As India is moving towards sustainability, there is no doubt that this social cause is seeping into every sector of the economy. Be it energy, construction, transportation, or fashion, consumers are looking for products and services that contribute to saving resources for the next generation. What is sustainable fashion and how can you be a part of it without losing your personalised dress sense?
This blog takes you through the complete guide and helps you pick the right products from sustainable marketplaces. You can also jot down the best shopping places in different cities so the next time you visit, your choices are sustainable and budget-friendly.
Table of Contents
What is Sustainable Fashion?
The sustainable fashion market is rising in India and for all the right reasons. This practice is where brands produce high-quality clothing which does not deteriorate the environment or launch in bulk. This means limited stock of the products is manufactured to eliminate the deadstock.
But this also means an increase in overhead and not enough margins. So, what does the fashion industry do? It increases the price to cover the cost and earn revenue. Since buyers are shifting towards sustainable fashion brands in India, they are willing to pay a higher price.
What is the Need for Sustainable Fashion in India?
The Indian fashion market is bombarded with products from jeans and T-shirts to footwear and other fashion accessories. These products come under all kinds of price brackets. While some are available at throw-away prices, others are expensive owing to the brand tag that comes along with them. But one thing that remains common among these items is that they all fall under the “fast fashion category”.
Fast fashion is the process of mass-producing products and keeps on changing with the trend. This leads to people hoarding clothes, shoes, handbags, and whatnot, just so they don’t miss out on the trend. That’s why sustainable fashion has turned into the need of the hour. It puts a halt to mass production by delivering quality goods at affordable rates. And yes, they are forever trendy.
As more buyers have understood the difference between fast fashion and sustainability, the latter manufacturers have begun tapping this opportunity. They have understood the 5 R’s of sustainable fashion. Let’s take a look.
What are the 5 R’s of Sustainability in the Fashion Industry?
The sustainable fashion industry runs on these 5 R’s:
- Reduce: It is time to reduce. Shoppers have to lower their consumption and brands have to drop their production.
- Reuse: Many customers refrain from reusing their clothes. But the need of the hour is to repeat your outfit, till it doesn’t wear out. Even Alia Bhatt does it.
- Repair: Are you throwing away that T-shirt because of a ripped side? Repair it instead and save yourself from overconsumption.
- Rent: You can put your clothes to rent or even rent clothes for an event. There’s no point in pilling up the stock for ages.
- Recycle: Although recycling is the least effective method of environmentally friendly fashion, it is still crucial to reduce the waste that is in circulation.
If you feel that conscious consumption is the right way forward but are not sure about which city is best for shopping in India, we are here to help!
Top 5 Places in India for Shopping
Check out these places in India for shopping clothes, sustainably:
#1. Upasana – Pondicherry
Upasana is one of the most sustainable clothing brands in India today. It aims at creating the future fashion that protects the next generation. The warehouse is where all the imagination and actions come into place. environmentalists, designers, social workers, and students discuss how to tackle modern social issues. This is done while introducing trendy and fashionable clothing for women.
#2. Mix Mitti – Delhi
A high fashion brand in Delhi, Mix Mitti promotes environmental consciousness and animal welfare. It has launched a store where customers can shop without guilt and build their sustainable fashion wardrobe. This brand sells the most sustainable pieces like bags, shoes, accessories, and clothing.
#3. Grassroot by Anita Dongre – Mumbai
As soon as we hear Anita Dongre, our mind wanders to luxury brands. But the celebrity designer has introduced her green label Grassroots with low carbon and recycling at its core. The products are manufactured in Panipat and everything is crafted from biodegradable and breathable material.
#4. Ōshadi – Tamil Nadu
Ōshadi is a made in India brand founded by Nishanth Chopra. It works collectively with dyers, weavers, cotton farmers, and tailors to form a supply chain. The practice includes limited production, eco-friendly materials, and supporting traditional techniques.
#5. Sui Dhaga – Bhopal
Sui Dhaga focuses on fashion ethics and is based on the designer’s love for handcrafted fabrics. The team works on handloom work like Ajrakh, Dabu, Ikat, and more. Its focus on sustainability and a keen eye on detailing ensure that whichever product you purchase is of the highest quality and does not go out of trend.
#6. Chakori Ethnic – Bangalore
Chakori Ethnic is one of the best places in India for shopping and promotes handloom and handmade products across India. It celebrates Indian craft and handloom, reflected through the extensive collection of clothing and jewellery.
Your visit to any of the cities in India will help you find the best sustainability-minded brands that cater to your requirements. You can also find these brands through online shopping websites in India, but nothing beats exploring the physical showrooms and trying out those gorgeous dresses in stock.
The emerging fashion brands hint at the growing sustainable trend in India. People have started stocking their fashion wardrobe with the best products while keeping fast fashion in the backseat.
This gives us an understanding that the future of sustainable fashion in India is bright.
The Future of Fashion Trends in India
The future predicts an amalgamation of modern and traditional styles with complete attention to sustainability.
- Eco-friendly materials will be used to produce products.
- Greenwashing will be detected. Brands involved in fast fashion claim to work towards eco-friendly practices to showcase their initiative.
- Carbon offsetting will increase. Brands will purchase carbon credits equivalent to the emissions they produce.
This brings an affirmation that we are heading on the right path. With a little push towards sustainability, we can go a long way in saving the environment. If you buy sustainable goods, you will not feel like a culprit in the deteriorating health of the planet.
Plan Your Visit and Elevate Your Fashion Wardrobe
If you are planning a holiday in India, shopping is obviously on your mind. While you buy boots, mules, or sandals, purchase from a sustainable brand, it will go a long way.
For environmentally-conscious individuals, it is ideal to travel in a sustainable, eco-friendly vehicle like an electric bus. This is where Zingbus is your perfect partner. Its electric buses are focused on reducing carbon emissions, while route optimisation helps run the buses efficiently in all kinds of weather.
Book your bus tickets with Zingbus Mobile App and contribute to saving Mother Earth!
People Also Ask
Important Sustainable Fashion FAQs to Read Before Go Shopping
1. What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion is creating and consuming clothing in environmentally friendly ways, prioritizing ethical labor practices, and minimizing waste. It involves the entire lifecycle of a garment, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and promoting ethical practices. Read more.
2. Why is sustainability important in fashion?
Sustainability in fashion reduces environmental harm, lowers carbon emissions, and promotes ethical labor practices, making it essential for a healthier planet and fairer industries. It is crucial to reduce environmental impact, combat climate change, and promote ethical labor practices.
3. What are some examples of environmentally friendly fashion?
Examples include clothing made from organic materials like cotton, hemp, or bamboo, as well as recycled fabrics and eco-conscious brands committed to ethical manufacturing processes. Opting for clothing made from organic or recycled materials, like organic cotton, requires less water and is grown without harmful pesticides.
4. How do I find sustainable fashion trends?
To find sustainable fashion trends, follow eco-conscious fashion blogs, subscribe to sustainability-focused brands, and research materials that align with your values.
5. Who benefits from sustainable fashion?
Consumers, workers, and the environment all benefit from sustainable fashion. Consumers get high-quality, lasting products; workers enjoy fair wages and safe conditions; and the environment suffers less pollution and resource depletion.
6. What are the key elements of sustainable fashion?
Key elements include reducing waste and pollution, promoting efficient use of resources, protecting the health of workers and consumers, and supporting fair trade practices.
7. What are the 7 Rs of sustainable fashion?
The 7 Rs are: Reduce (buy less), Reuse (repurpose old items), Recycle (turn waste into new materials), Repair (fix clothes), Resell (sell pre-loved items), Rent (borrow instead of buying), and Refuse (avoid unsustainable products). Learn more.
8. What are the points of sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion focuses on eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, reducing carbon footprint, waste minimization, promoting recycling, and supporting slow fashion over fast fashion. It aims to create a responsible and transparent industry that values quality and longevity over quantity. See the infographic here.
9. Which brands come under sustainable fashion?
Several international brands prioritize sustainable fashion practices, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Stella McCartney, Reformation, Everlane, and Veja, among others. In India, Upasana, Mix Mitti, Grassroot by Anita Dongre, Ōshadi, Sui Dhaga, Chakori Ethnic, and others are the emerging sustainable fashion brands that people are choosing to buy. These brands prioritize ethical sourcing, transparency, and environmental responsibility.
10. What is the future of sustainable fashion?
The future of sustainable fashion includes innovations in eco-friendly materials, circular fashion models, increased consumer awareness, and stricter regulations. Brands will likely adopt more transparent practices, focusing on sustainability to meet the growing demand for responsible fashion choices. Read more.
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