It’s no new news that plastic has become a real problem for our planet and its future. While we contemplate our role in shaping a healthier environment through our consumption habits, it’s important to recognize that the change must move beyond ditching plastic straws. Your shoe “problem” might be more of a problem than you realize. The fashion industry itself is responsible for 10% of global emissions, but fortunately, there’s a growing movement toward adopting sustainable practices within the sector. By using resources more efficiently and reducing pollution, the fashion industry can make significant strides toward a more positive future.
Every July, people around the world embrace Plastic-Free Month, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and adopting a lifestyle that is more mindful of the environment. This initiative is about more than just swapping out plastic bottles and opting for biodegradable coffee cups. It’s a celebration of our collective efforts to make positive, environmentally conscious choices every day.
The over-consumption of plastic materials has filtered into the fashion industry, with fast fashion and oil-based synthetic fabrics. The water and energy consumption of the manufacturing process and the release of toxic chemicals further contribute to a negative environmental impact, so what can we do about it?
We can start by turning away from garments made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and instead opt for more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, viscose, or lyocell, which are more breathable, versatile and perfect for warm weather wardrobes. Another summer-friendly sustainable fabric option is linen, which derives from the flax plant and brings a natural look with a laid-back touch to sophisticated looks. Aside from conventional cotton, opting for recycled cotton and other recycled materials and fibers can be a more waste-mindful option. When you are shopping for recycled synthetic fabrics, keep in mind that they should make up at least 50% of the fabric and materials composition to improve their impact.
Conscious fashion is however more than just the fabric the clothes are made of. To ensure a truly conscious approach, it’s essential to consider all aspects, including the raw materials, working conditions, and the production process.
Conscious Materials: from Tradition to Innovation
There are many reasons why we should move away from plastic materials as a society and instead opt for more natural materials. To name a few, the production process itself has various negative impacts on the environment, from washing processes that use large amounts of water, to dyeing processes that use and release toxic chemicals into rivers leading to contamination. Once the clothes are made, it is estimated that washing garments made of synthetic fabrics releases an annual amount of 500 million tons of microfibers into the ocean. This means that beyond the creation of the materials themselves, the negative environmental impacts continue down the line as long as we buy and continue to wear clothing that includes plastic in its composition. Fortunately, there is an array of natural fibers and innovative plastic-free materials that offer us better alternatives. Some of the most classic and commonly known plant-based fibers include cotton, linen, and hemp while other commonly found natural fibers derived from animal origins include wool and silk. With today’s technology and ingenuity, there have been various innovations in the world of textiles, such as the creation of plant-based fabrics made of cellulose derivatives that include viscose/rayon, Tencel/lyocell, cupro, and modal. Other innovations include leather alternatives which generate materials made from mushroom and pineapple (pinatex).
Conscious Clothing: How to Make Your Wardrobe Plastic-Free
If you’re striving to have a plastic-free wardrobe, be mindful of the fabric composition of the clothing you buy. One of the easiest ways to check for plastics in clothing is by checking the care label inside the garment. Look out for any plant-based fibers: The higher the percentage, the better. Steer clear of synthetic fabrics such as nylon, elastane, acrylic, Spandex, Lycra, and any “poly” fabric like polyester, polyamide, and polyurethane. You can’t go wrong with a breathable 100% Cotton dress for hot summer months, like the strapless cotton maxi dress from Matteau. For a relaxed, but coordinated look, opt for the Toteme Monogram pajama set made from an organic cotton and Lyocell blend. For denim, go plastic-free with elastane-free, organic cotton jeans from Toteme or 100% cotton L32 Columbia low-waist regular cargo pants from Carhartt WIP. One of the pillars of sustainable fashion is taking good care of your clothes to ensure that your clothes last as long as possible. This way the number of garments that end up in landfills is reduced. Aftercare tips include turning jeans inside out before washing them to preserve the color, drying silk garments on hangers to avoid any permanent misshapes from drying pegs and storing organic cotton out of direct sunlight to avoid discoloration.
Conscious Bags: Between Design and Respect for the Planet
When it comes to bags that challenge the status quo, one stands out amongst the others as the vegan “IT” bag: the iconic Falabella bag by Stella McCartney. Launched in 2009, the Falabella became the first high-end luxury bag that didn’t use any leather. Since then, it has evolved as the brand strives to develop and improve its production process and material use. Some of the innovative materials used by Stella McCartney include VEGEA, made from the by-products of grapes from Italian wineries, and MIRUM®, a plastic-free, fossil fuel-free, and water-free leather alternative, crafted from plant-based, fully circular materials that can be recycled or returned to the Earth as nutrients. Besides the range of cruelty and plastic-free bags from Stella McCartney, there are other options to explore. The iconic chainmail Nano 1969 bag from Rabanne, for example, is made from 100% brass. If you prefer something a little more laid-back you can rock a 100% cotton canvas tote bag from Marc Jacobs, or opt for the perfect summer bag in raffia, opting for a plastic-free model like the Large Woody paper tote bag from Chloé.
Plastic-Free Accessories: a Conscious Lifestyle You can Take with You
Besides bags, there are other ways to always carry plastic-free accessories with you. If you want to go plastic-free, opt for materials such as wood, bamboo, aluminum, or cork. Try out sunglasses made from metal or bio-acetate from brands like Velvet Canyon, Miu Miu and Stella McCartney that look just as good on the beach as they do on city sidewalks. Instead of heavily treated leather belts, try a metal chain belt from the likes of Versace, and you certainly can’t go wrong with a luxurious silk scarf from Gucci or a printed silk bandeau from Etro that flawlessly marries luxury-level natural fabrics with next-level design aesthetics. Integrate plastic-free lifestyle accessories into your self-care habits with baseball hats in 100% cotton or raffia from Ganni to keep you protected from the sun’s harmful rays and stainless steel plastic bottle alternatives from 24bottles that will keep you hydrated without excess waste. Luckily for us, not only are these items more mindful in their use of plastic-free materials, but there is also an increasing focus on design and style.
Vintage Fashion: a Sustainable Choice
At the end of the day, the most sustainable clothing is the clothing that already exists. We can supplement our wardrobes with luxury secondhand and designer vintage clothes. It is estimated that we currently have enough clothes on the planet to dress the next 6 generations, so don’t be so quick to write off pre-loved fashion alternatives. LuisaViaRoma x Vestiaire Collective is a partnership made to give your most-loved pieces a second life. You can submit your preloved items using our simple form and, if both parties are happy with the offer, you will receive a voucher to shop on LuisaViaRoma. There are so many ways to be more conscious with your fashion choices, from going cruelty and plastic-free to taking care of your clothes and shopping secondhand and vintage. Take your look in the right direction with conscious fashion choices in honor of Plastic-Free Month at LuisaViaRoma.
