As our awareness as conscious consumers grow, so does our desire to use our hard-earned money to buy quality items that will last us well. We want to help the environment, go organic, and give back to those in need. Eating organic and locally farmed produce is the obvious way to work towards this with what goes inside of our bodies, but what about what goes on the outside of our bodies?
Wearing sustainable clothing is one of the most positive, impactful things you can do as a conscious consumer, but it can be confusing!
Here we are breaking down what makes clothing sustainable... and how to get your money’s worth!
Eco-Friendly Fibers
What clothing is made of is extremely important.
The greenest fabrics are the ones made from renewable materials that are economical to source. Look for the following fabrics when shopping sustainable. They are all easily composted or recycled and require little water and fertilizer!
- Linen
- Hemp
- Rayon
- Bamboo
- Alpaca
- Wool
- Cotton (when organic - but important to note: this still requires the most water!)
- Peace Silk (a vegan silk that does not require killing silkworms)
Natural Dyes
Look at the tag to see how your fabric is colored. Look for unbleached and plant-dyed fabrics. Colors you would see listed include cochineal, indigo, madder, and avocado!
Recycled Materials
The main source found in recycled clothing is plastic! It can be made into many different forms of clothing - from fleece to denim to sneakers! It is done through a process where they are collected and then melted and spun into yarn. This, especially, saves our ocean from trash and pollution.
Also, while polyester is not one of the eco-friendly fibers, more and more clothing is being sourced from recycled polyester, which minimizes the carbon footprint.
Why Does It Matter?
True, it does take some extra effort and investment to dress sustainably but you will be saving this earth and resources as well as providing fair wages. And since these pieces are so thoughtfully made, they are made to last, unlike fast fashion!
This is why we spent years perfecting our new, sustainable line of clothing, Birch & Grace. Each piece is hand cut, sewn, and dyed by women in Indonesia from renewable sources.
The holiday season can take a toll on us all and caring for what goes in and on your body can help you face the hustle and bustle with energy and confidence.
What are some other ways you like to care for yourself and the planet? Tell us in the comments!
