Fashion, as commonly perceived by people, is often branded as frivolous, erratic, and impractical as well. Only people in the know can see the cyclic and evolutionary pattern of constantly changing fashion. What stays stable is classified as ‘Classic’.
This is a fact that TCF (Textile, Clothing & Fashion) is indeed the biggest polluter on earth right next to oil. The mindless practice of fast fashion has resulted in overflowing landfills. Synthetic fashion contributes to a large amount of textile and chemical waste, greenhouse emission that we will not be getting rid of from this planet anytime soon. If we keep going like this, we will, in no time, be surrounded by an inordinate amount of discarded textile waste that will be very difficult to dispose of.
It is an interesting paradox that we now hear a growing sentiment for ‘Sustainability in fashion! Even if the concept of sustainability in fashion is fairly new compared to other fields, it is not quite late. There is still time to fix the damage and control the wave of textile waste that we soon might be buried under. Fashion by its very nature is supposed to evolve with every season and for all the Fashion leaders, anything not ‘in’ is ‘oh-so-last-season’, and who wants to be a laggard!
This brings forth a tricky question, how do we stay on top of our fashion game and yet be sustainable?! Let’s explore some doable sustainable options that the world is looking at. These very practices have been so much a way of life for us in India that it’s no exaggeration to say that we have been championing the cause of sustainability in textile and fashion even much before it became a fashion statement to do so! Here we shall just relive the very own mantras followed and passed on since yore.
RECYCLE AND UPCYCLE
Nothing needs to be discarded until it is in a condition where no further good can come out of it. Textiles and fabrics have the excess capacity that gets wasted when one discards a moderately used piece of clothing. Not limited to the wasted capacity, the amount of material and energy that goes wasted due to this is disastrous. This can be easily prevented.
Fabric, after completing its cycle as a piece of clothing can be put to multiple alternate uses. From turning a pair of used jeans into a stylish handbag, or using scrap pieces of your old torn t-shirt to fill inside a pillow as stuffing, to even using some worn-out cloth for dusting, one can find so many alternate uses for the fabrics that they might think belong inside a dustbin. As Indians, we have already trained ourselves to find the best use for a product after its primary lifecycle ends. Believing in the re-birth is not only deeply rooted in our philosophy but also for all products that are a part of our lifestyle. With a little bit of creativity and imagination, we can apply the same to our textile waste and prevent disposing of them completely to a great extent!
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
As much as owning a wide range and a heavy collection of fashionable clothing sounds appealing, little do we think about the consequence of our material possessions on the environment. In recent times, owning more has become a fashion statement. The concept of using fashion and clothing as a display of ‘status’ has consumed and polluted our minds much in the same way as textile waste pollutes the planet. In our minds, everything is about quantity and quick look changes. This consumerist mindset has resulted in mindless fast fashion, which we need to put breaks on.
However, if we step back and take a look at how our recent habits have been affecting the environment, we will be able to see that the concept of owning more than we strive for is the biggest problem in this case. We all need to change the way we perceive fashion. It is about owning less but owning good. Switching to natural and sustainable materials is a great way to start. Instead of spending money on an absurd amount of clothes, buy what you need. Buy good and buy ethical so it lasts longer and is not harmful to the environment, while also being fashionable! Contradictory to popular belief, sustainability has nothing to do with a compromise in quality. Practicing sustainability in fashion can always go hand in hand with using fashion as a way of expression. Invest in heritage and natural textiles, exquisite handcrafted fabrics, and garments that are timeless. India’s very own indigenous fabric ‘Khadi’ is the finest example of sustainable textile.
EXPERIMENT WITH LOOKS
The beauty and joy of fashion don’t come from owning the first look of ‘it’ designers every single time. As much it is about a new line every season, it is also very much about experimenting with looks, styling yourself, and discovering your signature. This not only brings the best out of an individual, but it also instills confidence and saves one from investing in a whole lot of fashion merchandise that might just not be them.
It is okay to repeat your clothing. In India, we believe in cherishing our wardrobe over a certain period, it is only now that other parts of the world are discovering the same when a royalty or a celebrity chooses to repeat their outfit and it makes big positive fashion news!
One can explore their innovative side by creating interesting mix n match combinations and widening their wardrobe that may in fact house a few versatile pieces, some classics, and a few trendy. Just have fun and discover a new fresh you every time you step out, you need not make an appearance in a repeated monotonous look just because you have pledged sustainability and are cutting down on numbers in your closet.
ACCESSORISE
Better than hoarding on clothing, it is good to add and update accessories in your collections more often than apparel as they are more lasting, add and rework looks easily, can be passed on for longer use, and these too come in a lot of sustainable options.
SPREADING AWARENESS
People talk about the aspect of sustainability in a lot of fields but in the field of fashion and textiles, the discussions have just begun and we have a long way to go to undo the damage we have been causing. Pledging our bit is commendable and a starting point, we must all carry this initiative to spread the word about practicing sustainability and calling out the brands that do not. Only then can we bring a change that we want to see.