Were We Sustainable Before? — I Knock Fashion

Fast fashion is the major cause of why a need for sustainable fashion came into place again. Big brands like Zara, Forever 21 and H&M constantly sell new styles that lead to disposable clothing every year since the trend dies out as soon as it reaches the market sometimes. Although trends can be really fun, the major problem lies in the huge environmental and ethical costs, that comes with manufacturing such kind of clothing.

What is sustainable fashion?

When we talk about sustainability, it is defined by development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable fashion, on the other hand, is a movement and process of fostering change in to fashion products and the fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice.

Were we sustainable before?

Before modernization struck, the world was a much simpler place with just a few things in life to keep us happy and content. Before mass retail chains were introduced, people mostly went for local clothing buys and other locally made products, that surprisingly lasted for a long period of time. In fact, you might find something in your parent’s closet that is still being worn by them or is in a next-to-perfect condition.

Why is that? It’s mainly because the raw material used and procured during that period used to be of high quality as compared to bulk clothing made in large factories of poor or mixed quality material. Other than just clothing, shopping bags weren’t made out of plastic but either of newspaper, muslin/cotton fabric, or anything that could be reused or disposed off in an environment friendly manner.

Practices like ethical fashion, slow fashion and eco-friendly fashion are also synonymous to sustainable fashion as they are considered as major factors of sustainability. In today’s era, sustainability might be the only way to preserve our cultural heritage, keeping the environment free from pollution and debris collection.

Sustainable techniques in the early days

Indeed, modern amenities and conveniences are great in many ways but there are a lot of things we can learn from older generations to help live a sustainable lifestyle.

Textile Dyes and Natural Fabrics in Early days

In the early days, fabrics like cotton, flax, handloom weaves, crocheted, knits were given more of preference since these were the only raw materials easily available and it was a skill practiced by many. Because of these plant based fabrics and its usage, the quality was rather high and lasted for a long period of time indicating that we were sustainable before.

As sustainable fashion is also doing its rounds, new fabrics are being developed which are hemp-based, organic cotton and silk, linen, pineapple or soy leather, recycled nylon/polyester. Sustainable fashion is also preserving most of our culture and heritage by reviving the age-old skills of handloom weavers, embroiderers and other craftsmen who also get a platform to exhibit their talents.

Dating back to ancient civilizations dyes have had a long history too. The use of dyes began thousands of years ago. Some evidences even show how textile dyeing dates back as early as the Neolithic Period or New Stone Age, which took place around 10,200 BCE.

Records of other data states that dyeing was done more than 4,000 years ago because of the evidence of dyed fabrics found in Egyptian tombs. Meanwhile, the use of black, white, yellow, and reddish pigments made from ochre in cave painting were traced back as early as 15,000 BCE.

During 7,200 to 2,000 BCE, the period when fixed settlements and textiles were being developed, dyes were originally derived from sources found in nature such as vegetables, plants, trees, lichens, and insects. Dependence on natural dyes went on for a long time until the 1850s.Some of the natural dyes used in ancient times were indigo, alizarin, Tyrian purple, yellow and logwood.

Going green or sustainable in fashion is an excellent move as it would lead to a more environment friendly industry. With so many age-old practices being incorporated from the early days combined with technology, it’s safe to say that we are going on the right track and making possible measures to mend what’s broken. Many designers of the industry are supporting this practice by creating sustainable lines of clothing and opening up about the importance of the Go Green movement in fashion.

Source: https://www.iknockfashion.com/were-we-sustainable-before/