Five Strategies for a More Ecologically Responsible Fashion Future

“Sustainable fashion is not a passing trend; it is the way of the future.”

In recent decades, sustainability has become a term in every industry. It is no different in the apparel and fashion industries, which are likewise confronting issues in terms of sustainable development. Although enterprises are demonstrating their commitment to the subject at hand, the power remains with consumers. Let us look at what the statistics reveal.

According to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the fashion industry’s water consumption is expected to soar by 50% by 2030, and its carbon emissions will rise to 2,790 million metric tons, with fashion waste expected to reach 148 million tonnes. It’s disturbing. Isn’t it? If customers’ fashion patterns do not alter in the upcoming years, the scenario may worsen.

“As consumers, we have so much potential to revolutionize the world simply by being cautious about what we purchase.”

Five ways that will lead fashion to a more sustainable and friendly future are listed below:

  1. Second-hand shopping

Nowadays, consumers are more inclined to shop at second-hand stores. These shoppers can be labeled as smart shoppers considering they are not only saving money but also reusing, which is environmentally sustainable, by purchasing second-hand garments and accessories. As a result, designers and retailers have shifted their focus to second-hand apparel.

2. On-Demand & Custom Clothing

Customers prefer on-demand and personalized apparel because it is distinctive, customizable, trendy, and has an ideal fit. To get closer to their customers, manufacturers and retailers are personalizing the entire consumer purchasing experience. Eco-conscious shoppers prefer personalized clothes to mass-production clothing to conserve natural resources and raw materials and to support ethical and sustainable fashion.

3. Fair and ethical fashion

Fair and ethical fashion are interwoven. The fashion industry has long been cruel to animals, workers, and the ecosystem. And, is it not our(consumers’) duty to be more interested in fair and ethical design? manufacturers are constantly finding new ways to make fashion more moral and cruelty-free. Furthermore, today’s fashion is more concerned with veganism, renewability, sustainability, and socially beneficial clothing. Brands, customers, and even the government are taking numerous steps to ensure that the clothing line is entirely fair and ethical, with a comprehensive production process.

4. Repair, Redesign, and Upcycle Fashion

Consumers, manufacturers, and merchants are adhering to the fashion 5 R’s: Reduce, Repair, Recycle, Repurpose, and Reinvent. Clothes that are impossible to be repaired can be recycled or remade with an entirely new look. This preserves raw materials and natural resources. We should support businesses that are assisting in the management of fashion waste and making the sector more sustainable. Upcycling fashion makes use of both pre- and post-consumer waste to develop new creations. The approach reuses old clothes without requiring them to be recycled.

5. Clean & Green Fashion

Destructive fashion is no longer tolerable in the age of materialism. Consumers are caring for the earth by emphasizing eco-fashion. Green products are made from regenerative materials, whereas clean means – natural or synthetic, which are not toxic to our health. Chemicals are not used in non-toxic goods. As a result, they can boost the Planet’s vitality. Therefore, it’s our (consumers’) responsibility to promote clean and green fashion.

“Fashion that is ethical and sustainable is not an outcome. It’s a form of practice. Everyone is welcome to get involved. There is no compulsion to purchase. And so you can begin right away.


Ritika Behera is a sophomore Chemical Engineering student at NIT Rourkela in Odisha. She enjoys reading literature, creative writing, volunteering, and teaching.