How Fashion Brands Are Becoming More Sustainable in 2023

It is important that we take responsibility for the planet and understand how we can protect it from the effects of global warming and the pollution we produce.

Unfortunately, fashion has actually been very slow as an industry when it comes sustainability and conservation. This is why it is crucial that we act today to change this.

Remember, clothes won’t change the world, but the people who wear them will. So, let’s take a closer look at how fashion brands are becoming more sustainable in 2023.

How is sustainability changing the fashion industry?

The fashion industry is one of the main contributors to pollution, accounting for about 10% of carbon emissions. Not only that, but this industry is highly controversial when it comes to human rights, especially in relation to exploiting workers. Many workers, especially women who are aged 18 – 35 and make up around 80% of the fashion industry’s workforce, need to work long shifts and receive less than minimum wage in compensation for their efforts.

All of these issues are extremely problematic; however, this may change thanks to sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion is focused on producing fashionable garments, accessories and clothing that have a minimal effect on the environment. That way, fashion brands can lower their carbon footprints and focus on making sure the brand is fair in relation to its stakeholders.

What are fashion brands doing?

Although things may look a little bleak, fashion brands are trying to become more sustainable. Here’s what they are doing in 2023 to help lessen their impact on the environment:

1. Resale Platforms

First up, over the past few years we have seen a rise in the number of Resale Platforms like Depop, Vinted, The Luxury, and Denim Library. These platforms are helping us move towards a more circular model, but it is still relatively small compared to how much we consume.

Second-hand goods are often cheaper than their brand-new counterparts, and there’s a growing consumer preference for sustainable and environmentally friendly products.

By bringing together buyers and sellers in one online space, online marketplaces help streamline the second-hand market, thus making it more accessible to consumers. With the benefit of lower prices and greater sustainability, it’s easy to see why the second-hand trend is growing.

2. Sustainable Production

New practices in sustainable production are the next area on which fashion brands will focus. The fashion industry must use less water and energy in the production of clothing and with that becoming increasingly important, brands are taking steps to present their consumers with ethical fashion.

Sustainable practices for production include utilising low-impact dyes, recycling water, and reducing carbon emissions. A recent report presented by the Environmental Protection Agency highlighted that the textile industry alone is responsible for more than 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This has to reduce if we are to protect our planet.

3. The Rise of Circular Fashion

Circular fashion involves designing clothes to be reused, recycled, and repurposed. Brands are exploring new ways to make clothes that are durable and can be worn for longer. The Global Fashion Agenda report estimated that the circular economy in fashion will be worth $4.5 trillion (£3.6 trillion) by 2030. This shows a great future for circular fashion.

Circularity will continue to be a key trend for fashion brands in 2023, as new legislation works to tackle the issue of throwaway fashion and the immense amount of textile waste that still ends up in landfill or is burned. Many brands have only ‘piloted’ circularity programmes, but legislation will promote a permanent move towards more durable fashion, along with an increased focus on repair, resale, and rental.

4. Repurposing and Upcycling

The use of existing fabrics to design and create new clothing is emerging as a popular trend in the industry. Brands are utilising different upcycled materials, like vintage textiles, to design new clothing. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation report presented that upcycling can help reduce the fashion industry's environmental impact by up to 30%.

5. Ethical and Transparent Manufacturing

Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in understanding where their clothes come from and how they are made, and brands are responding to their consumers by being more transparent about their supply chains and implementing ethical manufacturing practices. According to a recent survey, around 69% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly and sustainable products.

6. Renting

Another alternative that the fashion industry is exploring to help cut down on pricey fashion is the renting of clothes. The rental market has surged in recent years. Rather than purchasing high-end fashion, consumers can rent and save money, while protecting the environment as well as employees in the fashion supply chain.

This is perceived as a preferable alternative when searching for unique or one-off pieces of clothing for events like weddings or parties. There are some great rental companies like My Wardrobe HQ, Hurr, By Rotation, Cocoon, and Selfridges Rental.

7. Delivery Practices

The search for more environmentally friendly delivery methods will be a major trend in 2023 and is crucial for the fashion industry.

The ‘last mile’ is known as the most complex and expensive part of any delivery. It accounts for over 50% of the total cost of shipping. Demand for urban last-mile delivery is expected to grow by nearly 80% by 2030, the World Economic Forum reported. This would lead to 36% more delivery vehicles in the top 100 cities across the globe.

If we don't do anything to make this more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable, the result will be a 32% increase in carbon emissions from urban delivery traffic by 2030.

Ways to combat some of this include the reduction of unnecessary packaging, the consolidation of multiple orders in the same package, or asking customers to wait a little longer to receive products in order to reduce unnecessary vehicle journeys.

How are fast fashion brands becoming more sustainable?

Let’s take a moment to consider fast fashion brands and their impact on the environment. Unfortunately, fast fashion brands do have a bad impact on the environment, and back in 2020, it was found by Fashion Checker that 93% of fast fashion brands didn’t pay their workers a proper wage. This type of behaviour should not be tolerated.

Fast fashion appeals to people because it can be widely produced and distributed to paying customers. So, it is important that fast fashion brands consider their sustainability and look into ways to become more environmentally friendly. Some of the changes they could do include:

• Working with sustainable brands

• Using eco-friendly packaging

• Creating fashion designs with sustainable factories

• Utilising the services of a renewable or sustainable energy provider

• Making long-lasting fashion

With that said, quite a few fast fashion brands, such as H&M and Levi’s, are working with I:CO to collect garments and shoes to recycle or reuse them. Other brands, like C&A, have created plans to eventually only use organic cotton, in order to combat the negative impacts cotton farming has on the environment.

Are you ready to purchase sustainable fashion?

It is crucial that we, as the consumer, play our part in making sure our fashion choices are sustainable. Your support could mean all the difference and you will be making sure we can have a healthier planet for many generations to come.

At Denim Library, we dispatch our products in 100% recyclable and biodegradable Kraft packaging that is strong and re-useable, and the jeans are delivered 'au naturale' with no unnecessary wrapping. We also ship just one day a week, which means significantly fewer van journeys. Our customers agree that the contribution is worth the short wait for their vintage denim jeans.