Wardrobe Revolution

Sustainable Fashion
Written By Girls Who Impact .

Welcome to "Wardrobe Revolution," where we're about to embark on a whimsical journey through the enchanting realm of sustainable fabrics. Imagine a world where threads tell tales of elegance, style, and a sprinkle of magic. In this delightful adventure, we'll weave through the textures and colors that make sustainable fashion not just a choice but a captivating lifestyle.

In the realm of slow fashion, familiar buzzwords such as organic cotton, reclaimed fabric, linen, and Tencel are frequently encountered. However, it's crucial to delve deeper into the meaning of these terms in the context of sustainable clothing. Does the use of these materials guarantee that a garment is genuinely eco-friendly? Moreover, what fabrics stand out as the most unequivocally sustainable choices? 

 

Here is the Whole List of The Sustainable Fabrics Family

Natural Sustainable Clothing Fabrics (Vegan)

  • Organic Cotton: Produced without synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

  • Recycled Cotton: Made from reclaimed cotton fibers or scraps, reducing waste and resource consumption.

  • Hemp: Grown with minimal water and pesticides, highly durable, and biodegradable.

  • Linen: Derived from the flax plant, environmentally friendly, durable, and breathable.

  • Bamboo Linen: Made from bamboo fibers, known for being soft, breathable, and fast-growing.

  • Cork: Sustainable and renewable, harvested from cork oak trees without harming them.

Recycled Synthetic Sustainable Clothing Fabrics (Vegan)

  • ECONYL: Recycled nylon made from materials like discarded fishing nets and industrial plastic waste.

  • Recycled Polyester: Made from recycled plastic bottles or other polyester materials, reducing reliance on new plastics.

  • Deadstock: Unused fabric left over from production or discontinued items, repurposed to reduce waste.

Sustainable Semi-Synthetic Clothing Fabrics (Mostly Vegan)

  • Lyocell: Produced from wood pulp, known for its softness, breathability, and eco-friendly production process.

  • Modal: Made from beech tree pulp, eco-friendly, soft, and resistant to shrinkage.

  • Bamboo Lyocell: Derived from bamboo pulp, similar to regular lyocell but sourced from bamboo.

  • ECOVERO: A type of viscose/rayon produced from sustainable wood and pulp sources.

  • SCOBY Leather: A leather alternative made from kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).

  • Brewed Protein: Experimental fabric made through biotechnological processes from organic materials.

Potentially-Sustainable Natural Animal Fabrics (Non-Vegan)

  • Sheep Wool, Merino Wool, Alpaca Wool, Cashmere, Camel, Yak Wool: Animal-derived fibers with varying degrees of softness, warmth, and durability.

  • Vegetable Tanned Leather: Leather tanned using natural substances rather than harmful chemicals.

  • Down: Insulating material obtained from bird feathers.

  • Silk: Produced by silkworms, known for its softness and luxurious feel.

Besides the fabrics on the labels, various certifications serve as indicators to discern whether these clothes align with sustainability standards or not:

  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): This program aids global companies in adhering to particular practices deemed eco-friendly and sustainable. Founded in 2002, GOTS aimed to institute a consistent set of guidelines for producing sustainable textiles.

  • Global Recycled Standard (GRS): This program was launched in 2008 and serves as a worldwide product criterion, defining guidelines for third-party authentication of recycled materials, eco-friendly methods, and ethical accountability. It operates as a voluntary certification embraced by businesses dedicated to sustainability.

  • Recycle Claim Standard (RCS): This program is a global organization that traces recycled raw materials throughout the supply chain, utilizing the chain of custody regulations from the Content Claim Standard (CSS).

These certifications empower consumers to support ethical practices, make informed choices aligned with personal values, and encourage industry-wide accountability toward sustainability. These certifications provide transparency, tracing the fabric's journey from sourcing to production, validating claims, and simplifying identification of sustainable options. They act like double insurance or evidence to inform consumers if they are choosing and buying sustainable clothes.

Now, let's ponder: If a fabric is deemed sustainable, does that imply it's flawless and without any drawbacks? We all have the right to doubt that. Therefore, it is time to look at the pros and cons of some of the fabrics. 

 

Organic Cotton

Pros: Organic cotton boasts a soft, stretchy, and breathable feel. It is cultivated without the use of toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds (GMOs). 

Cons: While organic cotton typically consumes less water than conventional cotton during farming, it's important to note that cotton, in general, requires a significant amount of water for cultivation.

  • Hemp

Pros: Hemp stands out for its minimal resource requirements during cultivation and thread production, rendering it a fairly sustainable choice when grown organically. As one of the oldest textiles, it shares a durable and breathable quality similar to linen.

Cons: Certain hemp is manufactured using the viscose method, involving the use of numerous chemicals; such products are typically labeled as "hemp viscose." Additionally, due to its connection to marijuana (no, it won't make you high!), cultivating hemp usually necessitates a special license.

  • Linen

Pros: Linen, derived from the fast-growing flax plant, has eco-friendly credentials—it captures carbon, needs minimal water, and requires no fertilizers or pesticides. Utilizing almost the entire flax plant in linen production results in minimal waste, and linen itself is both biodegradable and robust.

Cons: Checking for organic production is crucial when selecting linen. Linen fibers lack significant stretch, making them prone to wrinkles. Additionally, the ethical production of linen, primarily in Europe, can contribute to its relatively higher cost.

  • ECONYL

Pros: Econyl, crafted from recycled nylon waste, presents a widely embraced substitute for new nylon. This innovative material is upcycled from discarded fishing nets and fabric waste, requiring significantly less water and energy compared to the production of virgin nylon.

Cons:Econyl, being a type of nylon, can release microplastics during washing. To minimize this impact, it's recommended to use a garment bag or limit the frequency of washing.

  • Deadstock

Pros: Fabrics sourced from reclaimed, deadstock, or upcycled materials stand out as highly sustainable options, requiring less energy and resources compared to the production of new fabrics.

Cons: Certain reclaimed fabrics, especially those made from polyester, can release microplastics when washed.

  • Modal

Pros: Modal, a semi-synthetic material, is produced through a chemical process using beech tree wood, requiring significantly less water than crops like cotton during growth. Known for its stretchiness and absorbency, modal proves to be a great alternative for activewear. TENCEL™ Modal, in particular, is crafted from sustainably farmed trees, employing a more energy-efficient and less toxic chemical process.

Cons: Similar to viscose, modal is partially synthetic, and certain modal variations involve harmful chemical processes and the use of untraceable wood.

  • Wool

Pros: Originating from sheep, wool is entirely natural, biodegradable, and a renewable resource. With its temperature-regulating properties, wool keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Durable and produced without causing harm to the sheep, wool stands as a sustainable choice.

Cons: Wool is not suitable for vegans, and it's important to note that not all sheep farming practices are equal. When choosing wool products, seek certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard or the ZQ certification to ensure fair treatment of the animals involved.

 

How to choose sustainable fabrics

A genuinely ethical brand will explicitly communicate its commitment to utilizing the most environmentally-friendly versions of materials. When uncertain, don't hesitate to inquire! Ethical brands are usually eager to respond to emails or direct messages regarding their fabric sourcing practices to ensure ethical production.

Here are some common brands which are easy for us to access for our daily needs: 

  • Girlfriend Collectives: a great option for activewear, bras and underwear, and a selection of outerwear items.

  • Outerknown: excels in offering straightforward clothing essentials like shirts, shorts, sweaters, jeans, and additional apparel items.

  • Nudie Jeans: Nudie Jeans solely utilizes organic, fair trade, or recycled cotton, comprising 93.8% of all the fibers employed in its clothing production.

  • Reformation: renowned for its elegant fashion sense and dedication to sustainability.

  • Patagonia: a well-known brand in the outdoor realm.

Welcome back to 'Wardrobe Revolution,' our delightful journey through sustainable fabrics. Just as these fabrics weave elegance and magic, the true sustainability magic lies in buying less and cherishing more. Choose garments that endure time, creating a fashion story worth telling. Each mindful choice reshapes our fashion narrative and champions sustainability. So, let's spin a wardrobe tale that sings of elegance, conscience, and the enchantment of sustainable fashion.

 
Girls Who Impact .
Previous

How Can Your Next Drink Change the Planet? 
Next

The Rise of Sustainability in Modern Luxury Brands