It seems like everyone these days is into sustainability. Thanks to awareness initiatives like Earth Day and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), people are becoming more and more involved in making small changes to their daily lives. But, while more and more people are becoming conscientious about their actions, sometimes finding trendy, sustainable fashion can be a real challenge.
By now, most of us are aware of the huge impact our lifestyle choices have on our environment. Don’t get us wrong, we love going vegan (eat clean) and using reusable products, but we’re not going to lie and say that it’s easy. Finding vegan fashion options and eco-friendly homes may be a doozy. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see all the cool style bloggers who have found ways to incorporate environmentally friendly items into their daily looks.
When Reduced, a company dedicated to making sustainable fashion stylish and affordable, launched earlier this year, it created a bit of a buzz in the fashion community. But it’s a company that’s making a direct effort to address a widespread environmental problem, and the benefits are twofold: you look good, and you save the planet.
When we think of saving the earth, we often think of saving the forests, the oceans, and the planet—but what about fashion? “Eco-fashion” is taking the fashion conscious into the 21st century. It’s not the hippie mom look of the 70s, but a cool, fashion-forward look that lets you express your individuality while doing your part to save the environment. Check out these eco-fashion tips to get started.
Buy second-hand clothing
Buying new clothing can be incredibly wasteful. On average, Americans discard more than 250 tons of clothes every year, and that’s just from what we throw out! Buying second-hand allows you to replace items you no longer use with new, ethically sourced items from past customers. But did you know a used item can also be more sustainable than something new? When you buy secondhand rather than new, you reduce the amount of waste in landfills, conserve energy and water, and support local businesses.
Fashion loves a reinvention, and with vintage has gone mainstream with the rise of sites like eBay, shopping second-hand is a no-brainer. There’s nothing wrong with buying new clothes, but why not buy second-hand, too? For one, you’ll find an item in the right size that’s actually still in style. Second, you’re doing your part for the environment by avoiding new clothing production, which wastes resources and pollutes the air as factories burn gas and release greenhouse gasses into the environment.
Buy from the right brands.
As the world rapidly changes around us, it’s imperative that we make a conscious decision to think and act in a way that protects our planet. This starts with how we dress, which unfortunately is also one of the biggest contributors to pollution. According to Forbes, the average American throws out more than 70 pounds of clothing every year.
Cutting down on your carbon footprint just got a whole lot easier. Thanks to a new sustainable fashion movement, many popular brands are now making it easier than ever to look good while doing it.
Clothing brands not only help make us look our best but can help save the planet, too. When shopping for new clothes, keep in mind that many clothing brands offer sustainability options that are better for the environment than traditional fashion. For instance, Patagonia is a clothing brand that emphasizes sustainability. And if you’re in the market for some new, eco-friendly shoes, consider TOMS Shoes. TOMS is a socially responsible shoe company that sells classic canvas slip-ons that range in price from $35 to $85.