What to look for to support sustainable fashion

Low impact natural and organic materials:

Natural materials such as hemp, linen, cotton, silk, wool, leather, and cellulose fibers (i.e., synthetically made fibers originating from plant sources, including viscose, rayon, lyocell, etc.) are generally preferable over virgin, petroleum-derived synthetics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon.

This is because natural fibers are biodegradable and can compost cleanly back into the soil (assuming there are no harmful chemical residues left in the fabric), unlike synthetic fibers that will not biodegrade and instead sit in landfills, continually leaching toxic chemicals and fumes.

That said, some natural materials are more sustainable than others, with hemp, linen, and organic cotton generally being among the most environmentally friendly. Some wool and plant fibers can even be grown in ways that are regenerative, meaning able to regenerate healthy soils and sequester carbon (which helps to combat climate change).

As for cellulose fibers—while they come from plant-based origins, some are extracted from destructive harvesting that aggravates deforestation, while many are made in ways that produce toxic chemical byproducts in the manufacturing phase.

Pro tip: Where possible, keep an eye out for organic certifications (like GOTS) for plant-based fibers and ethical indications and standards for wool, such as ZQ-certified wool.

Also, for cellulosic fabrics, look to prioritize lyocell or Tencel, a branded fiber by Lenzing, which is an industry leader in innovating environmentally-conscious fibers.  

Recycled or deadstock materials:

Using pre-existing materials to create new clothing is always a great choice because it does not require the extraction of new resources from the Earth but rather makes the most use of materials that may otherwise go to waste.

Pro tip: Look for fabrics made of recycled fibers (e.g., recycled nylon, recycled polyester, recycled cotton), clothes made of up-cycled materials (repurposed fabric), or clothes made from deadstock fabric (materials created, never sold nor used and would otherwise be thrown away).

Eco-friendly dyes and Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certifications:

Whether you’re looking at natural fibers or synthetic ones, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of the dyes and textile treatment processes. Many dyes and finishing processes involve egregious amounts of water and the use of toxic chemicals.

Pro tip: Eco-friendly dyes include ones from digital printing that require less water, natural, plant-based dyes, and certified nontoxic dyes. You can also look for the Bluesign or OEKO-TEX 100 certifications.  

Zero or low waste design:

A lot of waste in the fashion industry comes from cutting out patterns, so some sustainable fashion brands are designing patterns that result in zero wasted material instead.

In addition, brands may strive to minimize the amount of water and energy used from the manufacturing process; reduce waste by eliminating excessive plastic packaging when transporting from the manufacturer, to the warehouse, and to the customer; and/or ship in bulk and using recycled or biodegradable shipping materials.

Pro tip: Look for brands that make it a priority to minimize byproduct waste in their manufacturing process and excessive packaging materials during transport.

Locally made clothes and ones made in renewable energy run facilities:

With all of the dyeing, sewing, and shipping involved, the fashion industry has a high carbon footprint.

Some brands tackle this by making clothing closer to where it will ultimately be sold, rather than having to ship from overseas. Others lower their carbon footprint by installing solar panels and wind turbines to provide renewable power to their offices and factories.

Pro tip: Support local makers that source fibers from the region and ones that produce their clothes in renewable energy-powered facilities.

Second hand or durable clothes:

Instead of opting for fast fashion that is cheap and meant to be thrown away quickly, you can be a more sustainable fashion consumer by also responsibly caring for your clothes to prolong their lives or buying secondhand, which keep clothes out of landfills for longer.

Buying higher quality, more durable clothing that you can envision yourself wearing again and again throughout the years (even if it’s a little more expensive) helps as well, as it means that it may last in your wardrobe for longer.

Finally, taking good care of your clothes can make a big, positive difference as well, since much of the environmental impact (e.g., water and energy use) from our clothes’ life cycles may come from this care-taking stage.

Pro tip: Choose secondhand clothes first, prioritize durable, high-quality clothes you know you’ll wear throughout the years, wash clothes in cold water, and hang them to dry. Mending holes, spot cleaning stains, and making simple alterations are other ways to keep your clothing out of the landfill for longer.