Sustainable fashion is no longer a buzzword; it has become the much-needed change to make this world environmentally and socially sustainable. However, the sustainability narrative in fashion needs a piece, a significant one of which is inclusivity. To be sustainable, fashion must include all body types and cover the full spectrum of sizes; everyone deserves to be a part of this eco-conscious movement. In this article, I delve into how the two meet. From exploring sustainable and conscious eco-fashion to inclusivity that aligns with sustainability and diversity, intersectionality is more vital today!
What We Talk about When We Talk About Sustainable Fashion
In short, sustainable fashion means that clothing is produced and used efficiently using environmentally sound methods. Eco-friendly means promoting sustainable materials, ethical production practices, and reducing waste throughout a product. The positives of sustainable fashion go beyond saving the planet: it also supports fair trade and workers’ rights.
Eco-friendly Fabrics
The main priority of creating sustainable fashion is using fabrics that are less harmful to the environment. For example, organic cotton is grown without dangerous pesticides and uses less water than conventionally farmed cotton. Other sustainable fabrics, including bamboo and Tencel (made from wood pulp), are popular due to their biodegradable properties and environmentally friendly construction.
That Ethical thing
Most (but not all) sustainable fashion brands care enough about the environment and other people to make them concerned about how their clothes are produced. Such crossed hearts will promise that the folks who made your shirt earn a living wage and work in safe conditions. That’s why an ethical practice from this fashion business can be used to fight exploitation in the fast-fashion industry.
The Case for Inclusive Fashion
The fashion industry has been accused of failing to be more inclusive for years. So why do we still have however many brands and fashion companies only targeting a tiny (and depleting) range of body types which leaves those outside that standard feeling perpetually excluded as sh*t? Offering a range of sizes, styles, and designs that complement all types of bodies helps everyone to look good in their clothing while achieving confidence.
Issues in Conventional Fashion
People with body types other than those of the white-bread mainstream are often manipulated into believing they need to lose or gain weight. This is further problematic when many sustainable fashion brands are also guilty of using conventions of the same size as mainstream ones.
Dealing with the Issues—Inclusive, sustainable fashion acknowledges that sustainability is about the environment and creating a fair fashion industry. This includes expanding size ranges and designing clothes to fit comfortably on different body shapes.
Types of body shapes
Organic cotton is widely used in everyday wear because of its softness and breathability. It is also perfect for people with allergies. It comes in various weights and textures to suit different preferences.
Bamboo Fabric—Bamboo is a sustainable plant that grows fast without pesticides. Move over, bamboo fabric. Bamboo is a soft and highly absorbent material with natural antibacterial properties. It is particularly suitable for inclusive fashion through its stretchability, which ensures a comfortable fit in many different body shapes.
Tencel (Lyocell)
Derived from wood pulp, Tencel is a multifaceted fabric that degrades in landfills and is manufactured through an environmentally friendly “closed-loop process,” utilizing fewer solvents. It is considered breathable and a soft material ideal for all body types.
Recycled Materials
Sustainable Brands are using recycled materials for sustainable offerings to make this an eco-friendly sweater. For example, they create fabric from post-industrial and consumer-use plastics source mapping, such as 100% Recycled PET Polyester. Cristina Mihalus is a fashion-designing powerhouse who creates trendy, long-lasting apparel for every size and shape.
Sustainable And Inclusive Brands
Eileen Fisher: A pioneer of the sustainability movement, Eileen Fisher prides itself on being a brand for all bodies. It uses organic and recycled materials and offers ethical production practices.
UNIVERSAL STANDARD is well-known for being inclusive and offers one of the most extensive size ranges in fashion, spanning sizes 00-40. Universal Standard also makes conscientious choices around sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing.
Girlfriend Collective
We love this activewear brand’s use of recycled materials (like old plastic bottles and fishing nets). Girlfriend Collective Girlfriend is for all women, with its extended size range and variety of styles designed to fit every body shape.
Mara Hoffman: Organic cotton is endlessly shipped deep into hemp and other materials for the sustainably minded Marla Hoffer. The brand uses various sizes that signify suitable ethical methods.
How to Create a Sustainable and Fair Wardrobe
This is why it can be challenging to create a sustainable and inclusive wardrobe;
Go for Quality, not Quantity: Spend on quality items with almost everything. This eliminates unnecessary waste and ensures that your closet works for you in terms of fitting, given that it is specific to your body type, not just what’s generic off the rack.
Seek Size-Inclusive Brands: Shop at brands that carry a variety of sizes and pieces designed for different body shapes. These sorts of brands usually have a more varied attitude to fashion, ensuring that the right look and fit can be found for everyone.
Eco-friendly Materials: Choose fabrics made using eco-conscious materials like organic cotton, bamboo, Tencel, and recycled materials. These fabrics are more friendly to our environment and offer comfort and durability.
Take Care of Your Clothes
With proper maintenance, your clothes can last you a lifetime. Wash with care, only wash sometimes, and repair what can be repaired instead of throwing away.
We, as consumers, have a heavy influence on fashion. More businesses will adopt eco-friendly and ethical processes by supporting sustainably inclusive brands.
Support Sustainable Brands
Support brands that continuously emphasize sustainability and inclusivity. By helping those businesses, your spending habits could encourage more clothiers to make that shift for aesthetics with a conscience.
Shop Mindfully
Resist impulse or unnecessary purchases by making sure everything you buy is something that fills a need (i.e., run out of toothpaste). Think before you buy and try to be conscious of the environment or society.
Educate: Talk to your friends and family about the importance of sustainable, inclusive fashion. Encourage most people to have fashion-related eco-friendliness and inclusiveness.
Conclusion
Sustainable fashion is not just about conserving the environment; it focuses on ensuring everyone engages with brands more equitably and affordably daily. Imagine a fashion future where we opt for eco-friendly materials, endorse ethical production practices, and give the mic to anyone on social media who wants it. Sustainable fashion that supports all shapes and sizes helps create a healthier planet for everyone.
