5 Common Myths About Sustainable Fashion
As sustainable fashion grows increasingly popular, so do the misconceptions around it.
“It’s too costly.”
“They’re so unattractive and uninteresting…”
“Isn’t it true that the more expensive a thing is, the more sustainable it is?”
These are just a handful of common misunderstandings. Fashion and sustainability are complicated, subtle, and often difficult topics. The facts about living more sustainably are further complicated by greenwashing in marketing campaigns. Because of prevalent misconceptions regarding sustainable living and fashion, consumers may not be in the best position to make decisions.
Here are a few of the common misunderstandings that we’d like to dispel.
Myth 1: Sustainable fashion is for the rich
This is most likely one of the most widespread myths. Yes, sustainable brands are unquestionably more expensive than fast fashion ones. At the same time, it’s also worth noting that fast fashion costs are unusually low, implying that there might unethical activities and cost-cutting.
Sustainable fashion manufacturers prioritize producing well-made products from environmentally friendly and sustainable materials while offering safe working conditions and fair salaries to their employees. Such brands also engage closely with local communities to secure sustainable raw material sources, as well as pay livable salaries and provide benefits to workers. All while actively attempting to reduce carbon footprints along the supply chain.
Essentially, what you buy from those brands are long-lasting pieces that take people and the environment into consideration, resulting in higher-priced items.
Myth 2: Sustainable fashion is hard to find
This myth may have been accurate decades ago when no one was talking about sustainability.
Shoppers are becoming more mindful of their purchases and this has cleared the way for the emergence of environmentally friendly clothing manufacturers to appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Many brands are turning towards sustainable fashion as a result of the global discussion on environmental issues and sustainability. More fashion brands are working to change their fast fashion image, from implementing fabric recycling programs to sourcing sustainable materials for their products.
Myth 3: If a company claims to be environmentally friendly, they are.
Greenwashing is when a brand exaggerates or lies about its environmental or social sustainability through its marketing.
Fact: Greenwashing is more common than you believe.
Unfortunately, words like sustainable,’ ‘conscious,’ and ‘eco-friendly’ are not defined or regulated in any way. If you actually want to be a sustainable customer, you’ll have to look past the phrases and consider the exact procedures that a company uses.
What kind of dyes and materials do they use? Is it possible for them to track their supplier chain? Do they pay livable salaries and provide safe working conditions? All these are important questions to consider.
Myth 4: Sustainable fashion is basic
This notion about sustainable fashion is completely false!
The sole apparent distinction between fast fashion and sustainable clothing is that eco-friendly clothing is made to last rather than to follow constantly shifting trends.
But believe us when we say they’re far from boring!
You can get ethical clothing in a variety of colors, styles, and unique designs, so switching to sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be a compromise.
Myth 5: To be a member of the sustainable fashion movement, you must shop from sustainable fashion brands.
The anti-consumption aspect of the sustainable fashion movement is just as important as the consumption aspect.
You can help the environment by buying fewer clothes, caring for them properly, patching and repairing them, thrifting, or trading items with friends and family. All of these practices are long-lasting, and we applaud them all. Even if you buy from a sustainable, eco-friendly company, you may wind up spending less overall than if you over consume inexpensive fashion.
Wrapping Up
We hope we’ve refuted the myths about eco-friendly fashion that you may have had. Let us know if you have any additional questions about sustainable fashion in the comments below, and we’ll try to clear them up for you. Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next post, which will discuss greenwashing and how to recognize it.