The environmental cost of clothes, and what genuinely makes a difference.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 2 November 2026
What is sustainable fashion?
Clothing made and used in ways that reduce harm to the planet and to the people who make it: fewer resources and chemicals, fair pay and safe conditions, and clothes that last and are reused or recycled rather than thrown away.
Why is fast fashion a problem?
Fast fashion produces huge volumes of cheap clothing, often in synthetic fabrics, that are worn only a few times. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated in 2017 that the equivalent of one rubbish truck of textiles is landfilled or burned every second. Textile dyeing is also a major source of water pollution, and the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh exposed the human cost.
What can you do to dress more sustainably?
- Buy less, and wear what you buy more often
- Choose quality and durable fibres
- Buy and sell second-hand and vintage
- Repair, alter and care for clothes properly
- Look for credible certifications, such as GOTS for organic textiles
- Be wary of vague claims like “eco” or “conscious” without evidence (greenwashing)
Read on Ayerhs: Why Sustainable Fashion Is More Than Just a Trend · Is Fast Fashion Really That Bad? · The Impact of Textile Dyes on the Environment · A Call for Fashion Brands to Shoulder the Burden of Textile Waste · The Lagos-London Designer Reshaping Waste · Resale and vintage