Sustainable Fashion: What Is New In 2022?

The fashion industry is constantly changing and evolving with the times. With that, people are constantly changing in their sense of fashion and wondering the impact their clothes might have on the environment. So some may ask, what is the environmental impact of my clothes? What are the materials that have been used in the past? These questions have become more widely asked as consumers hunt for new trendy outfits for their closet.

1. The Rise Of Resale

If you open your app store on your phone, you have probably seen the countless resale apps out there right now. Shopping sustainably doesn’t have to mean buying something new, in fact, second-hand clothes can be great for the environment and for your bank account with apps like Poshmark, ThredUP, Depop and more. Did you know that the average American throws away about 80 pounds of clothing annually? Think about the amount of money that potentially equates to! 

Another benefit of second-hand shopping is the number of unique pieces you will be able to find. Many celebrities and influencers are jumping on the trend of reselling their own clothes, including high-dollar items, that will instantly allow you to stand out from other fast-fashion pieces. Along with the resale of items, you can also rent garments from designer brands at a lower price. With sites like HURR and Rotaro, you can choose an item you want to wear, rent it for several days and return the garment. It’s that easy! No need to buy items specifically for the events you have coming up.

2. Less Is More

Quality over quantity. You have probably heard this repeatedly, and it rings true with fashion as well. When you shift to a mindset of purchasing pieces for their quality instead of just an addition to your collection, you will notice how many pieces actually have multiple functions. A current trend is called “the capsule wardrobe.” These essentially are items in your closet that are meant to last for years and can be mixed and matched together - no matter the occasion. Some even say you can get your wardrobe down to less than 40 items! Take for example a high-quality white blouse. This piece can be worn to work, meetings or a nice dinner. Less is definitely more in terms of sustainable fashion. 

3. Recycling

Check your favorite store to see if they have a recycling program! Patagonia has a program called “Worn Wear” that allows you to trade in your worn Patagonia clothes for repair and re-sell, and the best part of it is that you get credit in return. Levi’s has a partnership with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green that accepts any old pair of jeans to shred and turn them into housing insulation. Not only that, but they also give you a 20% discount on one item! In 2019, H&M collected enough fabric through their recycling program to create what equals 145 million T-shirts. Overall, there are many brands that have a program on their own that would be beneficial for you to take part in. 

4. Reusable Packaging

A well-known brand, Glossier, packages every order in their iconic pink pouch. It has become very popular among customers and an excellent way to implement reusable packaging. Another great way for the fashion industry to reduce plastic is by focusing on hangers. A company called Arch & Hook has actually launched a hanger made from recycled marine plastics. This seems like the most effective way to reduce carbon footprint since plastic hangers are essentially equal to restaurants’ plastic straws. 

5. Less Harmful Dyes

One aspect you may not have considered before is the number of harsh chemicals inside our fabrics. These damage ecosystems due to the pollution of waterways. However, a recent partnership between PANGAIA and Colorifix has replicated DNA codes found in nature to create dyes that have zero harmful chemicals, using less water and energy. Along with this issue, the overuse of cotton and plastic synthetic fibers throughout the manufacturing process contributes to destroying the environment. For one single ton of dyed cotton, it takes 200 tons of water that becomes polluted and often cannot be reused. Therefore, it is essential for brands to create intelligent fabrics that eliminate waste. Through all of the shifts in technology, the fashion supply chain should become more advanced and eco-friendly as time goes on. 

Make the Move Towards Sustainability

If you are looking to begin your sustainability journey, there are multiple ways to start. I hope this has been encouraging for you to begin doing your part, and contributing less to the amount of environmental harm. You can easily start small by creating a donate pile. Rather than throwing away your clothes, start looking for ways to give back or resell them! As well as ways to purchase second-hand items. Those are two simple steps to start shopping sustainably. As always thank you for reading. I hope learning more about ways your favorite brands can contribute to this process, as well as you. Please share any thoughts you have! I love you all.

- Sherri Dickens