comprises of, and what’s gone into producing it. 

By reading the label, you can make a more informed choice on what clothes you wear, and whether or not they are causing any harm to the environment. 

02. Try to purchase items for the long run

With the advent of fast fashion that changes every season, consumers are more inclined to buy clothes for a short amount of time. However, this is unsustainable and causes a lot of harm to the environment. 

By choosing pieces made out of high quality fabric that is meant to last for a long time, you not only wear a superior product but help the environment in doing so. Invest in top quality and statement fabrics, such as velvet dresses, which can be used for a long time. 

03. Vigorously inspect the quality of garments you wish to buy

The previous tip brings us to the quality of garments. As we stated earlier, sustainable fashion is vital because it also promotes the use of superior fabrics. 

The issue with fast fashion is the use of cheap fabric in the manufacturing stage. Major fast fashion brands also capitalise on this since consumers flock back to their stores to buy new garments when the old ones get damaged. 

Inspecting the quality ensures that only eco friendly fabrics were used in the making of the garment, ensuring a more sustainable and durable product. It helps particularly when you are looking for specific garments, like ladies summer dresses or black party dresses. 

04. Avoid tossing your old clothes away 

If you happen to have some old clothes, do not throw it away. Try to either donate them or resell them in local and online marketplaces. Throwing old clothes away will result in those pieces sitting in a landfill for several years, with no assurance of decomposition.

In certain situations, the high quality fabric can also be recycled to be used for other garments. You can make use of any local upcycling or textile recycling facilities in your city for such instances. One such example is upcycling organic cotton dresses or a silk designer casual dress. 

05. Don’t wash your clothes too often and avoid using the dryer 

We’ve already covered the impact that the production and consumption of fashion has on the environment. Even basic laundry accounts for over 60% of a garment’s impact on the environment. 

Instead of throwing your clothes in the laundry basket after every single use, try to wash them after a couple of wears. You can also dry your clothes naturally, as opposed to using tumble dryers, to further save energy. 

06. Always opt for quality over quantity

It’s true that purchasing high quality pieces will cost more, but we’re looking at value here. If you consider an item of clothing as an investment, you would prefer buying a high quality piece that is guaranteed to last for a long time. 

Consider every purchase you make to be like that of buying cocktail dresses for weddings. When you put that level of investment in any garment, whether it’s a mini dress or a summer dress, you will naturally opt for quality. 

07. Put a refreshing spin on what you own

To fight the urge of shopping for more clothes, rediscover what you already own by putting a fresh spin on it. Whether this entails an alteration, adding embroidery, or distressing the piece, it will give you a fresh look without hurting your wallet, or the environment. 

Experiment with clothes you already have, like turning your long flowy dresses into cocktail dresses or evening gowns.

08. Take better care of your clothes

While it goes without saying that taking proper care of your clothes will ensure their longevity and keep you from buying more, it is still a gentle reminder. There are various methods of taking better care of your clothes. 

From carefully following the care label for your garments, to folding your sweaters as opposed to hanging them, the Internet is filled with fashion care tips. 

09. Try to avoid microfibers

This one is a lot easier said than done. Microfibers, such as polyester and nylon, are everywhere, especially in fast fashion outlets. Such fabrics tend to cause more harm to the environment by polluting the oceans. 

Opt for high quality alternatives, such as organic cotton and linen, which may be slightly expensive, without the chance of polluting the environment. Whether you are looking for a bodycon dress, a floral dress, or a shirt dress, ensure it is made out of high quality fabric instead of microfibers. 

10. Choose your brands wisely

Try to research what brands are regarded as being sustainable. Check their garments to ensure only eco friendly and high quality fabrics are being used. You can also get in touch with the brand in case you have any questions about their design and production process. 

We have put a lot of thought into our entire process, from designing the products, to manufacturing them, to how our consumers utilise them. With a special consideration towards hand made ready to wear garments that are made from organic, high quality fabric, we aim to promote sustainable fashion to all our consumers. 

At NUDRESS, you only get your hands on superior apparel that is cut from organic fabric and aimed towards a greener future. 

Start your journey into sustainable fashion at NUDRESS™

Written by MJ.