Even efforts like sustainability have their pros and cons. While the eco-friendly fashion industry might sound beneficial for consumers and the planet alike, there will always be a few downsides you should know.
This article delves into the dark side of sustainable fashion that you should know before you assume that everything about it is as good as it claims to be.
Ineffective without Full Market Adoption
Unfortunately, although some sustainable brands are starting to make a difference, you can’t expect them to save the whole planet. Sustainable fashion will only make a solid and actual impact if an industry-wide change takes place.
The fashion industry, specifically the fast fashion sector, has been enjoying a boom for years. However, most of them no longer make the effort to promote sustainable production.
Sustainable fashion will only be effective if the different fashion sectors are on board. Companies that rely on volume production cannot and usually refuse to shift to sustainable processes. Their need to grow is a major stumbling block right from the get-go.
Support at All Levels is Necessary
The sustainable fashion system will only work if it receives support from all levels. All brands should express genuine commitment to change their production values and methods.
Governments must execute regulations and policies to encourage brands to make the necessary changes and urge companies to adhere to such policies.
On a similar note, the general public should have the willingness to shop from sustainable brands even if this means their shopping habit should change.
Sadly, this level of market-wide cooperation is not an easy feat and so far, it hasn’t been implemented yet at a scale that will allow a complete industry shift.
Limited Options Because of Limited Brands
Although the sustainable market is growing, it’s far from being a giant. It just means that some brands simply don’t cater to all style preferences. The sector’s niche elements leave people without any choices that will fit their tastes. As a result, they just end up buying from mainstream fashion brands.
Most sustainable fashion brands have exclusive online operations and lack brick-and-mortar shops which further limit the choices for consumers.
Sustainable Clothes Come with Higher Price Tags
Sustainable clothing is generally pricier. While there is a justifiable reason behind this, specifically the higher cost of fair wages and sustainable materials, the high price tags make the sector inaccessible for most people.
Although you can enjoy more savings down the road with higher quality clothes, not everyone has enough money to spare to get these quality items. Most people won’t be able to access the sustainable fashion sector, no matter how they want to, until it becomes more affordable.
The dark side of sustainable fashion is a complex one because it is not entirely dark. But as the industry grows and finds its way into the rest of the fashion market, hopefully, people will try to delve into this interesting sector and weigh its pros and cons first before tapping into it.
