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Sustainable Clothing: Discover Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands

by Bibiana May 15, 2024

written by Bibiana

In a world filled with fast fashion, the significance of sustainable clothing has never been more crucial. Beyond being a trend, it’s also a conscious choice that resonates with ethical production values, environmental preservation, and lasting style. As a result, sustainable clothing ensures that every garment tells a story of responsible craftsmanship, from sourcing materials to the final stitch. We’re thrilled to unveil a curated collection of sustainable clothing brands that embrace fashion-forward designs and embody a commitment to a greener as well as more ethical future. Join us on this journey as we explore the intersection of style and sustainability, celebrating brands that positively impact both the runway and the planet.

The Fast Fashion Frenzy

The rise of fast fashion, characterized by its ‘buy more, buy now’ mentality, has cast a shadow over shopping habits. As a result, fashion has turned into a frantic race to acquire the latest ‘must-have’ clothing and accessories. What’s more, buying more clothes is often driven by the desire for one-time party outfits or novelty sweaters.

But this frenzy is not without consequences. The fast fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental issues, generating an alarming amount of waste. Just plastic packaging alone creates a staggering 114,000 tonnes of waste annually, which is, by all means, a substantial burden on our planet’s health.

Moreover, the buy-and-return culture that fast fashion promotes contributes to the problem. Every year, a staggering 101 million tonnes of waste end up in landfills due to this unsustainable practice. The appeal of cheap, mass-produced clothing has led to an over-consumption of items that we often don’t truly need.

It’s evident that the current approach is unsustainable, and not even 1% of clothing is recycled to create new pieces. Fortunately, forward-thinking brands are emerging with solutions to address these challenges. They are exploring up-cycling as a means to reduce waste and ensure durability, leading to a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

A Switch to Sustainable Clothing

Amidst the shopping chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges: sustainable clothing. Sustainable clothing isn’t just about using organic materials; it’s a holistic approach that considers the entire life cycle of clothing. Basically, it’s about responsible sourcing, ethical labour, and reducing waste. Suppose you’re new to the concept of sustainable clothing. In that case, you can check out this informative YouTube video that provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and benefits of eco-conscious fashion:

The Benefits of Sustainable Clothing

Eco-friendly

Sustainable clothing is designed to minimize its environmental impact. It actively prevents unsustainable farming practices by focusing on innovative materials with a smaller ecological footprint. These garments are made to last, reducing the cycle of disposable fashion that contributes to clothing waste. Choose sustainable options and make a powerful statement about your commitment to protecting our planet.

Ethical Labor

Brands that wholeheartedly embrace sustainability further prioritize fair labour practices. Ensuring respectful treatment and fair compensation for people involved in the production process is crucial. This commitment benefits the workers and adds an ethical layer to your garments.

Innovative Materials

Sustainable clothing incorporates innovative materials like wood-based fibres, bamboo, linen, hemp, and recycled materials. These materials offer a unique as well as stylish look and have a smaller ecological footprint. You’re taking a step towards a more sustainable fashion industry by choosing these materials for your clothing. If you want to learn more about sustainable materials, Sustainable Jungle has prepared a list of the 31 most sustainable clothing materials.

Local Production

Sustainable clothing often involves localized production. This practice significantly cuts down the carbon footprint associated with global shipping. By supporting brands that prioritize local production, you’re contributing to a more eco-conscious and sustainable fashion industry.

Recycling is Essential

Only a quarter of fabric waste in the EU is gathered by NGOs or other businesses with the sole aim of recycling and reusing. This underscores the importance of recycling in the fashion industry. Thus, by opting for sustainable clothing, you’re directly supporting a more circular fashion economy where recycling plays a pivotal role.

The low recycling rate of just 20% for all waste demands action. Embracing sustainable clothing is not just a fashion statement; it’s a step toward a more responsible and environmentally friendly approach to dressing.

Green Shirts: Meet The Change You Can Wear

Now, let’s introduce you to Green-Shirts, a brand leading the way in sustainable fashion and changing how we think about our wardrobe choices. Green-Shirts offers a refreshing take on fashion that aligns with a more eco-conscious mindset. In addition, their website is available in English and German, making it convenient for a diverse audience. With options for women, men, and unisex styles, they cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

What sets Green-Shirts apart is their commitment to innovative and eco-friendly materials. They utilize hemp, a carbon-negative material that actually helps reduce greenhouse gases, and linen, which requires minimal fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Additionally, their use of bamboo is noteworthy, as it renews quickly and actively consumes CO2, making it a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.

If Green Shirts sounds appealing, you can access it here.

Botties: Empowering DIY Fashion

Botties revolutionize the sustainable clothing sector by empowering consumers to take control of their fashion footprint. As pioneers in DIY fashion, Botties offers starter kits that equip individuals to craft and repair their shoes, promoting a culture of skill development and upcycling. Even so, Botties doesn’t stop there. With their more advanced sets, they further encourage customers to delve deeper into the art of sustainable fashion, fostering a community of eco-conscious creators as well. Take a look at one of their starter kits on this link.

Muso Koroni: A Vegan Concept Store with a Conscience

Muso Koroni stands at the forefront of ethical and vegan fashion with its 100% cruelty-free product range. This innovative concept store goes beyond mere commerce, embodying a philosophy of quality over quantity. Committed to sourcing from companies dedicated to vegan production, Muso Koroni curates a collection that specifically caters to the vegan market. Taking their dedication a step further, the brand adopts a range of eco-friendly practices, such as paperless invoicing and meticulous packaging recycling. Even their web server is powered by regenerative energy, further exemplifying Muso Koroni’s holistic commitment to a sustainable and compassionate future for fashion. If Muso Koroni sounds like the right brand for you, look at their comfortable sweaters and stylish windbreakers.

Practical Tips for Your Sustainable Clothing

Remember that 80% of the CO2 footprint of any item occurs post-purchase.

Did you know that most of a washing machine’s energy goes into water heating? As you embrace sustainable clothing, consider small changes, like washing your clothes at a colder temperature. This simple switch can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

95% of the clothes we throw away can be reused. By embracing sustainable clothing, you’re also contributing to a more sustainable future. Let’s truly ‘wear the change’ and show our love for both style and the planet.

Spread Love, Not Waste

Fast fashion might be tempting, but it comes at a significant environmental cost, resulting in unnecessary garments that often end up as waste. Instead, let’s shift our perspective and think about what already exists—reusing and buying smarter.

From a consumer perspective, sustainable clothing is about introducing little changes, not necessarily striving for perfection. It’s an opportunity to make eco-friendly choices without sacrificing style and quality. Exciting brands are pioneering this sustainable fashion revolution, making it easier for you to choose eco-friendly options.

a young man wearing a white shirt on a greenery background

Hi, I’m Pablo Diez de Baldeon, a sustainability enthusiast from Spain. On my home island of Gran Canaria, I grew up in close contact with nature and the outdoors in the coast and the mountains. I’ve always been drawn to sustainability, it inspired me to pursue studies in this area to have a positive impact!

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May 15, 2024 0 comment

The table is surrounded by various DIY fashion supplies, including a sewing machine, sewing kits, fabrics, thread spools, scissors, and pins.

Sustainable Products With Yourself

DIY Fashion is in! How to start a Sustainable Closet

by Lola April 6, 2023

written by Lola

DIY fashion has gained popularity in recent years as people have become more aware of the environmental impact of their choices, making sustainable fashion a hot topic. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, with 92 million tons of textile waste generated each year. The fast fashion industry, in particular, is known for producing cheap, disposable clothing that is designed to be worn for a short time and then discarded.

Fast fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere is paying.
Lucy Siegle, British Journalist

As a woman, and especially in my teen years, I grew tired of constantly feeling the pressure to keep up with the latest fashion trends. It seemed like every season, there was a new must-have item that I just had to have. But as I learned more about the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and the people who make our clothes, I knew I needed to make a change.

A Better Alternative: DIY Fashion

Are you also tired of the constant pressure to keep up with the latest fashion trends, only to find yourself with a closet full of clothes you hardly wear? And what about the growing sense of guilt over the environmental impact of all those garments that we hardly wear?.

Trust me, I feel you!! But as always, let’s try to focus on the solutions and DIY fashion comes in this case to the rescue.

Photo by @savanevich on Canva

With DIY fashion, you can breathe new life into your old clothes by upcycling and customizing them into unique pieces that reflect your style. Not only does DIY fashion give you a creative outlet, but it also allows you to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

By using materials that you already have or can obtain sustainably, you can create clothing that is not only eco-friendly but also one-of-a-kind. So why not give DIY fashion a try?

3 DIY ideas to give your closet a second chance

DIY fashion projects not only offer practical benefits such as saving money and reducing waste. But they also tap into our innate need for creativity and self-expression. By creating our outfits, we can let our imaginations run wild and experiment with unique designs.

Upcycling fashion projects provide me personally with a sense of satisfaction from bringing my vision to life. And being totally honest, as I am utilising used clothes as raw material, it is not a big loss if now and then, I screw something up. 😂

Photo by @__riapi__ on Instagram

1. Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle…

I never learned how to sew, but I grew up amongst seamstresses. My mum and my aunt could sew very well and as I child I used to help by copying templates, cutting fabrics, etc. Obviously, something rubbed on. As I grew up, I started designing some clothes and they would sew them for me. But it was only a few years ago that I started to sew myself, in an attempt to reduce my textile waste.

One of the simplest ways to get started with DIY textiles is by upcycling old clothes. Upcycling involves taking clothes you no longer wear and transforming them into something new and useful. This could be as simple as cutting up an old t-shirt to create a cleaning cloth or a reusable shopping bag. Of course, if you are talented, you can try more complex projects, such as turning an old dress into a new skirt or top.

The benefits of upcycling are numerous. First and foremost, it’s a great way to reduce waste. Instead of throwing away clothes you no longer wear, you’re giving them a new life. This not only saves them from the landfill but also reduces the demand for new clothes to be produced, which in turn reduces the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Upcycling is also a great way to save money. Instead of buying new clothes or home textiles, you can repurpose what you already have. This is particularly useful if you’re on a tight budget or if you’re trying to reduce your overall spending. Plus, the satisfaction of creating something new out of something old is hard to beat!

Here is an example…

With time and practice, I have upcycled myself some pieces of which I am really proud 😄. One of my favourites is this dress I made using 3 pairs of old jeans. The possibilities are endless, and the only limit is your imagination.

If you are not sure about how or where to start, we recommend you to check out the DIY Kits by BOTTIES, they contain everything that you need to upcycle your old jeans into amazing denim ballerina shoes or cute denim slippers for the kids.

2. The beauty of natural dyes

Natural dyeing can also be a great way to give garments in good condition a new and fresh look. Natural dyeing involves using plant-based materials to colour fabric. In contrast, synthetic dyes, are often made from petroleum-based chemicals and can be harmful to the environment. Natural dyeing is better for the planet and produces unique and beautiful colours that cannot be replicated with synthetic dyes.

Photo by Anna Sullivan on Unsplash

To get started with natural dyeing, you’ll need some plant-based materials, such as avocado skins, onion skins, or flowers. You’ll also need some fabric to dye and some mordant, which helps the dye to adhere to the fabric. There are many online tutorials available that can guide you through the process step by step. Below I am sharing the basics

How to dye fabric naturally?

Choose your natural dye materials: Select the natural materials you want to use for colouring. Some popular options include onion skins, avocado pits, berries, flowers, or vegetables and tea leaves.
Prepare your fabric: Wash your fabric beforehand to remove any dirt or debris. You may also need to treat it with a mordant, such as alum or vinegar, to help the dye adhere to the fabric.
Create your dye bath: Add your chosen dye material to a pot of water and simmer on low heat for several hours to extract the colour. Strain out any solids and return the dye liquid to the pot.
Dye your fabric: Place your prepared fabric into the dye bath and simmer on low heat for at least an hour, or until you achieve your desired colour intensity. Stir the fabric occasionally to ensure even dyeing.
Rinse and dry your fabric: Remove the fabric from the dye bath and rinse thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear. Hang your fabric to dry, away from direct sunlight. Once dry, your naturally dyed fabric is ready to use!

3. Add your personal touch with embroidery

Embroidery is another popular DIY fashion technique. Embroidery involves stitching designs onto fabric using thread or yarn. This can be a simple or complex process, depending on the design you choose. Embroidery is a great way to personalize your clothes and add a unique touch. Plus, it’s a relaxing and meditative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

Other ways to support sustainable fashion

In addition to reusing or upcycling fabrics, there are other ways to support sustainable fashion.

Choose ethical brands

One way to reduce the negative impact of fashion is to buy clothes from companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Look for companies that use sustainable materials, such as organic cotton or recycled polyester and those that are transparent about their supply chain. By supporting these companies, you’re sending a message that you value sustainability.

At Green Cloud Nine we research every brand and product that we add to our site to make sure they meet high quality and sustainability standards, so you can have peace of mind when purchasing these items.

We may indeed have to pay more for clothes that are produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way, but in my experience, these garments are made with quality and durability in mind. In the long term, it pays off.

Photo by @irynakhabliuk on Canva

Buy Secondhand

Another way to reduce textile waste is to buy secondhand clothes. Secondhand clothes are a great option for those who are on a budget or want to reduce their impact on the environment. By buying secondhand clothes you’re giving clothes a new life instead of allowing them to end up in a landfill.

I really love my local charity secondhand shop. I can find there unique and interesting pieces that I wouldn’t be able to find in a traditional retail store. More than 50% of my wardrobe is already coming from there. And, I also buy pieces that I can use for upcycling projects.

Luckily, this secondhand trend is gaining strength everywhere. In addition to local shops, there are many online platforms where you can buy and sell previously loved items. Also, many communities are organising clothes swooping events which are of course fun.

To wrap it up, it’s important to remember that a sustainable wardrobe is about making conscious choices. We can make it fun and interesting with a bit of imagination and small actions. Why not try something new today?

April 6, 2023 0 comment