Seven Reasons Why Millennials Should Opt For Eco-friendly And Cost-effective Fashion

Eco-friendly fashion is the need of the hour. There is no denying that climate change is real and more evident than ever. The fashion industry, however glamorous it may seem from the outside, is an active contributor to environmental degradation. To truly understand the vitality of eco-friendly fashion, let’s have a look at the true face of the industry.

An estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is generated annually by the fashion industry. This number is expected to increase by 60% between 2015 and 2030. India generates more than 1 million tonnes of textile waste annually, being amongst the top 5 garment manufacturers in the world.

This number has only skyrocketed over the past few years, and unless we, as consumers, become aware of how we consume fashion, the future looks bleak.

The fashion industry, which commenced with with seasonal collections per year, has now shifted to 56 micro-collections annually, releasing a new collection every week. Due to changing trends and consumer demand for trendy and affordable clothing, fast fashion is growing exponentially, unsustainably and unethically.

Millennials are currently the largest adult cohort, and the burden is on them to change the way they consume fashion, seek out affordable and sustainable alternatives, and set a good example for future generations.

Here are seven reasons why millennials should opt for eco-friendly and cost-effective fashion:

Good for the planet

In addition to overproduction and textile wastage, the fashion industry is also the second largest consumer of water and the second largest polluting industry in the world.

Eco-friendly fashion is the solution to these problems. Sustainable fashion is not mass produced. It is made sustainably using good quality and environmentally friendly materials under ethical conditions. Organic fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, etc., require very little water.

CO2 emissions are also significantly reduced with the use of recycled and organic fabrics.

By opting for eco-friendly fashion, we are saving water, reducing wastage and pollution.

Affordable

Sustainable fashion is often perceived to be expensive as compared to what the fast fashion brands sell. What we fail to realise is the quality, longevity, and cost per use of those garments. Clean clothing brands use premium fabrics that last much longer than synthetic fabrics. It is easier to maintain these clothes, wear them for years to come, and dispose of them responsibly.

Another alternative to affordability and sustainability is renting single-use outfits. Heavy occasion wear clothing is super expensive and is worn only once or twice. Instead of overspending on purchasing these outfits, they can be easily rented at a fraction of the original cost. This solves the problems of overproduction, pollution, and affordability.

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Less is More

Opting for sustainable clothing doesn't mean compromising on the latest trends and fashion choices. There are a plethora of options to choose from and adapt to while being conscious and trendy at the same time.

Rent the iconic, buy the basics. Fashion rentals allow you to experiment with different styles, scratch the itch of not repeating outfits, and bring your fashion forward. A game without compromising on sustainability. It is also super affordable, and you always have an endless wardrobe at your disposal.

Upcycled Clothing

Wear what you already own. Get creative with your wardrobe and utilise it to its maximum potential. Turn your old clothes into new ones, change the designs, experiment with your style. A saree can easily be upcycled into a lehenga, which will be a unique addition to your wardrobe without purchasing anything new!

Reverse the damage.

Circular fashion is the practise of producing, consuming, and disposing of fashion responsibly. Eco-friendly labels are circular as each step right from material production to disposal is carried out in a conscious manner. Organic materials are biodegradable and can be safely returned back to the environment at the end of their life cycle.

Materials that are non-biodegradable can be kept in use for as long as possible.

Fashion rentals and donations are ways in which a garment is used up to its full potential.

These fabrics can then be recycled, upcycled, and kept in rotation before they add to the already overflowing landfills.

Favours ethical production and fair pay.

The Rana Plaza incident showed us the harsh truth of the fashion industry. By choosing to purchase from an unsustainable and unethical brand, we are becoming a part of the problem. While we are not paying much for those fast fashion clothes, those underpaid workers and our environment are bearing the cost of it.

Eco-friendly labels make sure their workers are fairly compensated and work under hygienic and safe conditions. When we, as consumers, support such brands and practices, we are becoming a part of the solution.

Stand out from the crowd.

Another aspect of sustainable fashion is artisanal fashion. Brands are returning to their roots and reviving indigenous Indian arts and crafts. This provides employment to those artisans who have kept their art alive over generations and can now amplify their reach. These products are usually hand-made and customised.

Including such brands in your wardrobe helps make your fashion a cut above the rest. You don’t end up wearing the same outfit as everyone else and owning something that is responsibly made and is one-of-a-kind.

Be the change.

Since millennials are the responsible adults of today and tomorrow, it is of utmost importance that they become the face of change.
When they, as a generation, become truly aware of their choices and make them a part of their lifestyle, others are sure to follow. Promoting sustainable fashion practises like slow fashion, rental fashion, recycled and upcycled fashion is a step in the right direction.

They still have a chance to reverse the damage and establish businesses and practises that heal our planet.

Affordability and sustainability can coexist. It is all about making the right choices, adhering to an earth-friendly lifestyle and looking for alternatives that are good for you and the planet.

 Aanchal Saini is the Founder and CEO of Flyrobe. The views expressed are the author's own.