4 Sustainability Trends in the Fashion Industry You Should Know About

Sustainability is a topic that has completely taken over the fashion industry in the past decade.

Now more than ever, consumers value brands that are working towards more environmentally friendly alternatives.

So, why should we care so much?

There is a reason companies are putting such a high emphasis on sustainable fashion, and that reason is pollution.

In fact, the fashion industry is the second largest cause of pollution in the world — crazy right?

From buying from sustainable brands, to renting clothing items, there are a number of ways you can get involved in shopping sustainably. 

Thrifting | Sustainable Fashion Trend #1

Thrifting is the biggest sustainability trend when it comes to the fashion industry.

But why is it so popular right now?

Although second hand clothing stores have been around forever, thrifting has just recently been labeled as “cool”. Gen-Z can be a big reason to thank for this trend, as the topic of thrifting has blown up over social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube.

In addition, online thrift-stores have dramatically risen in sales. 

From internet celebs like Emma Chamberlain and Devon Lee Carlson, to smaller influencers like Ruby Lyn, there are countless fashion influencers promoting shopping secondhand.

If there is any trend to get behind, it is definitely thrifting. Here’s why; 

Secondhand clothing offers a solution to this problem as it is very affordable.

Online platforms like Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, Vinted, etc., make it easy to shop pre-owned clothes from the comfort of your home.

Aside from saving money, a quite obvious benefit to thrifting is that it is sustainable. Buying secondhand clothing reduces a ton of waste. Thrifting can also help you find unique pieces and curate your closet to your own personal style.

Luckily for us shopping second hand has become easier than ever, as there are countless online thrift and consignment stores, including ThredUp, Swap.com, Poshmark, Ebay, Vinted, Grailed, Depop…(the list goes on).

Minimalism | Sustainable Fashion Trend #2

A simple and obvious way to support sustainable fashion is to buy less.

Minimalism is a huge trend in the fashion industry that helps with this idea. By buying less clothing and getting rid of clothes you don’t wear a lot, you are creating a ‘minimal’ closet.

Minimalism embraces the idea of buying pieces you will wear a lot and staple clothing items. This helps with overconsumption and giving into fast fashion and trends.

The goal is that companies will produce less items if we stop over-consuming. 

One reason this trend has become popular is because of social media influencers and the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic.

It acts as sort of a rebellion against the overwhelmingly fast fashion trends and often focuses on more neutral colors and quality items. Since there are so many different styles and aesthetics out there today, minimalism can help you be conscious about what you’re spending money on. 

Jil Sander, a high-end luxury brand, is one fashion brand that embodies minimalism. Known for its modernity and sophistication, Jil Sander uses neutral colors, clean design, and a “less is more” attitude to embrace minimalist fashion.

Minimalism can even be seen in loungewear with brands like Essentials and Talentless, who focus on neutral color palettes of sweatshirts and sweatpants. 

Renting Fashion | Sustainable Fashion Trend #3

Yet another trend we’ve seen in the fashion world is renting fashion.

This trend can be super beneficial especially when it comes to needing a new outfit for a wedding, job interview, birthday, or simply wanting to upgrade your closet! Why buy a super expensive dress brand new that you’re only going to wear once when you can borrow it for a cheaper price?

There are many new online stores that offer rental clothing/accessories.

One of the most popular being Rent the Runway. Rent the Runway allows you to rent designer pieces from brands like Club Monaco, Tory Burch, and Reformation. You get to choose a plan from different prices to receive 4, 8, or 16 items a month, so there are options available for every budget. 

Another Rental site is Tulerie. Tulerie is a peer-to-peer rental app that allows you to rent each other's wardrobes.

New members are introduced via Facetime so you feel secure about sharing your clothes, it’s a respectful platform. There are so many other  rental fashion sites making their way into popularity including Nuuly, Fashion to Figure Closet, Gwynnie Bee, Vince Unfold, and more.

No matter what platform you choose to rent from, the earth (and your wallet) will thank you. 

Sustainable Packaging | Sustainable Fashion Trend #4

Aside from the clothing itself, there is much waste produced as a result of packaging.

Plastic packaging is estimated to make up 26% of the total volume of plastics created a year according to Sustainability organization Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

This is why sustainable packing is of great importance and has become a focus in the fashion world. 

Many brands have taken it upon themselves to create packaging that consumers are more likely to keep and use.

Lululemon’s reusable tote bag is a great example of reusable packaging that's been around for years. In addition, many brands are creating packaging that is recyclable.

In fact, Zara aims to be 100% landfill free by 2025.

This is because they also allow customers to bring unwanted items back into the store to be repurposed or recycled. 

✍️ Written by Sydney Sokol