by Last year, in the interest of a sustainable fashion, I connected a promise to only buy five new clothes. Although I saw myself as someone who didn’t really buy, I found the restriction a real task. If you do not buy a vintage or spend a fortune, the dilemma is how you can get involved with the fun and novelty of fashion without contributing to your ecological footprint, and it turns out that almost universal: data in a new report reveal that 74% of people want to dress more sustainably, but most do not know how to get away.
The report published by retailer Zalando with several Brander-Ergors that 39% of consumers say sustainable clothing too expensive and 27% say that they are difficult to identify. It is no wonder that a sustainable fashion of vague claims, confused supply chains and a call-out culture, in which brands are reluctant to promote initiatives in initiatives.
“People are more committed than they are attributed to them,” says Pascal Brun, Vice President of Zalando of sustainability and D&I almost two decades after a sustainable fashion that enter the mainstream discourse, most people are a certain awareness of the environmental effects of the industry – carbon emissions, dirt of water, self -ization, microplastics, microplastics, Waste. You probably also know that these negative effects are produced by the mere product volume of the product, which is produced every year (somewhere between 80 and 150 billion clothes), and the increasing proportion of fossil centers (polyester in 2024).
The increasing popularity of ultra-strength, ultra-fast fashion brands such as Shein and Temu (the goals of the past week) bring the dilemma into a strong focus. However, this new data show that despite all the best intentions that it is not clear where and how to buy with a reduced effects. So how do you buy almost inexpensive, sustainable clothing?
The starting point is of course vintage, the sales of which, according to Thredup’s annual resale report, rose by 15% in 2024. Ebay data suggests that users are looking for more than 1,200 times a minute for “vintage” positions. In view of the size restrictions and the time required to search the racks, second hand clothing is not always practical.
The context is important when buying new clothing, says the author and fashion teacher Andrea Cheong. “What is financially accessible for people will vary, as well as sustainable.” Instead of concentrating on brands, it suggests buying the best quality of the article that can absorb your budget. In this way you will actually wear it. To evaluate the quality, apply three criteria. At first do not buy anything that contains a synthetic or semi -synthetic mix. Second, the garment must look as good from the inside as on the outside (small stitches, decent seams, not synthetic lining). And thirdly, it must be suitable for purposes (leggings that are supported for training, which you warm, your bags deep and robust enough to keep your phone).
Detail is your friend. Gazette made of a single natural fiber (100% cotton, linen or wool) are easier to recycle and generally more durable. When a brand uses sustainable materials, tell them-and deliver the Nitty Gritty; Specification is the enemy of greenwashing. Look for certification of third-party providers that promote the safe use of chemicals such as Bluesign and Oeko-Tex or regenerative or organic agricultural practices such as the responsible wool standard and global organic textile standard (GOTS) or the absorption of recycling insights such as the global recycl standard.
Similarly, when a brand has commissioned suppliers with closed systems (for recycling water and chemicals) and renewable energies that pay a livelihood wage, these details, especially the factory, will contain the factory on their website. This is a detail that shows a level of trust, transparency and self -confidence. In addition, brands receive bonus points for repair, rental and resale programs.
When building a sustainable wardrobe, it is important to take a long look. Cheong suggests that the clothing are already being rejected by changing or learning how to repair them professionally. Soyo, for example work with brands such as M&S, Reiss and Selfridges.
But that’s not always practical. If it is really time to buy something new, there are several brands based in Great Britain, producing clothing that are gently on both bank credit and on the planet. Here are some:
Yes friends
This brand based in the UK had a goal when they were founded: to make sustainable clothing affordable. Now they produce a number of organic cotton and linen clothing and certified factories in India in Fairtrade, which are solar companies, one of which recycles 100% of its waste water. You have also done a bonus program for clothing workers to ensure that they are paid well. T-shirts start at £ 12, the linen dresses are £ 38.
Almost new cashmere
This brand based in Great Britain produces a number of recycled cashmere vests (£ 95) and wraps (£ 85). These are sold together with a wide range of restored cashmere t-shirts, jumpers and hoodies (£ 34 to 280).
Rapanui
A brand inspired by surfing that produces a number of everyday clothing for men, women and children. Your materials are natural, regenerative or recycled and Oeko-Tex certified. The clothing is produced in a factory in India, which is powered by renewable energies and closed systems. Graphics are printed in a facility on the Isle of Wight on Demand. They also offer a reparation program for reuse and recycling. The Brands-T-Shirts start at 18 GBP, but are available in multi-packs in order to obtain an even better value. Jackets start at £ 60 and hoodies at £ 35.
Noctu
Noctus simple organic cotton pyjamas are produced in England. The range includes shorts, t-shirt and overalls for men, women and children who are minimal and stylish enough to carry out of the house. Shorts and T-shirts start at £ 35, clothes and overalls cost up to £ 75.
Kohr
This brand for the brand produces everything in its own house, from the mainly not Undyed organic cotton, linen and bamboo suppliers of Oeko-Tex-certified suppliers. The prices start at £ 45 for a T-shirt and are up to £ 205 for shirt and £ 130 for joggers. The prices reflect their commitment to “macrotrends that last at least 10 years”. This is fashion speaks for objects that do not get out of fashion.
To read the full version of this newsletter -completely with the trend topics this week in the measure and your wardrobe -dilemas -count a fashion mode in your inbox every Thursday.
Do you have your own style question? Send it to fidstatement@theguardian.com.
