The fashion industry is one of the most influential industries in the world, with a global market value of approximately $1.5 trillion. However, it is also one of the most polluting industries, responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions and 20% of the world’s water waste. And as the world becomes increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion, sustainable fashion is becoming more popular. However, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding sustainable fashion.
There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the topic of sustainable fashion, and it’s important to know what is true and false. In this article, we will debunk the top 16 sustainable fashion myths. Tag along to learn more.
Sustainability is too expensive
You may think sustainability is too expensive, and this is often the claim for many, but that simply isn’t true. Sustainability is all about making smarter purchases that add value to your wardrobe and won’t break your bank. By focusing on clothes with longer lifespans—that won’t need replacing after a few wears—you can save money in the long run while investing in pieces you feel good about wearing.
Plus, there are plenty of affordable sustainable fashion brands out there. From vintage finds on Depop and Etsy to sustainable fashion labels such as People Tree and Sea Salt, there are a dazzling array of options for all budgets. Furthermore, with so many wonderful secondhand shops popping up across the United States and online, you have tons of options if you’re looking for even more affordable sustainable fashion.
Sustainable materials are low quality
You may think that sustainable materials should be of lower quality, but the exact opposite is actually true. Sustainable materials are often very high-quality—like hemp and bamboo are some of the strongest fibers out there.
Sustainable fashion is not fashionable
Another common misconception about sustainable fashion is that it is not fashionable. This is simply not true. Sustainable fashion brands are constantly innovating and creating stylish, on-trend clothing that is also eco-friendly. Many sustainable fashion brands are also committed to using high-quality, durable materials, which means that their clothing lasts longer and stays in style longer.
Sustainable fashion is not accessible to plus-size women
Another myth about sustainable fashion is that it is not accessible to plus-size women. While it is true that the fashion industry has historically excluded plus-size women, there are many sustainable fashion brands that cater to all sizes. These brands are committed to creating clothing that is not only eco-friendly but also inclusive and accessible to all.
Only large companies can produce sustainable fashion
One of the most common sustainability myths is that only large companies can produce sustainable fashion. While it is true that larger companies have more resources to invest in sustainability initiatives, there are many options available to smaller companies, too.
Investing in sustainable materials
Smaller companies typically have more flexibility with their production process, which allows them to invest in higher-quality, sustainable materials than large brands may be able to afford. Smaller brands can also go the extra mile when it comes to tracking down ethically sourced materials, as well as retailers who are passionate about ethical trading practices.
Utilizing sustainable production methods
In addition to using sustainable materials, smaller brands can also take advantage of sustainable production methods that larger companies may not have access to. For example, smaller businesses are in a better position to make use of local resources such as recycled or upcycled fabrics and natural dyes — something that may be cost-prohibitive for a large company operating on a massive scale.
Not only do smaller businesses have access to these resources but they are also able to leverage their close-knit networks of local collaborators and suppliers for manufacturing processes like cutting and stitching, resulting in a product with vastly reduced carbon footprint.
Certain certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) require that a company’s production processes meet certain environmental standards — something many smaller companies can achieve without having access to specialized tools and machinery.
When it comes down to it, size isn’t everything. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability, small fashion brands can adopt creative solutions and utilize local resources that larger companies may not even have access to — making them just as capable of producing sustainably sourced fashion items.
Sustainable fashion is only for women
Another myth about sustainable fashion is that it is only for women. This is not true at all. There are many sustainable fashion brands that cater to men and children as well. Sustainable fashion is for everyone who wants to make a positive impact on the environment and society.
Sustainable fashion is only for vegans
Another common misconception about sustainable fashion is that it is only for vegans. While it is true that many sustainable fashion brands are committed to using animal-free materials, there are also sustainable fashion brands that use responsibly sourced animal products.
Sustainable fashion is difficult to find
Some believe that sustainable fashion is difficult to find, and that it requires a lot of research and effort to find sustainable clothing options. While it is true that sustainable fashion can require a bit of research, there are also many sustainable fashion brands and options available. Additionally, there are many resources available online, such as sustainable fashion blogs and directories, that make it easy to find sustainable fashion options.
Sustainable fashion is only for special occasions
Many people believe that sustainable fashion is only suitable for special occasions, such as weddings or formal events. This is actually not the case. Sustainable fashion brands create clothing for all occasions, from casual wear to formal wear. Additionally, sustainable fashion is not just about the clothing itself, but also about the production and manufacturing process, which means that even everyday clothing can be eco-friendly.
Sustainable fashion is not versatile
There are claims that sustainable fashion is not versatile, and that it is difficult to create a variety of looks using sustainable clothing. However, sustainable fashion brands create clothing in a variety of styles and designs, and many sustainable pieces can be mixed and matched to create a variety of looks.
Donating clothes to charity is always sustainable
While donating clothes to charity is a kind gesture, it is not always the most sustainable option. In fact, many donated clothes end up in landfills or are shipped overseas to developing countries, where they can harm local textile industries. It is important to donate clothes responsibly and only when they are in good condition, or to consider other options such as upcycling or recycling.
Sustainable fashion is only for minimalists
Another misconception about sustainable fashion is that it is only for minimalists. While minimalism and sustainability often go hand in hand, sustainable fashion can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their personal style. Sustainable fashion is about making more conscious choices and reducing waste, not about limiting personal expression.
It’s impossible to make affordable, eco-friendly fashion
Do you think sustainable fashion has to be expensive? Not true! You can totally make high-quality eco-friendly clothing, and still make it affordable for everyone. Here’s how:
Low-impact materials
It all starts with using low-impact materials like organic cotton, hemp and even man-made materials like polyester that’s made from recycled plastic. All of these are incredibly affordable, while still being sustainable and friendly to the environment.
Manufacturing processes
Many sustainable companies use digital printing to create their designs instead of traditional screen printing, which saves both energy and water during production.
You can also reuse byproducts from other processes and fabrics during production — for example, cutting off scraps from t-shirts and reusing them as patches or decorations on other garments instead of simply throwing them away.
Sustainable Business Practices
By taking steps like reducing packaging waste or using eco-friendly shipping options like carbon offsetting or reusable mailers, clothing manufacturers can add value without racking up any additional cost — making their products more affordable in the long run.
Ethical and organic materials are the same thing
Another common sustainable fashion myth is labeling ethical and organic materials as the same thing. While many times these two are linked, they are in fact different.
Organic materials refer to fabric created from natural sources such as cotton, silk, wool and hemp. It’s important to remember that these materials are grown organically but not necessarily ethically. It’s very common for organic fibers to be produced by farming processes that do not take into account the well being of workers or animal welfare. By contrast, when a brand uses ethical materials, it means that its suppliers are taking extra steps to ensure that workers and animals are taken care of properly and given fair wages or treated humanely.
So while organic materials may be harvested in an environmentally friendly way without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, it may not be ethical in terms of labor practices and animal welfare standards—for example, some non-organic cotton companies may pay their workers fair wages even though they are using non-organic cotton production methods.
The takeaway here is this: when shopping for sustainable fashion items, make sure you pay attention to both the organic and ethical aspect of any products you’re considering purchasing. Don’t just look at how it was made, but also where and by whom it was made too!
You’ll want to look for brands that prioritize ethical labor practices, or better yet, support organizations working to improve safety standards in countries around the world. Luckily there are a number of companies leading the charge here—brands like Prabal Gurung, Reformation and Stella McCartney all place a high value on ethical practices and sustainability.
Durable clothing isn’t necessary if it’s eco-friendly
You might think that if a piece of clothing is eco-friendly, it doesn’t have to be durable. Unfortunately, that’s yet another myth about sustainable fashion. Sustainable eco-friendly clothing can and should be designed to last longer than its fast-fashion counterparts.
When manufacturers take the extra time and effort to consider sustainability when producing their product, they should also put extra thought into how long the garment will last. This includes using better quality materials, reinforcing seams and other details, sizing the garment carefully so it won’t stretch out of shape over time, and even employing methods like triple stitching for extra reinforcement at pressure points like shoulder seams or cuffs.
Manufacturers and consumers alike have a duty to ensure that sustainable fashion is created with durability in mind. It’s important to research which fabrics are most durable while still being sustainable — this could include organic cotton or bamboo blends — as well as considering things like triple stitching and better quality closures like metal buttons or zippers instead of plastic ones which can become brittle over time.
Look for garments that are designed well by companies you know use ethical manufacturing processes in an effort to increase their longevity in your wardrobe.
Fast fashion is cheaper than sustainable brands
You might think that you are getting a better deal with fast fashion brands but, guess what? That’s not necessarily true. On the surface, it may appear that the prices of sustainable fashion labels are higher than that of fast fashion items because sustainable fabrics can be more expensive. However, if you look at the cost per wear metric — meaning, how much an item costs you for each time you wear it — your wallet will be saving a lot for choosing sustainable apparel in the long run.
Sustainable garments tend to be more expensive due to its use of resources such as organic fabrics and production processes that tend to be labor-intensive and involve multiple steps. On the other hand, fast fashion brands are able to produce clothing quickly and cheaply because production is less resource-intensive as they typically use cheaper synthetic materials and mass-produced techniques. But due to the quality of fabrics used and construction techniques employed, sustainable garments often last for years or even decades. This means that with each wear, you’ll gain a financial return on your purchase without compromising your style or your values.
Ultimately, investing in better quality clothing from sustainable sources may become even more cost efficient than buying from fast fashion brands:
- The average price per wear of higher quality clothing from sustainable sources is far lower than fast fashion items
- The added cost in investment may add up to similar or less than buying several cheaper items over a few years
- Furthermore there are plenty of discounts available on high-end sustainable clothing so keep an eye out for those!
Buying from a good brand is enough
It’s easy to think that buying from a well-known and respected fashion brand is enough for making an ethical shopping decision. After all, these brands have a good reputation for sustainability, so you can tick that box and move on. But there’s more to it.
It’s true that some brands do make sustainability pledges, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re meeting them. Just because a brand says it’s sustainable, doesn’t mean it actually is. Sure, you can make sure the materials used—whether natural or synthetic—come from sustainable sources, and the production process is compliant with social and environmental standards. But that’s only half the battle. The other half has to do with how long the clothing will last: no matter how sustainable something is when it gets made, if it constantly needs replacing, then it can’t be considered ‘sustainable’.
So even if you buy from an ethical brand, there are still more factors you need to consider when determining whether or not your purchase is truly sustainable:
- Does the material used in the clothing last? Natural materials like cotton or wool can be durable and resist wear better than man-made fabrics like polyester or nylon.
- Is the item built to last? You should expect items from ethical fashion brands to have good construction and seams that will stand up to regular use without wearing out quickly or coming apart easily.
- Is its care instructions eco-friendly? Look for companies who recommend eco-friendly cleaning options like hand washing and line drying instead of energy draining machines like washing machines and dryers for better sustainability performance of your garments over time..
- Does the company have a commitment towards circularity? Whether it’s by offering repair services or providing guidance on how customers can keep their clothes looking great longer through proper upkeep, these are all small steps that add up when opting for sustainability.
- Manufacturing processes: Are their manufacturing processes transparent? Do they use renewable energy sources during the production process?
- Waste management systems: Do they have effective waste management systems in place for their factories and other operations?
- Social accountability: Are there rigorous standards in place for their workers and suppliers in order to ensure ethical labor practices?
Also keep an eye out for certifications and labels — such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) or Fairtrade — which indicate that a brand meets certain standards of sustainability. However, don’t be fooled by false claims! Be sure to look into whether the certification or label is from an independent body that actually verifies the company’s claims.
Your clothes were made in the country listed on the tag
It is a common misconception that the country listed on the tag of your clothes indicates the origin of the entire production process. While it is true that the clothes may have been assembled in that country, the tag fails to disclose the intricate chain of labor involved in manufacturing them.
The truth is that the label on your clothes is only a small piece of information that reveals limited information about the garment. It does not reveal where the cotton used in the garment was farmed, where the fiber was spun into yarn, where the yarn was woven into a fabric, where the fabric was dyed and printed, or the various stages of transportation and manufacturing that the garment went through before reaching the store.
Many clothes are produced through a global supply chain, with different stages of production taking place in different countries.
Raising worker pay will raise customer pricing
You might think it’s inevitable that raising the wages of workers in sustainable fashion production would lead to a price increase for consumers. However, don’t be fooled by this sustainable fashion myth. The reality is that if you improve working conditions and raise the wage of workers, it can have a positive impact on a company’s overall profit margin.
Lower cost of operation
Organizations that pay their employees more can often benefit from better productivity as workers become more motivated with improved wages. Moreover, raising pay can also help attract better talent and reduce costs associated with training for new hires. All of this leads to lower overhead expenses for sustainable fashion producers and ultimately higher profits for them.
Changing consumer perspective
When you think about it, consumers are usually in favor of paying more for quality crafted items with eco-friendly materials. By improving the working conditions for employees producing those items, companies can charge a premium price due to the fact the premium quality item was ethically produced and supported financially by customers who are conscious about their buying habits.
The bottom line is that raising worker pay should not be viewed as an expense but rather an investment—in both employee loyalty and building up the customer base. Apparel producers then stand to gain more as customers know they’re buying ethically sourced fashion every time they shop with them. Companies are ultimately responsible for creating a safe work environment and fairly compensating their workforce.
Customers will support them when they prioritize these values:
- Educate people on the cost of production
- Champion ethical standards in all aspects of the company, including material sourcing
- Invest in technology & practices that ensure fairness & transparency to workers & customers
Sustainable fashion is only about clothing
Finally, one common misconception about sustainable fashion is that it is only about clothing. While sustainable clothing is an important part of sustainable fashion, it is not the only component. Sustainable fashion also encompasses sustainable production practices, ethical labor practices, and sustainable materials. Additionally, sustainable fashion is not just about the clothing industry – it is also about challenging the consumer culture that fuels the fast fashion industry, and promoting a more mindful approach to consumption and waste.
Conclusion
Sustainable fashion is not a passing trend, but rather a necessary shift in the fashion industry that is vital for the health of our planet and society. While there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding sustainable fashion, it is important to recognize that sustainable fashion is for everyone, regardless of their style, budget, or lifestyle. Through challenging these myths and engaging in sustainable fashion practices, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry.
