Sustainable Solutions in Professional Attire: Building a Green Wardrobe
In recent years, more and more textile companies and clothing brands have embraced sustainable and ethical clothing options. Sustainable fashion, also known as eco-fashion, aims to make the earth a better place by reducing the adverse effects the industry has on the environment.
A sustainable wardrobe is not just about sourcing organic cotton, hemp, or recycled fabrics but also about ethical labor practices in manufacturing. To succeed in creating a green and sustainable wardrobe, you should be able to understand the entire lifecycle of fashion.
When you become conscious of your professional attire trends, you are responsible for a brighter future and a better world. This article discusses various practical ways to build your professional green wardrobe from scratch.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of Conventional Clothing
The raw clothing materials are mainly cotton, bamboo, Tencel, and polyester. However, cotton is the primary raw material whose production profoundly impacts the environment.
Large-scale cotton farming damages the environment due to pesticides and high water usage. In addition, most of the natural habitats have been destroyed to make way for cotton farming.
The farming practices deployed in the fields have caused and continue to cause soil erosion and degradation.
This also results in water contamination, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and other forms of environmental degradation.
According to UNECE 2018, 85% of textiles go into the dump every year. Also, washing some of the conventional attire releases microplastics into the ocean.
The violation of labor laws in the conventional clothing sector is widespread. Women, especially in developing countries, are forced to work long hours under deplorable conditions while being paid derisory wages.
Therefore, conventional clothing’s environmental and social costs should help you rethink your professional attire choices.
The Importance of Making Ethical Choices in Work Attire
Building a greener wardrobe is essential and defines what you stand for concerning the environment and human rights.
The professional clothing industry is among the most significant environmental polluters. Also, the industry is rampant in violating human rights through overworking and paying low wages to its workers.
Buying ethical and green professional attire helps reduce environmental degradation.
Additionally, it helps improve the working and living standards of the industry’s workers, especially women in third-world countries.
So, whenever you choose a green professional outfit or jewelry, you are also supporting the industry shift towards respecting the rights of people, animals, and the planet.
Sustainable Attire Solutions for Different Professions
Different professions need sustainable and ethical clothing solutions to reduce the negative effects of the clothing industry on the environment and society. Sustainable alternatives to clothing have the power to not only improve the moral compass of the clothing industry but also increase the number of conscientious employers that value sustainability.
Some examples of sustainable attire solutions for different professions are:
Healthcare
Think about the situation of healthcare workers who have to wear disposable, synthetic protective gear. They need to switch to biodegradable or compostable textiles that end their lives in a way that does not hurt the environment. Innovative companies are already developing medical scrubs and masks made from bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton so that they can be safely discarded. The transition to sustainable and ethical scrubs is becoming increasingly important, as healthcare professionals seek eco-friendly alternatives that align with a greener and more responsible healthcare industry.
Construction
The Klaxon call for sustainable practices is getting louder and clearer in the field of construction, where difficult working conditions necessitate clothing that is both long-lasting and robust and that also acts as a defense mechanism against challenges. Workers need clothing that isn’t just functional but also sustainable. Their attire should withstand harsh working conditions while also protecting them from injuries.
Companies are doing their part by coming up with attire that does that. For instance, some businesses are making workwear out of recycled plastic bottles, denim jeans, or even military uniforms, all of which are capable of delivering a performance that is both high-quality and long-lasting.
White-collar professions
Modular or capsule wardrobe systems can provide more versatility and flexibility with fewer items for office workers who need to wear professional and stylish clothing for different occasions and seasons. For example, some companies are making clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched, changed, or customized to make different looks and functions with few resources.
Choosing Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Moving Towards a Greener Wardrobe
When choosing ethical and sustainable work outfits, go for fabrics made through eco-friendly and humane processes. Build your green wardrobe by buying professional clothes made with eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton wool, hemp, bamboo, and linen. Also, sustainable fabrics can be made from recycled fabrics or plastics.
Here are some tips for choosing eco-friendly fabrics for a greener professional wardrobe.
1. Research the Brand
Check out professional clothing brands before purchasing if you want to make your wardrobe greener. Most professional attire brands are supporting initiatives for sustainability in the textile industry. Also, most clothing companies are becoming more transparent in their manufacturing processes. That way, you can make an informed choice.
2. Check the Clothing Labels
The labels will tell you the material used on the fabric. You can choose whether to buy the attire or not based on the material used.
3. Buying Secondhand Professional Clothes
Buying secondhand professional attire reduces the demand for the production of new attire. The less clothes are manufactured, the more sustainable they are.
4. Adopt Slow Fashion
Slow fashion means buying fewer clothes. Also, it means buying work clothes made with high-quality and sustainable fabric so that they serve you for a long time. Investing in quality means you won’t need new professional attire every year.
Expert Tips: How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Sustainable Green Attire
The following are valuable tips for caring for your professional green attire to make it last for years.
1. Read the Wash Instructions
The wash care instructions on the clothing label are there for a reason. You can damage the quality of the garment by washing it incorrectly. Follow the washing instructions to keep your attire looking as good as new for a long time.
2. Cleanse Only
Frequent washing of professional attire damages the color and quality of the garment. Rather than washing, consider cleansing. Use refreshing products to cleanse the attire for a couple of wears.
3. Consider Using Cold Water to Wash
Washing with cold water and mild detergent will slow down the garment's degradation. Also, consider handwashing to minimize the speed of aging for your green attire.
4. Proper Storage
Proper storage of professional clothing can keep it in good condition for years. Folded piles away from sunlight will keep the attire looking good for a long time.
Hanging clothes on the wrong hangers distorts their silhouettes and shapes. If you must hang your clothes, use the right kind of hangers. For instance, wooden hangers are best for suits, while padded hangers are best for light clothes and lingerie.
5. Avoid the Drier
The heat on the dryer causes the fabric to shrink, which damages the fibers. Use fabric softeners and air dry your attire. Also, you save on energy by not using the dryer.
Contributing Towards Change: What’s Your Role in the Shift to Sustainable Wear in Embracing a Green Future?
Don’t be left behind while the world tries to find solutions to minimize adverse environmental effects. Being mindful of little habits and what you consume helps make a difference. You can start living by the slogan, “Reduce, reuse, and recycle.”
Some of the things you can do to shift to sustainable workwear are:
1. Educate Yourself
Educate yourself on the ethics and impact of the clothing industry on the environment and human rights. Having a good understanding of such issues will help you make an informed decision when buying professional attire.
2. Quality Over Quantity
Be intentional about buying your attire. Quality attire is pricier but lasts for years. You can buy cheaper, low-quality attire that lasts only for a year. In the long run, quality becomes less expensive and more sustainable.
3. Make Informed Purchases
Consider buying professional attire you can easily trace back to its origin. Most clothing companies are transparent about their processes. For instance, a brand may highlight things like the type of yarn used, the staple length, and other aspects that contribute to the making of the outfit. Avoid buying from brands that skip such information.
4. Be the Voice of Change
Your efforts in educating your co-workers, family, friends, or the community about sustainability in our attire can significantly impact the environment. It starts with you.
Conclusion
The quest for trends in the industry has left the planet intensely damaged through pollution, degradation, unethical societal practices, and waste. The benefits of adopting a professional green wardrobe are numerous: to the environment, ethical norms, and economy.
Environmentally, it means avoiding farming chemicals and pollutants, minimizing waste, and conserving natural resources.
On an ethical basis, building a green wardrobe helps stand against and reduce exploitative labor practices and supports workers’ rights in the clothing industry.
Shifting to a professional green wardrobe may take time, but the first step is deciding to change by getting your first sustainable professional attire. The power to transform our planet is in our hands.
Written by Scrubsiq