Sustainable fashion means ethical production, natural fiber composition, and radical consumer education.
Here are reasons to consider when purchasing new clothing for your dream capsule wardrobe.
- Quality + longevity of the piece
- Materials + dyes used in fabrics
- Fair labor practices
- Environmental pollution
- Designed with women in mind
Here is the series to teach you about “Healthy Fashion” as a sustainable alternative to cheap waste.
1: Fibers 101: Natural vs. Synthetic
- Learn the difference between natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, wool) & synethetics (polyester, acrylic, nylon, spandex)
- Learn about how fabrics are made, from fiber to fabric (farming, ginning, spinning, weaving for cotton vs. petrochemical processing, polymerization, fiber extrusion)
- Learn about color dyeing chemicals (sizing agenets, bleaches, dyes, finishing resins)
- Learn about hazardous substances in clothing (carcinogenic azo dyes, formaldehyde finishes for wrinkle-free, flame retardants, PFAs in rain jackets + uniforms, antimicrobials, & plastic additives such as BPA + phthalates)
2: Closet Health Impacts on Consumers
- Learn about skin issues (allergic dermatitis, eczema, hives, rashes)
- Learn about hormonal issues (endocrine disruption from chronic exposure)
- Learn about other health concerns (respiratory issues from new clothing fumes + inhaling fiber dust; odor + bacterial issues from non-breathable synthetics)
3: Risks to Factory Workers in Mass Production Supply Chains
- Learn about factory conditions + labor ethics, considering the real people behind each sewing machine
4: Environmental + Global Fallout
- Learn about microfiber pollution, particularly water pollution
- Learn about the unsustainable waste + climate impact
5: How to Build a Non-Toxic Wardrobe
- How to Detox Your Current Closet
- Learn how to read the labels
- Prioritize where to start to slowly transform it to good for you rather than risks
- Learn about buying toxic-free via certifications
- Oeko-Tex (tests for harmful substances)
- GOTS (organic textile standard)
- Fair Trade
- Bluesign (safe chemical management)
- Find ethical fashion brands you can trust
