is MADE TO MEASURE SUSTAINABLE?
Clothing production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. So what can you as a consumer do to offset your environmental impact and how can you support brands fighting this trend?
THE IMPACTS
20% of global industrial water pollution comes from textile treatment and dyeing. The industry uses 1.5 trillion litres of water a year as huge quantities of fresh water are used for the dyeing and finishing process of all our clothes.
As a reference, on average it takes over 200 tons of fresh water per ton of dyed fabric but in terms of cotton it can be much worse; 20,000 litres of water are needed to produce just 1kg of cotton.
As clothing production becomes more advanced and the demand for quick, cheap options becomes more intense, brands are using more and more micro fibers and synthetic materials to construct their products. This is disastrous for our environment as every time we wash a synthetic garment (polyester, nylon, etc), about 1,900 individual micro fibers are released into the water, making their way into our oceans.
These micro-fibers are then eaten by marine animals, meaning we are introducing plastic into a delicate, natural ecosystem. These fibres also do not break down efficiently and can take up to 200 years to decompose. This combined with the fact that an average western family throws away 30kg of clothing a year has lead to 5.2% of the contents of landfills globally being claimed by clothing.
HOW CAN I HELP?
The answer to how you as an individual can help move against this trend through your clothing choices is simply to only buy things that you truly need and really love.
The fast fashion model revolves around compromise and impulse, meaning most items bought from these brands aren’t exactly what the customer is looking for, but are just good enough for a few wears before they are disposed of. This attitude combined with deteriorating construction standards is leading to the lifespan of clothing getting shorter and shorter.
Well-made clothing should last for decades if cared for properly. Trends may come and go, but never so dramatically that items can’t be recycled, re-fashioned or repaired as opposed to thrown away. Made to measure clothing presents itself as a way of having something made that is EXACTLY what you need and love.
By working with a trusted tailor to commission a piece that perfectly reflects your lifestyle, you can build a wardrobe of only a few garments, but garments that reflect you as an individual, not a mass market.
Made to measure also means not sacrificing on fit. The fit of a garment is one of the key reasons it may be thrown away, either due to the wearer’s body changing or as fit trends change.
Through having clothing made to your measurements, you not only ensure that it is comfortable, flattering and breathable, you also ensure that if your weight changes, you can work with your tailor through alterations and if the garment is designed with a timeless fit, it won’t be subject to trends throughout the years and will always look good.
We at BELANCĒ passionately believe in made to measure clothing as an effective way of combating the confronting impacts clothing production has on our environment. The reality is we all need some clothing, we don’t however need the large amount of pieces that many assume they need.
We challenge our customers to embrace minimalism and versatility in their clothing choices. We work with our customers to build a uniform of durable, timeless pieces that satisfy their diverse range of lifestyles.
You have the power to fight against the fast fashion machine, and if you decide to do so by having your clothing custom made, you have made a wise choice on behalf of not only the environment, but also yourself.
