Sustainable Fashion is the Future

Thrifting is a thing, it’s a verb and you need to try it if you haven’t already! It’s not only good for your wardrobe it’s ethical & essential for the environment.

Clothing is a staple in all of our lives. Spicing up our closets every once in a while with trendy, new pieces is something most of us do without thinking about it twice. All is good and well until we think about where our outfits are made, who makes them, and their impact on the environment. A cheap shirt from a fast-fashion brand sounds great in theory, but how can something that takes so long to make be so cheap? One overall dress takes about two hours to make.

Now imagine how many of those are hung in the racks of your favourite store. How much can the people making them possibly be paid when prices are so low? FastCompany reports that an average garment worker in Bangladesh makes 33 U.S. cents an hour, and works up to 60 hours a week. Many struggle to pay their bills as this is not enough to sustain them or their families.

Fashion is an industry that is constantly changing. Every season seems to bring new trends, and fast fashion companies make sure to stock up on them. But what happens to all the old, unfashionable garments? Part of Montreal style is BIG on sustainable fashion.

Sustainable fashion is intimating, but it is actually not hard at all to change some of your fashion habits. We’ve compiled a list of places to shop and people to take inspiration from to help you start making more sustainable fashion choices! Start ditching your local mall and hit up your local thrift stores!

1. Thrift Stores 

Value Village and Salvation Army are great places to start your journey of ethical clothing. Reusing clothes instead of throwing them away and not buying new ones, is THE way to help the environment. By doing so you’re not supporting fast fashion companies but supporting sustainable fashion. Second-hand stores are also pretty cheap. Why not update your wardrobe with some vintage pieces? You may even be eligible for store credit when you give away some clothes.

Help your wallet and the environment by staying away from fast fashion! Opt instead, for thrifting. You can even do it with your friends and make a fun activity out of it. Let’s all thrift our way into a brighter future!

2. Digital Thrifting

Can’t get enough of online shopping? Don’t feel like going to different stores and browsing through isles of clothes? Depop, Poshmark and Ebay have got you covered! All of these sites allow users to buy and sell clothing online. It is a great alternative to thrifting in person. Not only do you spare yourself the time of driving to a store, but you also get to do it from the comfort of your own home! So what are you waiting for? Create your free account and start benefiting from some great deals!

3. Resourceful, reasonable and realistic

You do not need to get rid of your clothes or buy a completely new wardrobe every time trends change. A few amazing tips by HarpersBazaar go a long way in helping buyers make better choices. Ask yourself how many times you will be wearing that sparkly gold shirt? If it is less than thirty, it is probably not worth it.

Focus on purchasing well-made closet staples. Alterations can be made later on. Clothing that is classy and basic will never go out of style. Consider plain white shirts, a pair of jeans or a little black dress. These timeless pieces have been fashionable for over a century!

Still want to change up your closet and make it more eye-catching? Take a sewing class. You will learn how to repair, mend, and much more. Some online classes to consider are by NationalSewingCircle, the University of Fashion, and Udemy. Be your own tailor and stop contributing to unethical fashion companies!

4. Get inspired

Our instagram feeds are constantly filled with celebrities promoting the newest and chicest fast fashion brands. It can sometimes be extremely tempting to give in to the endless pressure! How can you protect yourself from making impulse buys? You can start by doing yourself a favour, and following some great accounts that support sustainable fashion.

@ladysoswag creates gorgeous outfits! They are not only gorgeous but also sustainable. She is a really useful page to follow if you want to start making use of thrifted pieces and other garments already in your possession. Another great account promoting sustainable fashion is @carytauben.

There are endless Instagram accounts to give you ideas on how to style your thrifted pieces! Find the ones that are right for you and you are guaranteed to be happy in your new lifestyle! 

At the end of the day, no one is perfect. Nobody is expecting you to wake up one day and completely change your lifestyle. It is okay to treat yourself once in a while! If you are absolutely in love with a clothing item, buy it! The important thing is to not make a habit of constantly spending money on pointless pieces of clothing, made by people in horrible conditions.

Until the fashion industry changes it’s ways and takes the well-being of their workers more seriously, we must avoid giving them our hard-earned money. Help create a better future for the planet and its inhabitants! It is more rewarding to invest in pieces with a history rather than buying them randomly. Being knowledgeable and sustainable does not only look good, it feels good too!

Enjoyed the article? Check out what some fashion brands like Kuwalla Tee are doing to save the local fashion industry!