SUSTANABILITY

The word sustainability has many meanings to  maintain , support, endure, and withstand. it most commonly means maintaining the world we live in the main idea is that we must act responsibly so that the recourses on the planet will be able to support many generation to come.

What is ethical or sustainable fashion?

While "fast fashion" describes clothing that is cheaply made and intended for short-term use, "sustainable" (or "ethical") fashion is the opposite and is sometimes even referred to as "slow fashion." It takes into account the full lifecycle of the product — from the design, sourcing, and production processes — and looks at everyone and everything being affected by it, from the environment, to the workers and communities where it’s produced, to the consumers who purchase it. It’s a complex issue and there isn’t one brand that’s currently capable of tackling everything, but right now there are five main issues being addressed in the fashion industry:

Water usage: The demands for fresh water for drinking and agriculture is far surpassing what’s available. Yes, the Earth is covered in water, but most of it is unusable salt water or has been polluted. As a result, some brands are now looking at the supply chains to see how they can cut back on how much water they're using.

Hazardous chemicals: Dyes and finishes from the production processes are dangerous for the workers, plus they get into the community water sources. These chemicals may not affect the consumers, but they’re a problem for the people who make clothing and those who live in areas where it’s produced. Fashion and outdoor brands are now tasked with coming up with new ways to address dyes and finishes for features like wrinkle-resistance and water-repellency.

 Agriculture: Natural fibers like cotton are often grown using pesticides and treatments that are harmful to the farmers, workers, and wildlife in the area. There are now more options for organic cotton, linen, and other fibers available, which also use less water than the conventional growing methods. Plus, brands are looking at being organic throughout the production process – not just the growing of the crop, which is only the first step.

What are the most sustainable fabrics?

The most sustainable fabric is one that’s previously been used; anything new that has been produced – regardless of what material – has a negative impact on the environment. After that comes fabrics made with recycled material. Most commonly you’ll find polyester made from recycled water bottles. Just make sure you’re looking for specific details, like "100% recycled polyester" (some brands might market it as “made with partially recycled materials” when it’s really only a small portion).

Lastly, fabrics made with sustainable fibers are better than conventional ones, like organic fibers that use less chemicals and water, or Tencel that’s safer for workers and has less waste.

SUSTAINABLE BRANDS:

1. LEVI'S

From growing the cotton to dyeing and finishing, it takes over 2,000 gallons of water just to make one pair of jeans. Levi’s focuses on the finishing processes to remove water wherever possible with its Water<Less collection, which it says uses up to 96% less water to make. And because Levi's is such a big player in the denim industry, steps like this can actually have an impact. On top of that, the brand publicly shares its in-depth sustainability commitments throughout the product lifecycle.

2. Alternative Apparel

For casual closet staples like T-shirts, hoodies, leggings, and more, Alternative Apparel focuses on using organic cotton and recycled materials. The pieces have a worn-in, vintage look that’s timeless so they won’t go in and out of style. The brand also uses more sustainable packaging and low impact dyes, and it follows strict ethical standards for the factories it sources from. And it’s not just for women: there are also styles for men and kids.

3. EILEEN FISHER

This luxury brand is a leader in sustainable fashion and takes a full lifecycle approach: It looks at everything from the fibers, to the dyes and finishes, to ethics during the production process, to repairs and waste at the end of the cycle – and the list goes on. The garments can get pricey, but under the Renew website, the brand buys back and resells its own label’s gently worn clothing so you can get it for a lower price in excellent condition. If the clothing isn’t good enough to be resold, it'll turn the fabric into art using special felting techniques.

3. COLUMBIA

Columbia also looks at the full supply chain to improve its sustainability, but what makes it stand out from other brands is the innovation in the production process. Its Out dry Eco jackets are made from recycled water bottles, use no dye to save over 24 gallons of water per jacket, and has a water-repellant finish without PFCs that are known to be harmful to the environment. The brand also says over half of its vendors are Bluesign certified, meaning they are more efficient with water, energy, and waste, and follow strict safety requirements.