Let's Learn How to Shop the Eco-Friendly Way with Kaileena

So you want to be more of a conscious shopper. You came to the right place! I'm here to share with you my tips on how you can shop for sustainable clothing.

What is Sustainable Clothing?

It focuses on environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout the entire garment lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to disposal, aiming to minimize environmental impact and promote fair labor.

Now that we know what it is, let's get into the types of fabrics and fibers that are used to make them!

They are usually made out of natural or recycled fibers. The fabrics used are usually organic and grown without pesticides or chemicals. Renewable and biodegradable materials are also used.

Some examples of sustainable fabric:

• Organic Cotton

  
  

  

  Image by https://naturesfabrics.com/products/organic-cotton-velour-15-yards

  
  

• Recycled Polyester

  
  

  

  Image by https://zfj-textile.en.made-in-china.com/product/gEJRuecOCqkZ/China-Recycled-Polyester-Fabric-Twill-Peach-RPET-Recycled-Fabric-for-Clothing.html

  
  
  
  

• Linen

  
  

  

  Image by https://linencharm.com/products/linen-fabric-stonewashed-soft-linen-fabric-210g-m2-145cm-57-striped-green

  
  

• Lyocell

  
  

  

  Image by https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/lyocell-fabric

  
  

• Bamboo

  
  

  

  Image by Berkin Üregen from Unsplash

  
  

• Jute

  
  

  

  Image by https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/jute-fabric

  
  

• Silk

  
  

  

  Image by https://fabricdepot.com/products/runway-silks-blush-pink-silk-crepe-back-satin-fabric-8000m112

  
  

• Wool

  
  

  

  Image by https://woolcrestfabric.com/collections/wool-fabric/products/wool-cream-plain-fabric

• Hemp

  
  

  

  Image by https://homeofwool.com/shop/hemp-fabric/?v=0b3b97fa6688

  
  

Now, how do we shop for Sustainable Clothing?

First things first, you must get familiar with brands/ stores that practice sustainability, such as, Reformation, Girlfriend Clothing, just to name a few. Do your research on brands for their transparency regarding their production process and ethical labor practices.

When shopping for that new pair of pants or sweater, make sure to also look at the tags for the fiber content information, or if shopping online, to look at the details of the item, to ensure that it includes any of the fabrics I've listed above.

You may also want to look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile standard), Fair Trade Certified, or B corp on the label.

Image from H&M"s Conscious Collection

Thank you for stopping by! I hope my tips helped you out and that you can utilize it to your own sustainable shopping journey. Stay tuned for next week as our girl, Bambi, show you some ways on how you can up-cycle used clothing. You don't want to miss it!

-Kaileena Thang