What Is Sustainable Fashion? And Why Does It Matter?

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion is a buzz term thrown around a lot these days, but what does it actually mean? Sustainable clothing is made in a way that aims to minimise its impact on the environment. It's made with more eco-friendly materials, such as organic, recycled and plant-based fabrics, as well as natural, low-impact dyes.

What is the difference between sustainable clothing and ethical clothing?

'Sustainable fashion' and 'ethical fashion' are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, although their meanings are different. Whilst sustainable clothing considers the impact of a garment on the environment, ethical clothing defines the way in which a garment was made. There's no standardised definition (which is problematic in itself), but ethical fashion generally refers to clothing that has been made fairly and ethically. It means garment workers received fair, safe working conditions, and were paid a fair, living wage.

What clothing materials are eco-friendly?

As a sustainable fashion brand, we are always considering which materials are the most eco-friendly when selecting our fabrics. In general, eco-friendly materials are composed of natural, plant-based fibres, as these easily biodegrade at the end of their life. This includes organic cotton, linen and hemp.

Other sustainable material alternatives are recycled and regenerated fabrics (such as ECONYL recycled nylon), and surplus or dead-stock fabrics, as working with these materials makes use of items that are already in use.

Why is organic cotton better?

Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and insecticides, which can be toxic to the health of farmers, to you and to the environment. Organic cotton also uses substantially less water than conventional cotton (approx. 90% less) and emits approx. 45% less greenhouse gas emissions. Organic cotton is better for your skin, for farmers and for the earth!

What is GOTS certified organic cotton?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. GOTS certified organic cotton has to pass strict standards, including environmental, health and social criteria. Here at Robb and Lulu, we use GOTS certified organic cotton for our clothing, so you can rest assured that you’re taking care of your health and the planet.

Why shop sustainable fashion?

The fashion industry has a huge impact on the planet, in fact according to EcoWatch, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. Now more than ever, our shopping habits have huge potential to shape our future world. By choosing to shop sustainable clothing, made with more eco-friendly materials, we are actively working to reduce the impacts of climate change and take care of our planet.