In the last decade, it has dawned on more and more of us that the clothes we wear have a direct impact on our environment.
The fashion industry with its high waste and disposable products is the second biggest contributor to the problem in the world. The interest in sustainability has skyrocketed in recent years and initiatives and technology have followed suit. In 2020 sustainability has become more in the forefront than ever. At a time when we are all starting to appreciate the importance of family and the beauty of nature, protecting the planet for our future generations is crucial. Here we discover some of the sustainable fashion trends that are helping to shape up the future of the industry in 2020.
Upcycling
Whether its re-working an old pair of jeans into a skirt or tie-dying an unwanted T-shirt to give it a new lease of life, make your re-cycling your clothing and finding new ways to wear it is about to become a huge trend. As many of us have more time on our hands and are less concerned with keeping up appearances, what better time than right now to begin upcycling our clothes? Find new ways to wear old pieces, by easily transforming them. An old skirt can become a headband for example or cutting off the sleeves of an unwanted jacket can make it a cardigan – there are so many ways to recycle your old clothing and minimize the waste. The simple process of at-home tie-dye is also on the rise and this is also a strong trend that we saw on the spring/summer runways this year. So why not get creative this summer and upcycle some of your beloved wardrobe items.
Fabric Innovation
On a corporate scale, fashion brands are getting more and more innovative with the materials they use to create their products. From unwanted plastic water bottles to used gloves, the amount of recyclable waste is going to be huge after the coronavirus pandemic and many brands are already looking to ways they can give these materials a new lease of life. One leader in the research of new production models for sustainable development, Italian firm Aquafil created Econyl. It is a nylon substitute, which now often appears in sustainable activewear as well as on watch straps, thanks to a partnership with Breitling. Econyl recycles and regenerates synthetic waste such as fishing nets and spin them into a textile product as robust as nylon. Not only does this bring down the ocean’s pollution budget, but it also mitigates the growing need for nylon.
Many brands have banned fur and are looking for synthetic alternatives that look and feel just like fur but are much kinder to the environment and of course to animals. Leather alternatives are also in the works with fabrics including Piñatex which is made from pineapple leaves, proving a successful alternative. Through a process of “decortication”, Piñatex extracts cellulose fibres of pineapple leaves after they are harvested. They are then “degummed’ and processed to become a non-woven mesh and then given a special finish. The final result is the leather-like appearance.
The Rise of Reuse
Second-hand clothing stores were once considered a fashion faux pas. In 2020, however, the rise of second-hand clothing is back. From swap shops with friends to online apps allowing users to re-sell their unwanted items, to second-hand boutiques, many of which we have in the UAE. In the fight against waste, second-hand shopping makes a huge impact on the problem. Not only do we turn our backs on fast fashion, we simultaneously rescue pieces otherwise destined for landfills. So next time you’re going to throw away your unwanted items, think about someone else who could benefit from your waste.
Rentals
One way to combat the turnover of fashion and also help with the price tag is to rent items. Especially in the UAE when many of us are required to dress up for event after event, there are times when we do want to invest in a new item but the reality is that we may only wear it once. So rather than splurging on new items so regularly, why not rent clothes and accessories that can be used for some time and then returned. There are a number of rental sites cropping up at the moment and the price is far lower than purchasing the item in full. Whether it’s for a job interview, a night out or a special dinner with friends, renting a look will also allow you to experiment with style choices, without breaking the bank.
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