Looking good and feeling confident is important for everyone, but it's especially key for women. Unfortunately, some aspects of looking good–such as buying clothes–come with a high environmental cost. The good news is that there are ways to shop sustainably and look great doing it.
Today, we'll be exploring everything you need to know about sustainable fashion and why you should shop sustainably.
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion refers to clothing, shoes, and accessories that are made from sustainable materials and produced in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
Sustainable fashion brands often use recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or post-consumer waste, to make their products. At Obaku, our KAFFE watch is crafted from recycled coffee, helping to promote sustainability and reduce waste.
Why is sustainable fashion important?
Unfortunately, the fashion industry is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the world, contributing to climate change and ocean acidification as a result of synthetic materials such as polyester.
Sustainable fashion can reduce pollution as well as avoid contributing to the exploitation of factory workers, who are often put at risk by unsafe working conditions, long hours, and underpayment.
Another reason sustainable fashion is important is that it supports fair labor practices around the world. Sustainable companies often use eco-friendly materials and pay workers living wages, treating employees with dignity and respect.
In addition, sustainable fashion is also good for biodiversity and animal welfare. Many conventional clothing brands use animal-derived materials such as leather and fur, but sustainable fashion brands often use more ethically sourced fabrics, such as cotton or soybean.
How can you tell if a brand is sustainable?
To tell if a brand is sustainable, you should look for certain signs.
First, look for brands that have been certified by independent sustainability organizations such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Fair Labor Association (FLA). Certification can be an indication that a company abides by international standards and takes sustainability seriously.
Second, look for brands that use eco-friendly materials in their products. Sustainable fashion often uses organic cotton and recycled polyester instead of traditional synthetic materials.
You may want to avoid buying products made from silk, wool, fur, or leather because these are often produced using harmful practices for animals and workers alike.
Finally, support brands that run ethically sourced supply chains. A good sustainable fashion brand should be transparent about where its materials come from and how they are produced.
Red flags to look out for - fast fashion:
Fast fashion is a term used to describe clothing that is produced in large quantities quickly and cheaply. Unfortunately, fast fashion often comes at the expense of workers' rights and environmental sustainability. Here are some red flags to look out for:
The brand has inconsistent quality. Inconsistent quality is often a sign that a company is cutting corners to produce clothing quickly and cheaply.
The brand is not transparent about its supply chain. A sustainable fashion brand should be transparent about where it sources its materials and how they are produced.
If a company isn't willing to share this information, you may want to consider if that's a brand you can trust.
The price is too good to be true. When shopping sustainably, it's important to pay attention to the quality of your purchase as well as the price.
If a brand is selling an item of clothing for much cheaper than other similar brands, that's usually a sign that the company is not paying its workers fairly or using sustainable materials.
Get started:
Obaku is a sustainable fashion brand that uses eco-friendly materials and supports fair labor practices around the world.
To learn more about Obaku, check out our website or follow us on social media. And to explore other sustainable fashion brands, try doing a quick online search for "sustainable fashion." You're sure to find plenty of great options!
