Sustainability is becoming a bigger and more critical topic across society, and when it comes to consumer choice, fashion offers everyday people a unique opportunity to make eco-friendly choices. For those looking to truly understand what it means to dress ethically and eco-consciously, we’ve put together this essential guide.
With AWDis, you can learn not only what sustainable clothing is but also how to make informed purchasing decisions that align with your values and contribute to a healthier planet.
Setting Our Sights: What is Sustainable Clothing?
Before going any further, let’s begin by defining precisely what we’re talking about. What does sustainable clothing mean, and what makes a garment sustainable?
Broadly speaking, sustainable clothing is that which is manufactured with every effort made to minimize the negative impact on the environment and natural world. It can also encompass clothing that is made to be worn, reused, and recycled for years to come, reducing waste.
A primary indicator of clothing sustainability is the choice of materials. These items often use recycled or organic materials, such as cotton and other recycled fabrics, that would otherwise go into waste. These materials are also sourced in responsible ways, such as via fair trade agreements that illegalize harm to the environment or animals.
Clothing is equally made sustainable by how it is produced. These garments are often made with minimal environmental impact and waste, use as little water as possible, and employ dyes that are less harmful to the environment.
Making Eco-Friendly Choices: How to Choose Sustainable Clothing
Defining sustainable clothing is only half the battle. If you want to know how to build a sustainable wardrobe, here are our top three tips for identifying and purchasing eco-friendly clothing.
Check Labels and Descriptions
When you find the perfect outfit piece, you might naturally check a few key details, such as size, price, or color. To make a more sustainable choice, make sure you’re also checking the label or online description and identifying the materials used to make the piece. Keep an eye out for keywords like ‘organic’ or ‘recycled’ and materials like organic cotton, linen, and hemp.
While you’re checking for materials, it’s also helpful to check whether the item label or description lists any certifications that highlight how sustainably it has been produced. Popular examples include Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and TEX Standard 100.
Brand Research
If you’re struggling to find the information you need from an item’s label or description, we recommend zooming out and taking a look at the company you’re buying from. Now more than ever, the spotlight is being shone on the practices of clothing companies, and those who produce their products responsibly and ethically are incentivized to showcase it on their website, social media, and products.
When purchasing a clothing product, there are some key signifiers you can look out for on a company’s website. Are they a B-Corp company? Are they verified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)? Do they feature content or blogs on their website dedicated to sustainability or eco-conscious consumer choices? Doing a little research can quickly help you determine whether a decision to purchase from a particular source is eco-conscious.
Buy Smart, Buy Less
Buying sustainably means making sure that the impact your wardrobe has on the environment is as little as possible. The easiest way to reduce this damage? Buy less! The less clothing you buy, the smaller the effect your outfits have on the planet, but that isn’t to say that you should buy anything!
At AWDis, we treasure quality above all, and we know the key to minimizing environmental harm is to purchase durable, long-lasting products. From our high-performance Cool T to our comfy College Youth Sweats, everything we produce is made to be worn again and again, and that’s why we know that buying clothing that isn’t going to require replacing in a few months’ time is the most eco-conscious decision you can make.
Go Sustainable With AWDis: Our Eco-Friendly Picks
We all want to make a difference, and with sustainable fashion, everyone can make choices to support the planet while still looking great. At AWDis, we’re always looking to offer customizable garments that help you support your brand, team, or club as well as the planet. Here are a few of our favorite sustainable pieces.
AWDis T
As the staple of our custom apparel range, it’s only right that the AWDis T blazes the trail for our sustainable garment offering. Made from 100% organic cotton, this white piece is comfortable, easy to customize, and durable. With one purchase, this Cotton T item won’t need replacing for a long time!
Signature Heavy Hoodie
A hoodie works for almost any setting, from event merchandise to branded company apparel. Made with 10% recycled polyester, our Signature Heavy Hoodie turns waste into a garment that’s warm, durable, and perfect for a variety of design methods.
Signature Heavy Sweat
For a garment that suits any wardrobe or fashion style, you can’t go wrong with the Signature Heavy Sweat. Another durable piece made with 10% recycled polyester, this sweater is a garment you’ll purchase, customize, and wear time and time again, meaning you won’t need to think about your wardrobe’s impact any time soon.
Make Sustainable Choices With AWDis
Sustainability has never been more important in the fashion industry, and ensuring your custom apparel is good for both your brand and the planet can be challenging. With AWDis, you can trust that you’re getting the expert advice and garments to keep your wardrobe eco-friendly and design-ready.
No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got the customizable apparel you’re looking for at AWDis. Got questions? Contact us – our team is always here to help!
