What is Sustainable Fashion? Natural Textiles vs Synthetic
Buzzwords like ‘natural’ and ‘green’ make it a challenge to discern whether or not something is truly sustainable these days. Sustainability and how it’s achieved is a different path in every industry. At BODY, we breathe in sustainability within every department, especially with our garments. When it comes to fashion, there are two questions we ask when we buy: Are the fabrics and dyes sustainably sourced? Is the clothing ethically produced? While the requirements for sustainability and ethical production are different, they both follow the same ethos of doing as much good as possible when it comes to clothing.
Natural fibers are hypoallergenic, breathable, prevent irritation and allergies, and are naturally absorbent. Many synthetic textiles have been treated with chemicals that contain toxic metals, dyes, pesticides and more. The chemicals cause allergies and irritations which also enter the body, disrupting the endocrine system. Chances are you have polyester in your closet, it is one of the cheapest and quickest fabrics to produce and is made of thermoplastic and petroleum. This material is known to cause skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema, while also making its way into the body.
So, what’s the alternative? Undoubtedly the most popular natural fabric is cotton, but there are also hemp, jute, silk, wool, bamboo, flax, and more that are of the earth rather than synthetic. These naturally derived fabrics are ones to swap from polyester, rayon, acrylic, and other synthetic man-made fabrics. Now, there’s also a sustainable way of consuming that many enjoy, such as shopping for second-hand clothing. While it is a sustainable approach to shop second-hand, purchasing used garments made with synthetic fibers doesn’t mean the clothing is sustainably made. Rather, you purchased it in a more sustainable way.
On the topic of natural fibers, we dive into natural dyes vs synthetic dyes. Take cotton for instance, it is natural in its organic form, but can also be grown with pesticides, bleached, and dyed with synthetic dyes comprised of chemicals. Synthetic dyes are made of serval chemicals including lead, chromium, mercury, sodium chloride, and more compounds that can be harmful to humans. Natural dye alternatives include indigo and other colors derived from vegetables and plants such as marigold flowers, turmeric, hibiscus and red onion skins.
With the collections we choose at BODY, materials are everything. From the organic cotton staples in the Beaumont Organics line to the European ecologically certified fabrics of Rita Row, you can feel the difference in fabric and dyes the moment you try something on. This is the kind of clothing you purchase to wear with intention and keep in your closet forever. The pieces vibrate higher without doing the harm synthetics do to the body. Check back for our next article on ethical garment production for part two!