Today, we have countless fashion styles at the tip of our fingers. We are fortunate to be able to express ourselves in any way we please, even if we have a budget to follow. But oftentimes, we forget about the quality of clothing we choose and how it plays an important part in our lives. With today's various trends developed at a rapid pace for mass consumption, we tend to focus primarily on the price tag and brand when discerning whether we should make a purchase. But, the quality of our clothes should be considered as well.
Synthetic materials (such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon) have their upsides, as they are usually inexpensive, easy to clean, wrinkle-free, and made for various styles and seasons. They are also the best material for sportswear. On the other hand, because these unnatural fabrics are plastics made from petroleum, the negative effects far outweigh the few positives:
Synthetic materials are plastics and are NOT biodegradable. It takes hundreds of years to break down, and the micro-plastics that are left seep into our environment, ending up in landfills, floating in the ocean, and polluting our air.
Wearing cheap materials is detrimental to our physical health. We absorb the microplastics into our bodies, which degrades our immune system over time.
Synthetic materials are not breathable. Therefore, there is no natural airflow, which leaves us feeling stuffy and sweaty.
When it comes to clothing for colder weather, wearing wool fabrics will feel a lot warmer and more comfortable than any man-made materials.
Cheaply made clothing does NOT make you look polished or elevated no matter what style it is. For example, unlike a natural wool suit, a polyester one will have a certain shine that reflects its plastic nature and will give it an unrefined look. The higher quality fabric you wear, the better you look.
Moving Forward...
When shopping, choose natural, biodegradable materials (such as hemp, flax, linen, cotton, bamboo, etc.). You can also choose animal-based natural wools, such as alpaca, cashmere, and mohair, etc.
Realizing that natural materials are more comfortable, healthier and look better as well, what should we do with our current wardrobe? Donate or keep your articles of clothing, but do NOT throw them away. If you decide to keep them, wash these items less frequently to reduce the amount of microplastics being transferred into our water system.
Think of purchasing quality clothing as an investment. Yes, they are pricier, but they are durable if treated with the proper care. Learn how to wash, dry, and store your natural fabrics and they can last you a lifetime!
If spending more money is something you cannot or do not wish to do, thrifting is always an affordable option.
In the end, purchasing eco-friendly fabrics makes us conscious consumers, while doing our part to better ourselves and the world around us. Responsibility and beauty go hand in hand.
Behind every article of clothing is a story… be fashionable, choose wisely, and enjoy!
“Only an excellent fabric can originate an excellent fashion.” – Nino Cerruti