How Circular Fashion Can Help You Build A Sustainable Wardrobe
The fashion industry has always been thought of as a major contributor to climate change since it’s responsible for nearly 10 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. However, this sector is gradually making a shift towards sustainability to meet the demand for eco-conscious clothing and accessories. According to recent data, 55 percent of US customers are interested in buying sustainable fashion, and about 3 out of 10 consumers would buy all their clothes from eco-friendly clothing stores and brands if they knew where to find them.
The latest technological developments, such as 3D design and AI processes, have helped to make sustainable fashion more accessible. Likewise, through a regenerative approach called circular fashion, people can have access to eco-friendly clothing to create a greener closet. Here’s how circular fashion can help you build a sustainable wardrobe.
What is Circular Fashion?
Most people think that circular fashion is just about upcycling, wherein one redesigns clothing to turn it into a new piece. However, it’s much more than that as circular fashion starts when a designer creates clothing with longevity in mind. Apart from using high-quality fabrics and innovative sewing techniques to boost the clothing’s durability, its end-of-life stage is also taken into consideration.
This means that even before they start making a jacket, a skirt, or a dress, the designer will have to determine if the piece will decompose or biodegrade, or if it can be reused or repurposed in some other way.
Since circular fashion involves using top-of-the-line materials, they’re usually designed to outlast trends, making them worth every single penny. To maximize your clothing budget, it’s recommended to buy timeless clothing, such as fall layering pieces, from brands that practice circularity. Basics such as jeans, trousers, and blazers from these brands can be good investments too since they tend to get worn the most, regardless of the season.
Which Brands Practice Circular Design?
Several fashion brands that are based in the US are at the forefront of the circularity movement. One of them is Outerknown, and their clothing is centered on sustainability. Eight of their facilities run on renewable energy, and they offer their customers a chance to buy and sell pre-loved pieces that will be repurposed into new products. They also formed a partnership with Project Vermont wherein they rescue hundreds of pounds of old jeans and turn them into denim bags. Another brand that has practiced circularity for years is Patagonia. This company buys back their customers’ used Patagonia products and gives them to people who need them. In exchange, their customers get store credit which they can use to purchase new clothing or gear.
In Europe, Sweden has emerged as the leader in circular fashion. Brands like Filippa K and Lindex have successfully implemented the circular model by using an innovative material called OnceMore to make their clothing. This locally-made material, which is produced by combining textile waste with wood from responsibly managed forests, is utilized to make long-lasting and sustainably sourced pieces.
Meanwhile, Houdini Sportswear has incorporated circular design into their business by opening a concept store called Houdini Circular. Customers can shop for new and used gear, but they can also rent, sell or have their used Houdini clothes repaired here.
The circular movement is starting to gain ground in some parts of Asia too. For instance, a fashion brand called Studio Membrane, which is based in Japan, is using biodegradable fibers and weaving them together without using additives to create fabrics. Meanwhile, India-based brand Doodlage is practicing zero wastage by turning fabric scraps into bags, accessories, and garment tags.
Closing the Loop
Building a sustainable wardrobe takes more than just buying clothes and accessories from brands that produce circular fashion pieces. As a consumer, you also need to adjust your purchasing habits to close the loop and reduce your carbon footprint. One way to do so is by buying classic, durable pieces that go well with at least 80 percent of your wardrobe. Look through a brand’s seasonless collections to find the right pieces, and avoid choosing trendy clothing that’s bound to look outdated in just a couple of months.
Check for high quality sewing and finishing, and select clothes made from fabrics that can decompose quickly after they’re thrown away. Keep in mind that clothing made from 100 percent cotton or pure linen can decompose in just a few weeks, while clothes made from synthethic textiles like polyester, spandex, and nylon may take 20 to 200 years to decompose.
Supporting circular fashion can help you build a green and timeless closet. Buy from brands that are part of the circular design movement, and be discerning when choosing clothing and accessories so you can look your best without harming the planet.