🌿 The Fashion Letter | #49 📩

The Most Affordable Places to Buy Non-Toxic & Sustainable Fashion

Accessible non-toxic clothing is essential, yet not everyone knows where to find it. This is why there is a continuous effort to identify safe, affordable brands with effective chemical management.

With sustainable fashion becoming more mainstream, numerous budget-friendly brands are ethically producing long-lasting garments using natural fibers and skin-friendly dyes.

It's important to note that affordability in sustainable fashion doesn't equate to ultra-low prices. Sustainable clothing focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring your spending goes towards health-friendly, durable items rather than potential health risks.

The goal is to find resilient, versatile, and timeless garments made from natural fibers that can be cherished and mended over time. Consequently, these pieces may be more expensive than cheaply made synthetic ones that quickly deteriorate.

Affordability standards in non-toxic fashion are set at basic tops under $50, fashion tops under $100, and dresses/jumpsuits under $150 (USD). Check the brands.

The Sustainability Report 2024 – Available Now

The Interline's second Sustainability Report spans 100 pages and includes exclusive editorial content from various industry perspectives, detailed technology vendor profiles, executive interviews, and an updated analysis of the market for sustainability solutions in fashion.

Supported by Munich Fabric Start, this year's Sustainability Report features an exclusive foreword and insights from Managing Director Sebastian Klinder.

The "shareable version" is suitable for most readers, featuring a low file size ideal for sharing with colleagues. This version opens in a new browser tab and can be saved from there.

Building on the initial thoughts and findings from the 2023 Sustainability Report, the 2024 edition examines how the definition of sustainability is evolving and how technology solutions are adapting to meet these changes. It includes unique stories from industry figures and key insights into how leading technology companies are developing the infrastructure and experiences urgently needed by the fashion industry. Download here.

Genderless style: Are we finally ready for a new age of fashion?

Fashion that is described as 'genderless,' 'gender-neutral,' 'gender-fluid,' or 'unisex' challenges traditional distinctions in clothing, such as colors and patterns typically associated with specific genders.

This concept isn't new. Designers like Pierre Cardin in the 60s and David Bowie in the 70s showcased styles that blurred gender lines, but it wasn't termed "genderless fashion" back then. Visionaries like Cardin and Rudi Gernreich aimed to subvert gender norms, yet their avant-garde designs weren't suitable for everyday wear, and unisex fashion later gained a reputation for being shapeless and dull.

Historically, unisex fashion struggled to gain mainstream appeal due to its lack of defined aesthetics. Shih-Shun Huang of #DAMUR, a Berlin-based gender-fluid label, noted that societal expectations play a significant role in this challenge. However, increasing interest in genderless designs and a growing demand for such fashion indicate shifting attitudes.

Smaller brands and individual collections are leading the charge in gender-neutral fashion, with events like Berlin Fashion Week highlighting these emerging trends and young labels focused on non-binary designs. Check more here.

Boody. Make Yourself Comfortable

Their objective is to create the finest underwear available - straightforward and focused on supreme softness and functionality. As they have grown, so have their product offerings and sustainability credentials.

Their products, meticulously crafted from organically-grown bamboo viscose, are designed to help you live more purposefully and comfortably. They avoid fleeting trends that lead to overconsumption, instead focusing on designing everyday essentials with these principles:

Comfort-first: They are obsessed with comfort, ensuring their products are the most comfortable, guaranteed.

Rigorous testing: Every aspect of a product’s fit, design, and feel is thoroughly tested to ensure long-lasting satisfaction, preventing unnecessary waste.

No objections: Designed with a "no-objections" philosophy to ensure you always feel good.

Softer with every wash: Crafted from organically grown bamboo viscose, this material is incredibly comfy, soft, and breathable - ideal for underwear, socks, and everyday basics close to the skin.

Signature blends: Their innovative and sustainable fabric blends make every collection the perfect fit.

Despite their concerns about the environment and authenticity, Gen Z consumers are major contributors to the fast-fashion industry.

This study explores the reasons behind this behavior and investigates the role of greenwashing tactics employed by fast-fashion brands.

By understanding consumer behavior and applying ethical principles, businesses can create more sustainable and responsible practices.

Join Ian Parkman, Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland.

How can you promote circular fashion through sustainable branding and marketing?

Promoting circular fashion through sustainable branding and marketing can be highly effective in driving positive change in the fashion industry.

Top experts in this article selected by the Linkedin community from 42 contributions talk about some strategies to consider:

1. Define your purpose

2. Know your audience

3. Create your message

4. Choose your channels

5. Engage your community

6. Innovate your offer

7. Here’s what else to consider

By integrating these strategies into your branding and marketing efforts, you can effectively promote circular fashion and encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Advances in technology have made supply chains more transparent and circular

The fashion industry is evolving towards a closed-loop, transparent, and sustainable model by integrating advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and big data analytics.

Blockchain ensures traceability from raw material sourcing to inventory management, while smart manufacturing optimizes resource use. Digital tools such as virtual sampling and 3D design significantly reduce waste.

Innovations in polymer chemistry and synthetic biology are driving the adoption of sustainable materials like bio-based and recycled fibers. Efficient sorting and recycling technologies further enhance end-of-life management of clothing.

These technological advancements are crucial for achieving a sustainable fashion industry. Notably, consumer interest in fashion rental platforms with lower environmental impacts has surged, with a UN report indicating a more than 25% increase in rental transactions worldwide between 2020 and 2021.

The Shopping Conspiracy📽

Out now, just in time to curb holiday excess! 📣The Shopping Conspiracy, a new Netflix documentary that uncovers how fast fashion giants manipulate consumers into overbuying, while exploiting labor and causing environmental destruction.

This film dives deep into the toxic practices driving this massive industry, exposing the system behind the shopping frenzy.

The holidays are a time for giving, but overproduction and overconsumption leave behind more than joy—they create mountains of waste. 🌍 Returned gifts often end up in landfills or incinerators, doubling carbon emissions and fueling the cycle of exploitation in the fashion industry.

Let’s give thoughtfully, shop small, and buy less.

BlackFriday is already in full swing, with brands using millions of dollars and decades of data fro trick you into over consuming. Want to take a step back from it all? Take the #NoNewClothes challenge through Remake