This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Sustainable fashion is something we are all becoming more conscious of. My children are constantly pestering me to promote the brands that are ethically minded. Of course this is not necessarily something that can be incorporated into every fashion brand overnight. However there are a lot of brands that are really trying.
Sustainable clothing refers to fabrics derived from eco-friendly resources, such as sustainably grown fibre crops or recycled materials. It also refers to how these fabrics are made.
Dubbed the world’s second most polluting industry after oil, the throwaway nature of fashion has created a business that generates greenhouse emissions of 1.2 billion tonnes a year – that’s larger than that of international flights and shipping combined. Plus, each year half a million tonnes of plastic microfibres are released from washed clothes (16 times more than plastic microbeads from cosmetics, which have now been banned) and contribute to ocean pollution.
This week I have scoured the sustainable fashion brands and found items that would suit us older women. Every little helps in our work to try to help the environment.
MATT & NATT: (MATerial & Nature)
From the start, Matt & Nat have been committed to not using leather or any other animal-based materials in their designs. Each season, they continue to explore new innovative ways to remain sustainable and eco-friendly. Over the years, they’ve been experimenting with different recycled materials such as recycled nylons, cardboard, rubber and cork. Since 2007, they’ve been committed to using linings only made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. They have also recently introduced recycled bicycle tyres to their collections.
& OTHER STORIES
& Other Stories recognises that climate change is one of the major challenges of our time. As with any other organisation or individual on the planet, they have an interest as well as a responsibility in taking action to tackle this issue.
They are gradually expanding their environmental goals and want to find the most energy efficient and sustainable way for all stages of their business. The H&M Group is working towards becoming climate positive across their entire value chain by 2040.
MARKS & SPENCER
Did you know that 100% of the cotton used in the Marks & Spencer clothing range is sustainably sourced? And always will be. That’s why these women’s picks are perfect for adding a little quality style to all your wardrobes.
NINETY PER CENT
90% of their profits are shared amongst charitable organisation. Also materials are chosen very carefully and sourced only from reputable suppliers. Most of their jersey pieces are made from organic cotton while Tencel, (made from renewable wood pulp in a closed loop system), is one of the most heavily featured materials in their collections.
Sometimes the fabrics required for our more technically demanding designs aren’t quite as sustainable as they’d like. When this happens, research begins on how to develop and improve for future collections. Sustainability is an endeavour that’s high on their agenda.