What Is Sustainable Fashion? Simple Ways To Make The Shift

What Is Sustainable Fashion? How to Shop Sustainably

Fashion is everywhere—it’s how we express ourselves, our culture, and even our values. But behind every garment is a story about how it was made, who made it, and the impact it had on the planet. That’s where sustainable fashion comes in.

This guide breaks down what sustainable fashion is, why it matters, and how you can make small, practical shifts toward shopping more consciously without feeling overwhelmed.

Key Takeaways

Sustainable fashion looks at the full life cycle of clothing, from design to disposal, minimizing waste and carbon emissions.
It overlaps with ethical fashion, slow fashion, and circular fashion, focusing on fair labor and environmentally friendly materials.
The fashion industry is responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions—making sustainability in fashion a critical issue.
Choosing organic cotton, TENCEL™, and hemp over synthetic fibers helps reduce your impact on the environment.
Simple steps—like buying less, repairing clothing, or supporting brands that pay garment workers fairly—add up to meaningful change.

So, What Is Sustainable Fashion?

At its core, sustainable fashion is about creating and consuming clothes in ways that are better for people and the planet. It doesn’t just mean “eco-friendly fabrics”—it considers the entire life cycle of a garment, including:

How raw materials are grown or produced (organic cotton vs. synthetic fibers).
The production process, from dyeing to sewing.
The working conditions of garment workers and whether these workers are paid fairly.
How long the clothing lasts and what happens when it’s no longer worn.

Sustainable fashion overlaps with concepts like:

Ethical fashion → ensuring garment workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions.
Slow fashion → encouraging consumers to buy fewer, higher-quality pieces that last.
Circular fashion → designing with recycling and reuse in mind, keeping clothing out of landfills.

In short, sustainable fashion isn’t one single action—it’s a shift in mindset across the entire fashion industry.

Why Does Sustainability in Fashion Matter?

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions. Fast fashion in particular drives this problem.

The hidden costs of fast fashion include:

Carbon footprint: Mass production, overseas shipping, and synthetic fibers increase carbon emissions.
Water usage: A single cotton T-shirt can require over 2,700 liters of water to produce.
Toxic dyes & chemicals: Many fabrics are treated with dyes and finishes that pollute rivers and harm communities.
Garment workers: Millions of workers in global supply chains are underpaid and work in unsafe conditions.
Waste: An estimated 92 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills each year.

What Makes Fashion Sustainable?

Here are the most common sustainable practices that define truly sustainable fashion brands:

Using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp or TENCEL™ instead of polyester or nylon.
Ensuring garment workers are paid fairly and provided safe working conditions.
Extending the life of clothing through durability and timeless design.
Reducing carbon emissions throughout the production process and supply chain.
Designing with circular fashion principles, making clothes that can be recycled or composted.
Transparency—fashion brands openly share their practices, sourcing, and impact.

6 Tips on How to Shop Sustainably Without Getting Overwhelmed

Tip 1: Buy Less, Choose Better

Instead of filling your closet with trendy, low-quality pieces, invest in timeless, well-made clothing you’ll wear again and again.

Tip 2: Prioritize Sustainable Materials

Look for fabrics like organic cotton, hemp or TENCEL™. For example, CUFT® makes underwear from TENCEL™, which is both breathable and compostable.

Tip 3: Support Ethical Brands

Seek out fashion brands that pay their workers fairly and disclose their supply chains. Ethical fashion is a cornerstone of sustainability.

Tip 4: Extend the Life of Your Clothing

Repair, upcycle, or swap clothes with friends before buying something new. Extending the life of clothing by just nine months reduces its environmental footprint by 20–30%.

Tip 5: Avoid Fast Fashion Impulse Buys

Fast fashion thrives on cheap labor and high waste. Even skipping a few purchases makes a difference.

Tip 6: Try Compostable or Recyclable Clothing

Some garments, like CUFT®’s underwear, are designed to break down naturally, reducing landfill waste.

The Best Fabrics for Sustainable Fashion

Not all fabrics are created equal. Here’s how natural and synthetic materials compare:

Best choices:

Organic cotton (less water, no pesticides)
TENCEL™ (made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process)
Hemp (durable, minimal water use)

Less sustainable options:

Polyester, nylon, acrylic (synthetic fibers made from fossil fuels, shed microplastics)
Conventional cotton (heavy pesticide and water use)

CUFT® is committed to using sustainable materials like TENCEL™ in its underwear collection—because your everyday basics should be both comfortable and environmentally friendly.

FAQs About Sustainable Fashion

What’s the problem with fast fashion?

Fast fashion relies on cheap synthetic fibers, underpaid garment workers, and mass production that leads to huge amounts of waste and carbon emissions.

What fabrics are most sustainable?

Organic cotton, hemp and TENCEL™ are among the most sustainable fabrics. They use fewer resources and are more environmentally friendly than synthetic fibers.

How can I shop more sustainably without breaking the bank?

You don’t need to buy expensive “eco” clothes. Start small: buy fewer items, choose secondhand, or repair what you already own. Supporting affordable sustainable brands when possible also helps.

Final Thoughts on Sustainable Fashion

So, what is sustainable fashion? It’s a more intentional way of creating and wearing clothing that values people, the planet, and longevity over quick trends.

Remember:

Buy less, choose better.
Look for sustainable practices like ethical wages and eco-friendly fabrics.
Extend the life of clothing whenever possible.

It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making progress. Even one change in your shopping habits helps reduce fashion’s impact on the environment.

Ready to take the first step? Explore CUFT®’s sustainable TENCEL™ underwear, a simple switch you can feel good about.