Sustainability Q&A with Jade of Trades
First things first: what is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion is a type of fashion that is committed to the well-being of the planet and its people. We live in a world where trends dictate our buying habits instead of our commitment to each other and the environment. It's so incredibly easy to detach ourselves from the people behind a cute dress or a trendy sweater; it's easy to forget that people and their communities exist beyond a textile, especially when the price tag makes it "too good to be true." Unsurprisingly, yes -- these deals are too good to be true. Women and children in marginalized communities across the globe are suffering from our spending habits, and the demand is what keeps them in these harmful living conditions.
Sustainable fashion, in contrast, is a commitment to empowering these communities instead of degrading them. It's the act of recognizing that we don't need a new wardrobe every season; it's the act of buying products that will carry us through each year, because they are quality products built to last. Sustainable fashion is the movement away from fast fashion trends, harmful business practices and abundant textile waste. Committing to slow fashion trends such as the sustainable fashion movement is a movement towards a world that is rooted in ethical values rather than cute, momentary trends and wasteful habits. Trends are cute, but saving the planet and saving the people on it is cuter.
Why is sustainable fashion important?
Sustainable fashion is important because the movement addresses the harmful, wasteful practices that are dominating the fashion industry now. Buying fashion that is sustainably sourced and ethically produced allows you to vote with your dollar for a world that does not put fast fashion before our Earth or its people. Similarly, changing our consumerism habits and repurposing fabrics that have been pre-loved is important as well; there are so many textiles that are tossed into landfills on a daily basis, when they could easily find a new life with someone else that can reuse the fabric in a new, refreshed way. According to Ted Research, 95% of discarded clothing can be recycled or upcycled -- we should be making a greater effort to ensure these pieces stay out of landfills and continue to be used to their full capacity.
In addition, the movement towards a slow fashion world requires businesses to answer to their unethical business practices. One organization that particularly emphasizes asking businesses to be more transparent about their practices is The Fashion Revolution, and I encourage you to take a look around their resources. You can even take the pledge to be a part of the revolution! For a full break down of what it means to be a sustainable fashion brand and certified under Fair Trade, read here.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
Ever since I was in middle school, I frequented thrift stores for my clothes and built my wardrobe on pre-loved pieces. I always loved having things that were different and giving them a new life with my own stylistic flare. I have never been too much of a trendy person -- I mostly love pieces that are classic and timeless, and pretty much always have. In high school, I was nominated for best dressed, and I wonder if my peers even knew 95% of my closet was thrifted. So, thrifting and giving new life to textiles has always been fun to me.
However, as I've become more educated on our world and the business practices that go on within it, I have become saddened by the way in which our consumerism habits detrimentally impact the environmental integrity of our world and the quality of lives of those who make our clothes. I don't want a dress that has been made out of suffering -- I just don't. I want to vote with my dollar for a world that gives fair wages to people in marginalized communities, for a world that empowers artisans, for a world that doesn't allow harsh working conditions that causes harm to (mostly) women and children around the globe.
What are your go-to brands for sustainable clothes?
First and foremost, my favorite sources for sustainable clothes are thrift stores. There are so many treasures within thrift stores that you can find! If you don't like the somewhat disorganized style of thrift stores (I personally think that's what makes it fun, but to each their own), there are some amazing online thrift stores like ThredUP that you can try out. I've gotten some beautiful pieces from ThredUP that are not only kind to our planet, but kind to my wallet as well!
Next, I would recommend finding a local sustainably sourced business you like as well. When I lived in Phoenix, I loved Redemption Market and Revari. Their products are just my style and I love that they explain why they source each piece as well. Plus, Redemption Market has wonderful gift pieces that are ideal for your loved ones -- being able to tell your friends and family the story behind their gift is incredibly special and I'm sure they'll love knowing that their gift contributed to a better world.
All of the partners listed on my blog as well are amazing sustainable fashion brands. In addition, I've done individual brand highlights on a plethora of incredible sustainable fashion brands. Check them out here.
Are there other ways consumers can buy sustainable products?
I think there is a great misconception that you must "buy" into sustainable products, when the most sustainable option of all is repurposing what you have, reusing what you own, or purchasing pre-loved items at thrift stores. Always repair or have your clothing repaired to save it, be mindful of how you are washing your clothes to best preserve them and ensure you are buying things you could see yourself wearing from season to season, year to year.
What are your hopes for sustainable fashion in the years to come?
Personally, I hope that more mainstream fashion brands begin to be more transparent about their practices and make greater strides to ensure the quality of life of those behind the products are not suffering. We are seeing a major shift in our world as people are asking more questions of their favorite brands, and I encourage you to do the same. I hope there is one day where we don't have to question where our clothes come from or if the clothes were produced out of suffering -- I hope we just know they weren't. I hope we put quality before quantity and invest in pieces that we will wear for years to come, and I hope there is a shift away from fast fashion trends and a greater emphasis on timelessness. I hope that people realize that every dollar counts in voting for a world that demands better.
For more amazing creators that are committed to the slow fashion movement visit my "20 Sustainable Fashion Bloggers" post that I compiled last year. These women are incredible and I loved having the opportunity to share their stories.
More About Jade:
Jade Nicole Yeban is the creator behind Jade of Trades, a blog built to empower women to live their most authentic lives. Jade shares her life as a law student who loves sustainable fashion, digital analytics and design of all kinds.
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