DID YOU KNOW?
Sequins is trending and Deepika Padukone and Jennifer Lopez have been slaying in that glittery, dreamy Sequins! It’s Trending and it’s a huge hit, be it masks or an Indian Saree.
Are you thinking to jump into the bandwagon or have you already jumped into the pool of sequins and so many other trends by now, even if you had nowhere to go in this pandemic?
If your answer is yes, this article might make you feel uncomfortable but will surely get you thinking. If your answer is no, read on!
I’m sure you might have heard the phrases sustainable fashion, eco-friendly fashion, slow fashion, and the likes. While many of you might have a vague idea what exactly it is let me give you a little more idea about it.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION?
Sustainable Fashion is a fashion concept that’s friendly for the environment and society at large. While sustainable fashion does mean clothing that’s eco-friendly, the concept also includes the complete process of bringing that particular item to its rightful owner in a manner that doesn’t harm the environment or people making them and everything that’s a part of the chain.
DID YOU KNOW ?- THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS THE SECOND MOST POLLUTING INDUSTRIES IN THE WORLD!
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035161
We have been shopping for years, in different manners now, and have been unaware of the social, economic, environmental effect each product in its entire life cycle has. Before we move further, let’s find out what’s your sustainability grade. Take this fun quiz .
Now, I assume you’ve taken the quiz and know how well you’ve fared in the sustainability examination, let’s jump to a few easy and simple ideas that can help you understand and introduce the idea of Sustainability in your life.
10 STEPS TO INTRODUCE SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR FASHION
1. EVALUATE YOUR WARDROBE
Evaluation is the key to knowledge. How many clothes do you own? Evaluate how often do you wear them. Understand how many clothing pieces have been sitting there at the back of your wardrobe for a long time now. Understand which pieces are your favorites and get your love. Make a list of all of this. Ponder.
2. DIVIDE YOUR CLOTHING
Mentally (Or physically) make a note of how many pieces you own are based on your needs versus how many did you buy because you wanted it just to hop on some fads and trends.
3. DONATE
Now that you have a list of items that you simply wanted to wear once or twice, plan on letting them go. You can donate them to charity or pass them on to thrift stores (second-hand stores).
4. REPAIR AND REJUVENATE
A lot of pieces in your wardrobe might be sitting around with a few mendable flaws. Start by repairing them. You can also give a new life to your old clothes by doing quick and easy DIY on them. Now, these are as good as new.
5. DECIDE THE NUMBERS
Decide on how many pieces you will buy per month or year and stick to it. If you have been buying 5 pieces per month, decide on sticking to 4 for a start. Every piece makes a difference. Every time you buy the clothes, divide it by the number of time you will wear them and figure out the actual cost of the clothing piece
6. BE UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR NEEDS AND CHOICES
Understand that you’ll never be satisfied with your shopping and it’s okay. You need to accept the fact that buying should be more in sync with your budget, personality, and morals, rather than a way to impress others. Accept your true self.
7. FALL IN LOVE
It’s the most beautiful feeling in the world, isn’t it? Let’s fall in love with ourselves and of course the clothes we buy. It’s important to feel good about them. It’s important to feel good in everything we do.
8. BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS
We all wait for the sale and don’t we all love bargains. And that’s the perfect spot marketers hit for the buyers. We grab by the dozens and many times we buy clothes and after being back from the store we realize – ‘Ah! That doesn’t suit me ‘ and then the piece gets dumped on the back of your wardrobe. Become aware of what you buy.
9. BURST THE MYTH
We always think a lot of brands charge so high for certain products when you can get them for a much cheaper price. Of course, your budget is important. But if you have the budget and you’re looking for durable and long-lasting pieces like a pair of denim – opt for a high-end product. They have a better quality of fabric and last longer. It’s my personal experience. A lot of brands might keep their profit ratio on the higher side, but they do have a quality control department that checks the quality of their products, and it’s important.
10. MIX AND MATCH
If you have been following fashion influencers now, you might have been fascinated by the way they wear their pieces in several different ways and looks supremely stylish. That’s the cue. Build a capsule wardrobe and mix and match your pieces. Wear that white shirt with your denim or tie it with your summer dress, there are many ways a few pieces can elevate your look. The key point is it leads to minimalism.
These are a few super basic steps in your journey of Sustainable Fashion or Eco-Fashion. It’s all about being aware, being compassionate, and being mindful. I am very sure a lot of you might already be doing some steps that I have mentioned above. Sustainability shouldn’t lead to guilt. You shouldn’t be left with a feeling of ‘Oh! I shouldn’t be doing that’ Let it come naturally to you. There is no better step towards progress than being natural and letting things flow.
If you’re curious and want to know a little more – check out the podcast by Leonie of Gaia and Dubos on Spotify, Apple Music, or even Youtube. It’s worth it.