If you've considered going green, don't go without your wardrobe. Here's what designers and manufacturers have to say about the difference between one earth-wise fabric and another.
Choosing clothing that boasts “sustainability” doesn't necessarily mean that you've gone organic. In fact, in most cases, the word sustainable, when referring to textiles, takes on a very specific meaning. So what's the difference?
While organic materials are ones which are grown and produced without synthetic add-ins or chemical treatments, sustainable textile production insures that clothes are produced without any further harmful effects on our planet. Often, the qualities that make your dress or t-shirt certifiably sustainable, don't have to do with the actual fabric at all. Instead, it could mean that efforts were made to insure that excess packaging or hazardous waste were reduced during the process of production. Or, it could mean that the workers assembling your product were compensated fairly.
But many times, yes, a sustainable label can indicate that the piece of clothing itself is unique in more than just theory: one of the main objectives in designing a sustainable wardrobe is that the items are usually made of recycled materials. This way, not only does a buyer's new purchase keep old ones out of landfills, but if funding and enthusiasm continue to fuel environmentally-conscious production centers, the cost of these materials will be much less than brand new ones.
Now, what does this mean for the earth-aware, fashion-forward lady? It's your choice: you can eliminate unnecessary chemical hazards from your clothes by buying organic—and be assured that from the get-go, nothing funky has been added to your little black dress—or you can protect the future of the planet by choosing labels that promise smart and efficient production policies. Both are making our world greener, and each option will only become more popular (and affordable) as more consumers support the effort.