Hey, fashion-savvy folks! Are you looking to make more conscious fashion choices but don’t know where to start? Do you love streetwear but want to be more sustainable? You’re in luck because this blog is for you! In this guide, we’ll explore the intersection of streetwear and sustainability and give you tips on how to make eco-friendly choices when it comes to your wardrobe.

What is Streetwear? 👕👖

First things first, let’s define streetwear. Streetwear is a style of casual clothing that originated in the skate and surf culture in California in the 1980s. It’s often characterized by oversized, loose-fitting clothing, bold graphics, and a mix of high and low-end brands. Today, streetwear has evolved into a global fashion phenomenon and can be seen on runways, in fashion magazines, and on the streets.

The Problem with Fast Fashion 🚨

Before we dive into sustainable fashion choices, let’s talk about the problem with fast fashion. Fast fashion is a term used to describe the process of mass-producing clothing at a low cost and quickly bringing it to market. Fast fashion results in huge amounts of waste, pollution, and unethical labor practices. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the fashion industry produces 92 million tons of waste each year and is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Streetwear Brands 🌍🛍

One way to make more conscious fashion choices is by supporting sustainable streetwear brands. Many sustainable streetwear brands are committed to using eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and reducing waste. Here are a few to check out:

  • Patagonia: Patagonia is a well-known brand that produces sustainable outdoor clothing. The brand uses recycled materials and is committed to fair labor practices.
  • DL1961: This denim brand uses eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and Tencel to create jeans. They also use a closed-loop water recycling system in their production process.
  • Girlfriend Collective: This brand creates sustainable activewear using recycled materials such as water bottles. They’re also committed to ethical labor practices and transparency.
  • Pangaia: Pangaia creates sustainable clothing using materials such as organic cotton, seaweed fiber, and recycled polyester. They’re also committed to minimizing their carbon footprint and reducing waste.

Selection of eco-friendly streetwear brands

Sustainable Materials 🌱🎽

Sustainable fashion isn’t just about the brands you choose to support. It’s also about the materials used to create your clothing. Here are a few eco-friendly materials to look out for:

  • Organic cotton: traditional cotton production uses a lot of water and pesticides, so organic cotton is a more sustainable alternative.
  • Recycled polyester: making polyester from recycled materials reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves energy.
  • Tencel: this fabric is created from sustainably sourced wood pulp and uses less water than traditional cotton.

Recycled polyester fabric samples

Clothes Swapping ♻️👕

Another way to be more sustainable in your fashion choices is by swapping clothes with friends or attending clothes swap events. Clothes swapping allows you to get new-to-you clothing without contributing to the demand for new clothing. It’s also a great way to bond with friends and refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Secondhand Shopping 🛍💸

The thrift store is your friend! Shopping secondhand is a sustainable way to shop for clothing while also saving money. You’ll find a unique selection of clothing and accessories while giving a second life to items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Plus, you never know what treasure you’ll find!

Person holding up a thrifted find

Capsule Wardrobes 👗🌟

Creating a capsule wardrobe is a sustainable way to approach fashion. A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. The benefit of a capsule wardrobe is fewer items of clothing, making it easier to shop sustainably and avoid unnecessary purchases.

Conclusion 🥰

We hope this guide has given you some inspiration and tips to make more conscious fashion choices. Remember, sustainable fashion is about making intentional choices as a consumer. Whether it’s supporting eco-friendly brands, shopping secondhand, or creating a capsule wardrobe, every little bit helps to reduce waste, pollution, and carbon emissions.

Illustration of a person surrounded by sustainable fashion choices