How to Shop More Sustainably Without Spending More
Sustainable fashion does not have to mean expensive fashion. Here are practical strategies anyone can use right now.
Understanding Fabric Labels: What Is Actually Sustainable
Walk into any clothing store and you will see tags promising "organic cotton," "recycled polyester," or "sustainably sourced." Not all of these claims mean the same thing β and some mean very little at all.
Fabrics worth choosing
- GOTS-certified organic cotton β verified lower pesticide and water use
- Recycled polyester (rPET) β diverts plastic bottles from landfill
- Tencel/Lyocell β produced in a closed-loop process with low water usage
- Hemp β grows with minimal water and no pesticides
- Linen β highly durable and biodegradable
Terms to treat with scepticism
"Eco-friendly," "green," and "sustainable" without certification are marketing terms with no legal definition. "Natural" simply means the fibre originates from a plant or animal β untreated conventional cotton is natural but one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world.
Related articles
The True Cost of Fast Fashion β and What to Do About It
Fast fashion is cheap at the checkout but expensive for the planet and the people who make it. The numbers are striking.