Hey Everyone! This blog post is following up on my previous entry welcoming an Eco-friendly clothing brand to Hammer and Heart. I thought it may be helpful to take a step back and explain exactly what Eco-friendly fashion is, and why its important to shop these items over the other options available to you. Because you may be asking yourself, why should I even shop Eco-friendly? What are the benefits?
I'm going to start by telling you, shopping Eco-Friendly clothing is very important. These pieces of clothing may cost a little bit more, but that is because they are made from higher quality materials. They will last longer and save you money in the long run.
When you go shopping and pick up a piece of clothing you like, what is the first question you ask yourself? How much does it cost? Am I right? The next thing you may question is, how can I get it cheaper? Do I need to buy something else to match it? The question that probably doesn't come to mind might be, how many liters of water did it take to make this item? A basic t-shirt requires about 2,700 liters of water to make. That is 713.26 gallons. And every year, over 80 billion pieces of clothing are produced. Can you estimate just how much water the fashion industry alone requires? Let's just say, it's a lot. And that's just water. We didn't even consider the other materials needed for clothing construction.
The word "Eco" is short for ecology. Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. According to greenconduct.com, the technical definition of Eco-friendly fashion is clothing that takes into account not only the environment, but the health of the consumers wearing the clothes and the working conditions of the people involved with making the clothes.
I'm going to dive a bit deeper for you, and explain 5 reasons why Eco-friendly fashion is awesome.
1. It's better for the Planet.
The current manufacturing process of the fashion industry leaves a huge environmental footprint. Pesticides, toxic dyes, unused clothing, and massive amounts of energy required to produce each piece. By choosing organic or sustainable fibers, you can cut down on your carbon footprint and chemicals you bring into your life.
2. It's better for the people.
The Fair Trade Act ensures your clothing was produced under safe working conditions and those who made them, were paid fair wages. This means, no sweatshop conditions.
3. It lasts longer.
I'm not joking when I say this. Finding pieces that are timeless in style and made from durable materials will last you so much longer. Invest in classic silhouettes and colors that are right for you and you will have a wardrobe that will last for years to come. It also reduces waste, and by cutting back, your saving so much energy and resources.
4. It's easier and cheaper to care for.
How we take care of our clothes is a very important thing we need to consider. Washing on the cold cycle cuts back on energy use and using biodegradable detergents prevents chemical from polluting the earth. Hanging your clothes out to line dry also saves on energy and you'll see that reflected in your utility bill!
5. It's more personal.
One of the main reasons why I love fashion is because it expresses who you are. When you buy that mass produced top at your big box retailer, what does that say about your style? By shopping at nearby boutiques, your going to find fashion created by designers in your area. These designs are unique, just like your personal style. And they haven't been shipped all over the world, which means less of a carbon footprint!
I believe that Eco-friendly should be more than a philosophy. It should be a design requirement. And as a consumer, it is up to you to buy and use responsibility. I urge you to do your own research on Eco-friendly fashion and ask questions.
Be the change that the fashion industry needs.
If you want to see more blog posts about this subject, please comment below or feel free to email me directly at info@hammerandheartboutique.com. I would love to hear your thoughts! As always, please subscribe to follow my journey with Hammer and Heart!
-Katie