As we are all aware that sustainable and ethical fashion is becoming increasingly popular among us, it is
critical to grasp what sustainable fashion truly is. Sustainable fashion is a method to support a change in
fashion goods and the fashion system toward improved ecological integrity and social justice. This fashion trend is a strategy that fosters a shift in fashion trends while keeping our eco-system and surroundings in mind. It is a method of designing, manufacturing, and supplying sustainable outfits with maximum benefit to the ethical clothing company and little impact on the ecological cycle. Sustainable and ethical fashion allows these two opposing viewpoints to coexist and, as a result, save our
environment while also driving massive corporate growth. These misunderstandings about ethical fashion and sustainability may motivate some shoppers to take action by incorporating these elements into their lifestyles. Here are a few prevalent fallacies, as well as the truth and possibilities of sustainable
fashion.
Myth: Brands that guarantee sustainability are sustainable.
FACT: The terms “sustainability,” “slow fashion,” and “green fashion” are commonly used to persuade buyers that the goods, materials, and other necessary items are made in such a manner that the ecosystem is not disturbed or mistreated. However, the majority of these so-called sustainable brands contribute to environmental damage.
According to studies, there was a 75% increase in ecological shiver in the fashion sector in 2019 compared to the previous year.’ However, most firms are transitioning toward ethical apparel. However, if this were true, the rise in atmospheric harm caused by ethical clothing would not have been achievable at this pace. This validates the belief that brands are inherently immoral.
Myth: You can recycle all of your clothes.
FACT: No outfit may be reused or altered. It is entirely dependent on the fabric of the eco- apparel. Many textiles, for example, are created from cotton and polyester blends that must be distinguished from one another in order to create a unique clothing. This apparel cannot be recycled unless it is separated from the others.
Myth: Buying from “eco-conscious” or “sustainable” companies may help you lessen your environmental effect.
FACT: The only way to have a positive influence on the environment is to buy less and fewer items. Filling your closet with an abundance of ethical fashion outfits may yield little benefit in terms of repairing environmental damage.
Myth: A pricey outfit cares less about labour abuse.
FACT: In many situations, outfits from all kinds of companies are prepared under the same roof, whether they are pricey, exclusive, middle-of-the-road, or quick fashion. That is, labour is paid based on the quantity of outfits produced rather than the quality or inventiveness with which they are produced. Most high-end fashion businesses profess to care for their employees. However, the price of a garment does not ensure or explain in any way that employees were adequately compensated because labour expenses are restricted and can only cover a tiny portion of overall manufacturing costs. Spending money on luxury apparel guarantees sustainability. Some fashion businesses, such as Burberry, have held “carbon-neutral” fashion presentations, while Gucci says that its activities are now completely carbon-neutral. Stella McCartney has been advocating for more environmentally friendly methods for many years and is one of several fashion businesses to join a UN charter for climate change, vowing to cut collective carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. However, there is still work to be done in the premium apparel sector.
Myth: Your internet returns are resold to other consumers.
Fact: Your returns may well be burned or disposed of in landfills. Returns are frequently less expensive to dispose of than to check and repackage them, and labels may be reticent to give the things for fear of trivialising their brand or jeopardising its exclusivity. A 2019 CBC investigation highlighted this practise, noting that the amount of online returns has surged by 95% in the last five years.
Myth: Raising worker pay will raise customer pricing.
Fact:Brands prefer to propagate this illusion because it provides a nice excuse for their continuous exploitation. Consumers believe this misconception because they are unaware of genuine costs and have distorted judgments of affordability vs value. This is not to imply that inflation and price hikes do not exist; they do. However, perception is not reality. When a garment is mass manufactured, labour accounts for only a small portion of the entire cost. According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, labour accounts for just around 3% of the overall retail cost of a garment, therefore raising employees’ salaries would not greatly raise the price of a garment.
Changing the Industry
We need a radical shift in thinking in order to truly turn fashion into a dignified industry.Sustainability isn’t a trend, or a department, or a PR opportunity. Sustainability must be central to the business model, and by extension a pillar of supply chain ethos, embracing corporate social responsibility and ethics into its core tenets. Brands have an obligation to invest in their supply chains and pay their workers more, and in this way assume some of the risk that they force suppliers to bear. Brands must move away from their exponential linear growth models. Instead they must adopt circular business models, where they apply regenerative practices, slow down the production cycle, and produce far less but better.
Governments must exercise caution by enacting legislation that requires brands to honour their supply chain agreements. Accountability, including punitive measures for infractions, as well as remedies for any harms caused, must be included in such law. Consumers must also play a role. For years, businesses have urged customers to buy more responsibly while continuing to produce billions of clothes every year. Nonetheless, customers have the ability to influence change. Yes, consumers should lower their consumption and be more deliberate in their purchases: buy less and buy better. Customers can also utilise their voice. Consumers may demand transparency and responsibility from businesses through initiatives like The FABRIC Act, resulting in significant change.
Reference:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sustainable-fashion-climate-change_n_5e3984eac5b66c4eafda7d35
