Lifestyle Blog #3
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
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Everything you need to know and why choosing Dyetology is helping the world
For the last few years, the fashion industry has been a target and a topic of environmentally-focused discussions centered on preventing pollution. With so many end-products and waste that comes from the fashion manufacturing process, the impact on the environment has been quite noticeable. Many fashion organizations and activists have taken a stand to demand change in the fashion industry. This new change and the so-called new revolution come in the form of sustainable fashion.
For those who are interested in keeping up with what is happening in fashion on the global level, then the term "sustainable fashion" is not a new phrase. The focus on sustainability started a few years back, and it was all inspired by the people who wanted something different from regular fast fashion. Sustainable fashion is also known as slow fashion - the opposite of fast fashion.
In the past years, sustainable fashion was a rarity. There were a small number of fashion brands that practiced this approach to contribute to the overall prevention of polluting the environment. As the political climate changed, fashion progressed and improved. People became aware of how fashion impacts the environment. Consumers realized how their needs and demands on the market required more involvement with slow fashion.
Today, the number and the presence of lots of fashion brands in the sustainable movement speaks of a more aware society. One that works toward improving people’s health and protecting the water, air, and aquatic life of our entire planet.
To become a part of this sustainable revolution, here is everything you need to know.
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion is an approach to fashion that is different from regular fashion. It mainly, and most importantly, focuses on humanity and the environment by reducing the environmental impact wherever possible. The ultimate goal of sustainable fashion is to have a system that works without leaving a negative footprint. The most common terms you will observe that are connected to sustainable fashion are natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, and vegan.
Why does sustainable fashion matter?
Sustainable fashion is not just a trend that is dominating the world of fashion and its manufacturing process. Although it might have started as a trend, today it has grown into common practice as more and more fashion brands are taking part in it. Newly established brands are being founded as sustainable ones. And the ones that already exists are either switching toward the sustainable approach or, at least, introducing special sustainable lines into their offer and collection.
So what makes sustainable fashion worth the switch and why does it actually matter? Here are 8 irrefutable reasons:
1. Sustainable fashion saves natural resources
Lots of studies have shown that the almost 97% of what is used in the making of clothes are new resources, which means only 3% of the materials are recycled. Recycled fibers are a much more sustainable option because they reduce the pressure on virgin resources and directly tackle the problem of waste management.
2. Sustainable fashion reduces the carbon footprint
The entire fashion industry, on a global level, emits a huge amount of green gases per year. This is directly, massively, and actively contributing to global warming. One of the reasons for this is that the majority of the clothes we wear are petroleum-based and made from fossil fuels. This includes polyester, acrylic, and nylon materials that require significantly more energy to be used in the production process compared to natural or recycled fibers.
The brands that are classified as sustainable use materials that are coming from natural and recycled fabrics that require much less, or zero, chemical treatment, little water, less energy, and no fertilizers or pesticides. The most organic fabrics are linen, hemp, and organic cotton. Most of them are even biodegradable. These environmental-friendly fabrics are easy on the planet and great alternatives to regular fashion choices.
3. Sustainable fashion saves the animals
The fashion industry’s use of animals has been a controversy for many years. The common misconception is that leather is a by-product coming from the meat industry. Although this might be true, it is not always the case. That is why sustainable brands have increased and embraced the use of cruelty-free alternatives. There is a suitable alternative for almost every material: polyester can be made from the trash from the oceans, bags are created from recycled seatbelts, sneakers come from plant-based compostables, silk is created from yeast, and there is also bio-fabricated vegan wool.
Today, the most demanded leather alternative actually comes from pineapples. The fabric is produced using the leaves of the pineapples in the harvesting process. With the use of this method the by-product waste receives a new purpose.
4. Sustainable fashion needs less water
As you might already know, water is the major resource in the fashion industry. It is used in many different processes such as dyeing, and finishing touches for the final look of the clothes we wear. Some researches have shown that it takes around 2700 liters of water just so one single T-shirt can be produced. Cotton, as one of the fabrics that is highly used in the fashion industry, is very dependent on water. It usually grows in hot and dry areas where there is a lack of water. On the contrary, organic cotton reduces this massive water consumption by about 91%.
However, currently, only 1% of the global cotton production is organic. This is because of the much higher cost of non-GMO seeds. They often require additional investment into materials and machinery, which the farmers only use for their organically grown crop. Other sustainable fabrics that require little or no water are linen, hemp, and fibers like recycled cotton.
5. Sustainable fashion supports fair and safe working conditions
Another very important topic in the fashion industry is modern-day slavery, which occurs because employers pay little in wages, demand endless working hours, maintain poor health and safety conditions, among other concerns. Additionally, in overseas manufacturing, employers still rely upon verbal and physical abuse to create the products we wear. Brands that are established as eco-friendly stand for humane working conditions, health care for all the employees, and fair wages.
These choices help fulfill the larger purpose towards creating economic opportunities for those in need in order to end poverty. Wearing fashion can also contribute to feeling good, so that includes appreciation and valuing the people who stand behind the manufacturing process, as well as saving the environment and the animals.
6. Sustainable fashion is a healthier option for the people and the planet
The clothes and garments produced under the fast fashion process often undergo a long and intense process before they end up hanging in a storefront, ready for sale. There are around 8000 different chemicals that are used to dye, bleach, and wet-process the garments. These chemicals are one of the main reasons for diseases, and even deaths, that occur on farms and can cause serious birth defects for children in these areas. Some of these chemicals are a real danger to children’s health, because they absorb into the skin through the clothes we wear.
That is why it is always suggested to wash the newly bought clothes before wearing them for the first time.
7. Sustainable fashion stands against child labor
Child labor is not a new occurrence, and there are still a great number of children working different jobs. However, UNICEF has defined child labor as “work for which the child is either too young – work done below the required minimum age – or work which, because of its detrimental nature or conditions, is altogether considered unacceptable for children and is prohibited”.
This is especially important because there are children sent to factories to work in conditions that resemble modern-day slavery. This practice is unacceptable. The brands that are working under the principle of sustainability are transparent about details such as the factory, working conditions, and manufacturing process.
8. Sustainable fashion offers a new take on how to love our clothes again
With so many different fashion options today, it is easy to look fashionable and stylish. But what about enjoying what you wear? Sustainable fashion does not just stand for the fashion and the process itself, it holds a much deeper meaning. It teaches us to examine and get to know the entire manufacturing process. The goal is to for consumers to be proud of every link with your fashion choice – from the farming of the resources to its production to its shipment to your door. Being aware of all the downsides of what the fashion industry delivers will eventually lead to more conscious consumerism, which will be planet, animal, and people-friendly.
Why is Dyetology the best sustainable choice for you?
Fashion is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Flaunting the fashion trends is much easier and provides more satisfaction when you know that there is a good cause behind it. That is why we, at Dyetology, have dedicated the entire mission and vision of the brand towards the new revolution of sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion is not just a trend. It is a choice of principled existence with a conscious nod to the health and preservation of the environment.
With sustainable fashion, it is up to every individual and brand to make the change that we all need. The individuals are the consumers that buy sustainable fashion garments, and with that, support and encourage the entire process and movements towards cleaner, safer, and better fashion choices for the environment. As for the fashion brands, the sustainable approach requires reflection upon multiple levels of the production process, each of them holding special and significant value in improving and caring for both the people and the planet.
Dyetology is more than a fashion brand. It is a fashion movement that creates unique and extraordinary fashion pieces for women who are willing to add a different fashion style to their looks and outfits. As the main part of the brand's name, the dye is the central component of the design. The production of each piece revolves around how the dye will be incorporated into the clothing. The specialty and creativity in designing these fabulous pieces come from the most varied dye combinations and mixtures that are not only fashionable, original, and unique, but also safe and secure for those producing them and the ones wearing them.
And sustainability is not all that we at Dyetology do. What many fashion brands fail to do is to acknowledge and appreciate the support they have received on their long and arduous journey toward success. Giving back to the community is one of our valuesthat we strongly stand for. For every sock purchased at our store, we give one pair back to the members of our community in need.
We work with the local homeless shelters to provide them with the most requested item, socksMany people don’t realize how essential socks are to our daily lives. Unfortunately, when people donate clothes to their community, they often forget about socks. Even though this might be a small step, we are very proud to help our community in any way we can. We are passionate about our mission of giving back to the community. In the future, we intend to expand our donation service so that we can contribute to more communities.
At Dyetology we are all committed to working towards a sustainable future in fashion. We try and use as much upcycled, organic, and recycled materials as possible. We seek to reduce the pressure on valuable and limited resources. By creating clothing through a process that relieves the strain on resources, we will achieve a balance between stylish clothing and protecting the planet.
To protect the beauty of the environment, we all must work together – consumers must make smart choices and fashion lines must commit to good practices. That is why we urge you to become part of the sustainable movement, choose sustainably and make the change that we all need.