Sustainability
Sustainability is high on Suitable’s agenda, which is why we have had a sustainable clothing line for a few years now: Suitable Respect. The garments in the Respect collection are made from sustainable or even recycled materials, which is better for people, animals, and the environment. But why do we think sustainable clothing is so important? In this blog we will tell you more about sustainable clothing and its production.
To start with, there are no visible differences between sustainable and non-sustainable clothing—some exceptions, of course. What often makes clothing sustainable is the production process. This means that sustainable clothing is produced in a certain way from start to finish, with the least possible impact on the environment and nature. In short; environmentally friendly, resource-saving, good working conditions for people, and animal friendliness. Sustainable clothing plays an increasingly important role in the world of fashion. Yet we still have to deal with a lot of Fast Fashion.
Fast Fashion
Unfortunately, today there is an unhealthy speed of changing fashion trends. Every season there are entirely new collections ready to be bought. We call this ‘Fast Fashion’. Fast Fashion is anything but sustainable and, unfortunately, causes a lot of waste, unfair production, and garbage. This is not good for people and the environment. In this fast, unsustainable fashion, savings are made on sustainable materials. In the process, the quality of the garment is often lost. It is made so people already have had enough of these clothes and are looking for newer and trendier alternatives after a short period.
Fortunately, there are more and more brands that produce sustainably in different ways. Here are a few examples of clothing brands that are on the right track:
- Save the duck
Save the Duck is known for making jackets with the “plumtech” filling they developed. Plumtech is a synthetic down replacement that brings together both the warmth of real down and the air and water tightness of a synthetic filling. The best of both worlds and animal friendly too. A Save the Duck jacket is therefore 100% vegan.
- Knowledge cotton apparel
Knowledge cotton apparel is also a brand where sustainability comes first. By using organic cotton, recycled polyester and saving water, they make stylish clothing with a small footprint on the earth.
- Ecoalf
The Spanish brand Ecoalf was created with the aim of making stylish and sustainable coats of top quality. Ecoalf’s coats use 100% recycled materials, yet these coats are certainly not inferior to non-recycled alternatives.
Recycling clothes
How clothing brands give meaning to the word, ‘sustainable’ can vary from brand to brand. You can see that some brands have started to recycle, which literally means; reuse. This is done with different types of materials, such as old clothes, corks, and old airplane seats. Recycling these materials does not have to be destroyed, and old fabrics get a second life. For example, the Jog pantaloons from Suitable Respect are also partly made from recycled materials.
Many brands nowadays also offer a repair service or free returns to the recycling bin. This way, the brand in question can use their old collections to get back to work on new clothing responsibly.
Repair instead of destroy
Recycling saves raw materials that do not have to be cultivated, and that is very sustainable. Another way of recycling is, for example, through our suit warranty, which is a part of the Suitable warranty. This means that products with a defect are repaired instead of being destroyed.
Bamboo in clothing
Another sustainable material that can be used in the production of clothing is bamboo. Bamboo is naturally resistant to bacteria, and therefore, unlike cotton, it does not require dangerous pesticides. In addition, bamboo absorbs a lot of co2, up to 30% more than other trees. Bamboo grows back quickly after cutting, so there is no need to cut down forests. Most bamboo species grow between 5-20 cm per day!
More and more brands have something made of bamboo in their collection. The Suitable men’s brand, for example, has underwear made from bamboo. The line consists of T-shirts, boxer shorts and socks. Besides the fact that bamboo is good for the environment, bamboo fibers are super soft. It feels very pleasant on normal/sensitive skin. Bamboo can absorb up to 4 times more moisture than cotton, which makes your skin stay drier. Your clothes will stay fresh longer by wearing bamboo underwear because it regulates your body heat better than cotton, for example.
Biological Cotton
Organic cotton is cotton that is not processed with bad chemical pesticides, unlike normal cotton. With normal cotton, this is done to protect the cotton from insects. The treatment with chemicals is not good for the cotton itself, the environment, local people and cotton farmers. This is one of the reasons why cotton is the most polluted agricultural product in the world.
The clothing of Suitable Respect has the GOTS label. GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, which means that the textile fibers come from organic agriculture. Because organic cotton is grown from seed to label responsibly without the bad influences of pesticides, this cotton is both of higher quality and better for the environment. In addition to being better for the environment, organic textiles also ensure that textile producers receive a better price for their products. This ensures that they get better living conditions.
Improving Brand Quality
It is a positive development that various clothing brands are committed to producing clothing in an increasingly sustainable manner. We only have one planet and we need to use it sparingly. Besides the process, they also look to create even higher quality items. In this way you can enjoy the product longer. The quality of clothing is improved to enjoy your favorite clothing for longer, which makes it more sustainable. There have been so much research into recycling various other materials that people didn’t know before that it is solid, durable, and beautiful.
Tips to be more sustainable with your clothing
Be more careful with your clothing and footwear. For example, treat your shoes with a protective spray beforehand. Also, choose timeless clothing. A piece of clothing that will still be in fashion in a few years. It often works to create a base of garments that you can always and easily combine, this also applies to your shoes. Alternate, keep them clean and take good care of them.
Be critical
Check with your favorite store or clothing brand how they are committed to sustainable clothing production and what stage they are at. Ask yourself if this brand is committed to a healthy and green world and if you want to grow this brand or company? Where are the materials such as wool and/or cotton sourced? Where does the production take place? What are they doing to be more environmentally friendly? Often a lot is already being done, but they haven’t clearly mapped that out for the consumer. By asking these questions, you and others are increasingly sending the message that we are not looking for fast fashion but rather for sustainable alternatives. Good for our planet and a safe place for future generations.
