Sustainability and The Environment: Why Your Buying Habits Matter
I never really understood the reality of environmental damage until I moved to New Orleans. When you live here for years, it’s easy to see the environment slowly bite back as we abuse it more. In the city, we see it in the form of increased street flooding during regular rainstorms, while outside the levee system our wetlands are visibly disappearing. As a result, I’ve become passionate about sustainability.
We talk a lot about food sustainability, but little about how the fashion industry affects the planet. In reality, the fashion industry is the source of a staggering amount of damage worldwide. It pollutes water systems, wastes water and creates byproducts that end up in landfills for more than half a century afterward.
Today we’re going to cover some fast facts about fashion and the environment along with some things that you can do to help the planet in small ways.
1. Creating fabric for the fashion industry uses up a ton of drinkable water.
Drinkable water is a dwindling resource and fabric production uses a lot of it. Even natural fabrics require lots of water to grow which results in the water used becoming polluted and undrinkable.
2. Fabric production creates water pollution and pesticide run-off.
When we think of pollution we think of things like fabric dyes, but pesticide run-off from plants like cotton have a huge impact on our eco-systems. Many plants that become natural fabrics can’t be grown in large yields without these chemicals, making pollution profitable.
3. Many fabrics and chemicals used to make clothing do not degrade over time.
We all know plastic bags are bad, but what about the plastic in our clothing? Many synthetic fibers and pieces used in garment construction do not degrade over time, which means they end up in landfills and in our water.
4. The fast fashion cycle that dominates the industry means that clothing is designed to be worn very little and then thrown away.
Fashion pieces are so accessible these days that many are designed to be thrown out after only four wears. The emphasis is on trends rather than on quality pieces that stand the test of time, which puts more pressure on the environment.
All of this sounds pretty dire, right?
Related: The Best Places To Donate Your Old Bras
So what can we do?
1. Search out fashion and lingerie pieces made from organic fabric when possible.
Organic fabrics are grown without harsh pesticides, although they still use a lot of water. When possible, opt for chemical-free fabrics that are grown sustainably.
2. Buy quality pieces that will stand the test of time and commit to wearing them until they are worn out.
This is the best thing you can do for the planet and future generations. Buy quality clothing and take care of it: it’s that simple. If something gets a tiny tear it in, have it mended rather than throwing it out!
3. Look for pieces made out of recycled fabrics.
Many fashion and lingerie lines are now experimenting with recycled fabrics, so look for new releases that are using this sort of fabric. The best way to lessen your impact on the planet is to go through less new fabric overall.
4. Commit to hand washing lingerie whenever possible.
I know we’re all tempted to toss our bras in the washer — I’m guilty of it as well! However, hand washing really does extend the lifetime of your lingerie considerably. Buy a nice lingerie soap or even some baby shampoo and make an effort to hand wash your lingerie and gently air dry it.
We owe it to ourselves to try to limit our impact on the world around us! Also, buying quality clothing and lingerie is easier on the planet and on your wallet. In the long run, you’ll save money and help make the world around you a better place. Did you like these easy tips? If so, make sure to share this article with a friend!
Related: Bra Care 101: How To Wash Bras
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Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
