How to find out if a garment is sustainable or not?

If you love shopping but at the same time want to be responsible for the planet, you’ve probably already started buying sustainable fashion. Also, take into account our tips from this article because today Chara Castro will answer the question of how to find out if a garment is sustainable or not.

How to find out if a garment is sustainable or not?

All of us at some point have decided to take steps towards creating a more sustainable wardrobe. There may be several reasons for this. Because we are environmentally conscious or concerned about whether our coats are made of natural or synthetic leather. Another reason is our desire to know if our favourite brands respect the rights of their workers.

Typically, long production chains make it difficult to establish the origin of each material and stage of the garment’s creation process. Therefore, it becomes more complicated than we would like to know if our clothes are sustainable or not.

Of course, there are other ways and tricks to find out the origin of a garment and whether the company is environmentally responsible. The rule of thumb is to read the clothing labels, where there is information about the materials used and whether they are or are not recycled. If you want to know more, stay till the end.

1. The use of organic materials

One of fashion’s main problems with sustainability is that many practices “greenwashing”. It consists in spreading a message of commitment and concern for the environment, which is not followed in practice.

The first step is to read the ingredients of the garment and look for labels that indicate that this sweater, T-shirt or dress is made of organic cotton or linen, that the wool comes from responsible farms, or that the hair on your coat is synthetic.

2. Certificates

For a brand to be considered sustainable, it is not enough to declare it as such. It is essential to have the necessary certificates from independent agencies and organizations. Some of the more prominent ones that you can look for on brand sites are:

• GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. This is the leading certification worldwide that guarantees using fibres of organic origin (wool and cotton) and natural dyes. It is also used to certify that no children were involved in the production.
• OCC guarantee: this seal is the guarantee of organic cotton colours, their highest quality standard.
• Cradle to Cradle: Assesses the safety of a product for humans and the environment.
• Oeko-Tex Made in Green: certifies that no chemical substances are used that could be harmful or polluting.
• PETA: the famous animal rights association thoroughly reviews the entire production process to confirm with its seal that no animal has been mistreated.

3. Read more about the brand

If a brand is sustainable or has some kind of environmental responsibility initiative, it will most likely state this on its website. So, we encourage you to review their ‘about us’ section before buying from a new brand to learn more about them and their manufacturing methods.

If they produce in Bulgaria or Europe, you have the security and peace of mind that decent working conditions are met. You can also look for certification seals, garment tracking programs, or a program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the manufacturing process.

Conclusion

Last but not least, don’t forget that sustainable clothes have a too long life. Their useful life does not end when our clothes get tired or no longer serve us. You refer to leather beyond the debate over whether a synthetic garment has a worse environmental impact than an actual leather garment, there is the animal cruelty factor.

For a leather garment to be considered sustainable, it must be made from synthetic or plant-based leather. Another valid option is to buy your natural fur coats from vintage and second-hand stores, as you will be giving the garment a second life. Now that you have all the tools in your hands, you can make your wardrobe a little more sustainable. Do you dare?