This article was written by Diana Parra (Quality Control Director at Lizzia Clothing)
In a world that's waking up to the importance of sustainability, two fashion movements are leading the change: Slow Fashion and Circular Fashion. If you've been hearing these terms more often, especially since the pandemic, you're witnessing a shift in how we think about clothes and our planet.
What's Circular Fashion?
Imagine if we could reduce the strain we put on Earth by changing the way we make and use clothes. That's what Circular Fashion is about. It's a call to keep our clothes in use for as long as possible through smart practices like reducing waste, reusing what we can, fixing what's broken, and recycling old garments into new ones. This approach challenges the old way of making clothes fast, cheap, and in vast quantities—a method that's not only hard on the environment but also unsustainable for our future.
Enter Slow Fashion
Back in 2007, Kate Fletcher introduced the world to Slow Fashion. This concept invites us to think differently about the clothes we wear. It's about choosing quality over quantity, knowing where and how our clothes are made, and embracing fashion in a way that respects people, the environment, and ethics. It's fashion, but with a conscience.
How to Spot a Sustainable Brand
With these ideas in mind, how can you tell if a brand practices what it preaches about sustainability? Here are some pointers:
1. Look for Transparent Values: Brands committed to positive change are open about their mission to be socially, environmentally, and ethically mindful. At Lizzia Clothing, we pride ourselves on working closely with a small group of seamstresses in Colombia, ensuring fair working conditions and practices. We pay per design, not per piece, allowing you to know exactly who made your clothes.
2. Check the Materials: Sustainable brands prefer natural fibers such as organic cotton, linen, tencell, or innovative materials like recycled polyester, cannabis, orange and pineapple fibres, recycled nylon, recycled cotton, recycled wool.These choices matter because they're kinder to the planet.
Check out our linen and tencel collection
3.Quality over Quantity: These brands focus on making clothes that last, not just chasing the latest trend. At Lizzia Clothing,we create limited and exclusive pieces, valuing quality and uniqueness over mass production. This approach allows us to minimize waste and offer something special to our customers.
4. Support Reuse and Recycling: They'll encourage you to think about the lifecycle of your clothes, from donating old pieces to buying items made from recycled materials.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Starting with small steps, like choosing energy-efficient appliances or donating clothes you no longer wear, can make a big difference. Remember, in fashion, sometimes less really is more :)
Your Thoughts Matter
We're eager to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below:
- Have you embraced Slow Fashion? What's been your experience?
- Do you know any other sustainable practices worth sharing?
Let's create a community of conscious consumers. Join the conversation and follow us on Instagram @lizziaclothing for more insights and inspiration!
This article draws upon the research by Julia M. N.-T., Eva D.A.-C., Francisco J. R.-C., 2021, on the Circular Economy in Fashion, and data from the WWF, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in our lifestyles.