If you’re thinking about how you can be more sustainable, kudos! It means you’re the type of person who is aware of their impact on the environment and wants to make positive changes. There are many ways to be more sustainable in your daily life; using eco-friendly cleaning products, recycling, and even proper pumps for water treatment are all great options for example. Another great option is sustainable menswear – clothing that has been produced using environmentally-friendly practices and materials, while also ensuring that workers are treated fairly and paid fairly.
So here are some guidelines for sustainable menswear.
Choose Natural and Organic Fabrics
One of the primary aspects of sustainable fashion is the prioritization of natural and organic fabrics as traditional fashion production is generally harmful to the environment due to the use of synthetic fibers derived from non-renewable resources that can take hundreds of years to decompose. In contrast, natural and organic fabrics are made from materials that are renewable and biodegradable.
For example, conventional cotton farming often involves the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown without the use of such harmful chemicals and is a more sustainable choice.
So, opting for natural and organic fabric when shopping for menswear is definitely a step in the right direction. In addition to cotton, other examples of natural and organic fabrics may include linen, wool, silk, bamboo, hemp, and recycled material.
Look for Certifications
When shopping for menswear, you want to pay close attention to certifications as they provide independent verification of the garment’s sustainability.
For example, look out for certifications and labels like:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) – that the textile used in the production of the garment is made from organic fibers,
- Fair Trade Certified – that the workers involved in the production of the garment are paid fairly and have safe working conditions
- Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) – that the garment is made from recycled materials
- Cradle to Cradle Certified – that the entire production process, from the materials used to the end-of-life disposal of the garment, is sustainability
Support Local and Small-Scale Production
Supporting local and small-scale production is an essential part of sustainable fashion.
When you buy your menswear from local and small-scale productions you’re not only reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation and distribution but also supporting local economies and communities. Local and small-scale producers are also generally more transparent about their production processes and can provide more information about the sustainability of their products.
Plus, small-scale production often allows for more attention to detail and quality control, resulting in higher-quality garments that are made to last.
Recycle or Donate Clothing
Millions of clothes end up in landfills every year. What this means is that there is a significant amount of waste in the fashion industry and when those millions of clothing and textiles decompose not only do they release greenhouse gases and other harmful substances into the environment, but they also represent a loss of resources and energy that went into their production.
So when you no longer need clothing, why not recycle or donate it?
Sustainable menswear is an invaluable part of reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry and these practices all count.
