As an eco-conscious consumer, you're probably looking for every possible way to reduce your environmental footprint, and one of the best ways is to buy sustainable fashion. But shopping sustainably goes beyond just looking out for eco-friendly fabrics. It requires making ethical choices that transcend the material.

What Does It Mean to Make Ethical Choices When Buying Clothing?

Making ethical choices in fashion means being mindful of the broad effects your clothing has on the planet and its inhabitants. How does the brand treat its workers, how are the items shipped to you, and are animals harmed at any stage of the production process?

Ultimately, making ethical fashion choices means considering not just the fabric but several other factors. These factors are what we're going to look at.

How to Buy Sustainable Clothing

1. Educate Yourself on What Sustainable Fashion is All About

The first step to making ethical fashion choices is to educate yourself on what sustainable fashion entails. You'll want to know what makes a garment sustainable, how to find sustainable fashion brands, and how to know when a brand is being dishonest.

As mentioned earlier, sustainability goes beyond the fabric. Even when eco-friendly materials like cotton were used, how was the clothing item produced? Is the dye artificial or organic? Was a sustainable printing method employed? Is the fabric durable?

Being mindful of these factors will guide your fashion choices.

2. Choose Sustainable Brands

Unlike the food and beverage industry where products are typically labeled organic or free-range, the fashion industry lacks regulation in how the word "sustainable" is used. Hence, you might find brands falsely marketing themselves as sustainable or GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). Don't fall for vain words.

What makes a fashion company truly sustainable is not just the words or fabrics used but its overall ethical practice. Choose brands that adhere to fair labor practices, environmental conservation, and an ethical supply chain.

Do they source materials ethically? Do they use eco-friendly processes and treat workers fairly? How are they making a difference?

There must be transparency. If there is none, you cannot be certain that a brand is indeed ethical.

So, before shopping any brand, look it up.

Actual sustainable brands like Ichcha openly show their sustainable initiatives with verifiable proof.

After your research, compile a list of sustainable brands you'll love to shop from going forward. This will simplify your decision-making.

3. Buy Organic

Arguably the most ethical fashion choice you can make is to buy clothing made with organic fabrics. These include organic cotton, linen, silk, modal, hemp, cashmere, and wool. The plants from which these raw materials are harvested are grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals.

This means the raw materials are naturally and ethically sourced without polluting the environment. Plus, organic fabrics are biodegradable, so they don't significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

You'll want to be careful when buying cotton fabrics, though. The conventional cotton available in most stores is typically mass-produced using chemicals and artificial dyes, which cause pollution. Organic cotton, on the other hand, goes through entirely natural processes and isn't mass-produced, making it relatively more premium.

Check out these organic block print clothing.

4. Avoid Synthetic Clothing

When buying sustainable clothing, avoid fabrics made of polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, spandex, and microfiber. These synthetic materials are typically derived from petroleum and are therefore harmful to the environment. Whenever you wash them, microplastics are released into the rivers and oceans, killing marine life.

Make it a habit to check labels when shopping. If the material is synthetic but recycled, it is worth buying. Recycled materials contribute to a zero-waste lifestyle, and that's good.

5. Shop Secondhand

One of the simplest sustainable fashion ideas is to buy secondhand clothing. This is an excellent way to promote a circular economy where products are reused or resold to minimize waste.

Secondhand does not necessarily mean inferior quality. In truth, many garments are resold not because of damage but because they have outlived the owner's fancy after several wears. Proof that indeed the material is durable. So, why let such materials waste away at landfills?

By opting for secondhand clothing, you reduce the volume of waste generated by the fashion industry. Since no new clothes are produced to satisfy your needs, buying secondhand reduces the environmental impact of clothing production. Plus, you save money on high-quality clothes.

6. Choose Quality over Quantity

If you're looking to shop sustainably, ditch fast fashion for high-quality fabrics. Fast fashion focuses on mass-producing large volumes of synthetic clothing in response to the latest trends. They're generally not built to last— just like fashion trends. The result is a wardrobe filled with waste. Incinerating synthetic fabrics releases huge amounts of carbon emissions. Also, you'll need to replace those garments with more fast fashion.

To reduce your carbon footprint, opt for high-quality sustainable clothes, even though it might cost more. High-quality clothes are crafted with durable materials, reducing the environmental impact associated with frequent replacement.

7. Think Twice Before Shopping

Building a sustainable wardrobe requires that you be mindful and intentional with every purchase. Before bringing out your credit card, consider how that garment fits into your style aesthetics. Do you really need it?

Making conscious choices when buying clothing means resisting impulsive purchases and choosing pieces that can be mixed and matched and align with your lifestyle.

Avoid buying clothing you don't need, as that only leads to waste, environmentally and financially. That's how to build a sustainable wardrobe.

8. Don't Always Buy; Upcycle Where Possible

One sustainable fashion idea worth considering is to upcycle old undamaged clothing. For instance, if you've got a pair of denim trousers you no longer wish to be seen wearing, consider cutting it into denim shorts. By upcycling old clothing, you reduce waste and avoid unnecessary spending.

If you have a thing for bohemian fashion, upcycling used garments significantly contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.

9. Sell to Resale Shops

Before splurging on more clothing, check if you have some that are in good condition that people would be willing to pay for. Find resale shops around you and sell those pieces to them.

Here's a list of online resale shops you can sell used clothing:

• Hardly Ever Worn It
• TheRealReal
• Poshmark
• ThredUp
• Vestiare
• Depop
• Vinted
• Ebay

You can also sell to thrift stores near you. Also consider donating unwanted clothes.

10. Buy Clothes You Can Wear for Longer

To shop sustainably, buy fewer clothes and only choose ones that will last. A rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "Can I wear this piece at least 30 times?" If the answer is no, don't swipe out your credit card.

Making ethical fashion choices requires that we consider clothing not just as a disposable commodity but an investment from which we must obtain the most value.

If there's an event for which you need a new outfit, consider renting. If you must buy, consider reselling it if it no longer serves you after the event.

11. Reassess Your Attitude to Shopping

We all know how thrilling shopping can be. You just can't wait to put on that new dress and turn heads. But whoever said new has to be brand new? It could be a vintage or rented piece. That way, you still get the dopamine surge that comes with a new look. But without the environmental impact of producing new clothes to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts

Being mindful of your fashion choices can appear to be more pain than it's worth, but not so.

By choosing sustainable fashion, we drive brands that harm the environment out of the market in favor of those that care. Ultimately, we'll have a more sustainable fashion industry where it becomes super easy to find sustainable clothes. You just know whatever item you pick is most likely sustainable, because the unsustainable ones no longer exist. Choosing becomes less tasking.

Also, with sustainable clothing brands realizing that dressing sustainably doesn't mean compromising on aesthetics, you can now get beautiful pieces that are just as elegant as fast fashion but safer.

FAQs

How Do I Shop Sustainably on a Budget?

To shop sustainably on a budget, opt for secondhand or thrift stores, as they offer sustainable options at a lower cost. Another option is to buy fewer, higher-quality items that last longer.

Is ASOS Fast Fashion or Sustainable?

ASOS is primarily known as a fast fashion brand, but it has introduced a sustainable collection called ASOS Eco Edit. However, its overall business model leans more towards fast fashion.

What Makes a Product Sustainable?

A sustainable product is one that minimizes its environmental impact and promotes social responsibility throughout its lifecycle—from production to disposal. While the product is eco-friendly, the brand must care for its workers, people, and animals.

What is Ethical Clothing?

Ethical clothing refers to garments produced with fair labor practices, cruelty-free methods, and sustainable materials. The goal is to minimize harm to people and the planet throughout the production process.

How Can the Fashion Industry Be More Sustainable?

For the fashion industry to be more sustainable, using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and implementing circular fashion models like recycling or upcycling garments must become the core ethos. Brands must also pay fair wages and show transparency in supply chains to prove sustainability.

How Can I Avoid Fast Fashion?

To avoid fast fashion, focus on buying from sustainable brands, shopping secondhand, avoiding synthetic fabrics, and investing in timeless, durable pieces. Being mindful of consumption and supporting smaller, local brands also helps.

Where to Buy Sustainable Clothing?

You can find sustainable clothing from brands like Ichcha. Whether you're looking for organic cotton dresses or block print blouses and scarves, you’re sure to find high-quality pieces you'll love.

Apart from fashion, we also offer reusable block-print napkins and other eco-friendly items to help you reduce waste at home. But we don't stop there. We are also focused on creating social impact on our local communities and the world at large.

Together, we can make an even bigger impact.

Shop Ichcha, shop sustainably.