Before we tell you what and how to do. Please watch the video below.

So what’s at the core of the issue? 

Fashion, especially fast fashion. Fashion is the second-most polluting industry after agriculture.

What exactly is fast fashion?

As the name has it Fast fashion gets its name from how quickly the products are created to how quickly they are used to how quickly they get out of fashion. Its like speed dating with fashion.

Previously, brands would have up to four collections per year, in line with the 4 seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons. Sometimes it would take designers up to two years designing a season’s collection before releasing it on shelves.With fast fashion, it’s now common for brands to have a new collection of clothes every week to keep up with the latest trends. Thating the count to 52 seasons per year.

What are the negative impacts of fast fashion?

All the energy and chemicals used for making clothes has a negative impact on both the environment and even the people working in the industry.

The environmental impact

1. Greenhouse gas emissions during production

2. Landfills 

3. Water usage

4. Chemicals used for dyes and textile creation

The human rights issues

1. Poor working conditions

2. Child labor

3. Underpaid labor

What can we do to make a difference?

1. Rewear and reuse what you already own

Reduce your consumption. That's the key and hence first if you have fast fashion clothing in your closet, keep wearing them. The biggest environmental and social issues from fashion come from when the clothing is actually created. Hence don't just replace what you already have, use what you have and then move away from fast fashion brands. 

2. Buy from slow fashion brands and support sustainable clothing brands

Be mindful of what and where you buy from. If you must buy new things then choose your brand carefully. Some brands have slow production schedules and make small batches of clothing, using high quality material, with zero waste designs. They have versatile styles that are classic, so that each article can be worn in many different styles and situations, thereby avoiding the need to always buy new things. 

Materials like organic cotton and linen have a lower environmental footprint. Though these brands could be more expensive on the face value, they are largely designed so each article can be used over and over again in a wide variety of outfits. That way, you don’t need to buy new clothes as often. In the end you will end up saving money. 

Here are some slow fashion brands to check out:

1. Love the World Today

2. Two Thirds

3. Arielle

4. Asket

5. Encircled

6. RE/DONE

7. Reformation

8. Maisha Concept

9. We are Sui

Or visit https://brownliving.in/collections/women marketplace for all your sustainable living supplies.

***** Please note this is not a sponsored post. We are not advocating for any particular product brand but simply helping list out some of the tried and tested brands. 

3. Clothing swaps

We have always heard of book clubs and toy clubs. Start a clothes swap club with a friend or group of friends and swap your clothes with them. This is a great way to refresh your wardrobe without purchasing anything at all! 

4. Buy secondhand clothing and donate your unwanted items

If you can’t swap just try to buy second hand, it's an amazing way to reduce your environmental and social footprint while saving money. Especially formal wedding costumes. Buying clothes that are still in good condition and have already been used means that you are not supporting the production of any new garments at all (slow or fast). 

If you have a garment you no longer want or need (especially kids), donate it to a charity so that someone else can use / enjoy it secondhand. Giving your garment a second life :)

Clearly there are many things we can all do individually to be environmentally friendly with our fashion choices and the clothes we wear. Every small change counts.