P.S: There are easy alternatives!

It’s easy to love vibrant colours, psychedelic prints and January sales—but spare a thought and you’ll find out how the most appealing features of the fashion industry are impacting the environment. Surprising as it may sound, the most popular fabrics like polyester and cotton make the industry the second largest polluter in the world. So, when you head out to shop for the most amazing deals this season, opt for something that lasts longer, doesn’t require a frequent wash and, goes without saying, stands for who you are.

It’s a tacit truth – we love fast fashion! But is it as eco-friendly as it is appealing to the eye? In a nutshell—probably not.

One of the most popular fabrics, polyester, definitely makes heads turn; and we have all worn it in different forms before. But wash it once and it’s microfibres are already leaching into the environment and polluting the oceans through sewage. Polyester, along with some other fabrics, is a form of plastic—and can reach the ocean by simply being shed from our clothing. Think about how many clothes are washed and how many people wear clothes every day.

On top of that, the synthetic fibres are non-biodegradable while natural fibres like cotton are water-thirsty. At best, it could take about 30 years for your polyester shirt to decompose; and at worst, 300 years! Nonetheless, there are alternate fibres on the showcase these days, that are eco-friendlier and solve the purpose just as well.

Viscose, a natural fibre, requires three buckets of water during production, as opposed to 50 buckets needed by cotton, and biodegrades faster. If it doesn’t sound a lot, that’s for one garment alone. It also drapes well and is breathable for the skin. Viscose is something that looks good and is eco-friendly at the same time.

While a lot of people today are switching to products and habits that are relatively eco-friendlier, it is easy to miss the fact that one of our most used possessions could be such a huge contaminant. Clothing is an everlasting need of every person — which also means a small decision like choosing the right fabric on your next shopping spree would mean a healthier environment to breathe in.

So, whether it’s jackets or jumpsuits, there are alternatives to synthetic fibres that can still give an admirable lustre to your overall look; and prove to be just as versatile as you would like your ensembles to be.

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