Sustainability
Environmental impact, ethical fashion, and the circular economy
Fashion is one of the most polluting industries on Earth, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater. But sustainable fashion isn't just about eco-fabrics—it's about extending garment lifespans, reducing returns, and building systems where clothing stays in use longer. Our sustainability coverage explores the real environmental impact of fashion and what actually works to reduce it.
Key Statistics
Key Terms
Fast Fashion
A business model based on rapidly producing high volumes of trendy, low-cost clothing designed to be worn briefly and discarded.
Circular Fashion
A system where clothing is designed, produced, and used in ways that maximize useful life and can be safely returned to the biosphere or recycled into new garments.
Greenwashing
Marketing claims that make products appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are, without substantive environmental benefits.
Lifecycle Assessment
A methodology for evaluating the environmental impact of a product across all stages: raw materials, production, use, and disposal.
Latest Articles
Fast Fashion vs Made-to-Measure
Which is more sustainable when you factor fit and longevity.
What Happens to Clothes That Get Returned?
The hidden journey of returns, resale, and waste.
The Real Environmental Cost of Guessing Your Size
How misfit fuels waste and how to cut it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes fashion sustainable?
True sustainability in fashion requires extending garment lifespans, reducing waste, using lower-impact materials, and ensuring fair labor practices. A single 'eco' material doesn't make a garment sustainable—what matters is how long it stays in use and what happens at end of life.
Is secondhand fashion really more sustainable?
Generally yes. Buying secondhand extends a garment's useful life without requiring new production. However, the sustainability benefit depends on whether the secondhand purchase actually displaces a new purchase, rather than being additional consumption.
How does fit affect sustainability?
Fit is one of the biggest hidden drivers of fashion waste. Poorly fitting clothes get worn less, returned more, and discarded sooner. Better fit extends garment lifespans and reduces returns—making it one of the most effective sustainability levers.