The Role of Clothing Labels in Promoting Sustainable Fashion
The modern consumer is highly attuned to the harmful effects of fast fashion and wishes to attain a more sustainable lifestyle. A key part of this for fashion brands is highlighting the many ways in which their brand is sustainable throughout its entire life cycle.
Why sustainability matters
Fashion brands are operating in a very crowded market sector, and to secure repeat business requires playing to the needs and desires of the modern consumer. Today’s buyer is an environmentally-conscious individual, highly attuned to the sensitivities of global warming and the harmful effects of consumerism on our planet.
To appeal to such individuals and attract them to your brand requires demonstrating and continually reinforcing your brand’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices throughout your entire business. Only by doing so will you secure a loyal following who will, regardless of their economic circumstances, demonstrate a strong preference towards your brand over your competition.
Areas in which sustainability can be achieved
Concept and manufacture
The people who design and manufacture your clothing items must do so with sustainability in mind. They must consider the longevity and recyclability of the materials they select, source them from ethical suppliers whose methods do not contribute to deforestation or biodiversity loss, and pay a living wage.
In-service
Your garments should be of the highest possible quality standards to enhance their longevity. The longer they remain in service, the lower their environmental impact becomes. They should be washable at low temperatures and not discolor or disfigure in normal use.
Ideally, your garments should be of sufficient quality to be re-sold or donated after the first owner no longer requires them, as this further extends their lifetime.
End of life
Once the clothing item is no longer suitable for use, it should be responsibly disposed of. This means it should be made from a material that can be recycled, or it should be returned to the brand to be reused or repurposed. Keeping the item out of the landfill is the primary concern.
How clothing labels help achieve these aims
Labels do more than simply display the manufacturer’s name and item size. They demonstrate a brand’s commitment to sustainability in many ways:
- They reassure consumers that the materials used are ethically sourced, organic, or recyclable.
- They provide care instructions that, when adhered to, can extend the product’s lifetime.
- They prove that a product is genuine, increasing its resale value.
Top tips for choosing clothing labels
There are some important considerations when choosing clothing labels. To maintain the strictest ethical standards, your labels should adhere to the same high standards as the garments themselves.
This means you must select a label printing company that shares your ethical views and ambitions, whose products are free from harmful chemicals, and that does not engage in harmful environmental practices.
The labels must meet the same high-quality standards as the garments, lasting as long as the garment and being suitable for disposal in the same manner, meaning that the customer does not need to remove the label at the garment’s end of life.
Conclusion
Clothing labels play an important role in promoting sustainable fashion and can help your brand to stand out for the right reasons, so take the time you need to design and select the perfect labels for your business. The team at Xpresa Labels will be delighted to support you on your journey to sustainability.
