Sustainable fashion has taken center stage. The pandemic has forced the fashion trend towards sustainable fashion. According to Business World Online, the pandemic did not stop the purchasing behavior of people but rather they have become more conscious of what they buy. They have become more practical and only purchase the essentials. The sudden shift to work from home arrangements has forced everyone to stay indoors and wear cozier, more comfortable clothes.
This 2021, the trend will continue according to fashion experts. Comfort, versatility, and function will be the main reasons why people will buy clothes, bags, shoes, and the like. This is according to fashion design and merchandising expert Christine Benet. Athletic wear and leisurewear took center stage. Many have realized that we do not need so many clothes in our closets especially if there is nowhere else for us to go but our home offices, our kitchen, and bedroom.
Will Sustainable Fashion Rule this 2021
We have become more mindful of what we are buying and what we are buying for. We are also now taking into account where we are buying it from. This trend seems to crossover from 2020 to 2021. But will it be sustained until the end of the year?
Here are Key Sustainable Fashion Trends that We Will See Through 2021.
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Big companies moving towards sustainable fashion
The big players in the fashion industry are moving towards sustainability. One of which is Nordstrom. They have announced that by the end of 2021, they will no longer sell fur or skins from exotic animals. This move was made by the department store as part of their new policy because of their partnership with Humane Society US.
In a press release, Teri Bariquit, the chief merchandising officer at Nordstrom said, “As a leading fashion retailer, we’re committed to delivering the best possible service and merchandise for our customers. Delivering on that commitment means continually listening to customer feedback and evolving our product offering to ensure we’re meeting their needs. As part of our ongoing product evolution, we’ve been working with the Humane Society of the United States and recently decided to stop offering products made with genuine fur or exotic animal skin in any of our stores or online. Our private label brands haven’t used these materials for years, so extending this policy to all the brands we carry is a natural next step for our business.” This is really great news for sustainable fashion.
Prada has also announced that they will stop selling fur. They stopped the design and production of fur in February of 2020. This decision applies to all their Italian fashion brands as well including Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, and Prada itself. They have made this move as a result of their collaboration with Fur Free Alliance, which is a coalition of more than 50 animal protection organizations from all over the world. They have worked with The Humane Society and LAV as well.
“The Prada Group is committed to innovation and social responsibility, and our fur-free policy (…) is an extension of that engagement,” head designer Miuccia Prada said in a statement. “Focusing on innovative materials will allow the company to explore new boundaries of creative design while meeting the demand for ethical products.”
What will these companies use as an alternative for style? According to Suresh of StyleKindly with Me, Faux Fur will steal the limelight for this fashion need.
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Recycle our clothes
Another trend that is in favor of sustainable fashion is recycling our clothes, shoes, bags, and other fashion accessories. As a society, because of the lockdown as well, we can spend more time idle at home. Instead of spending 2 hours in traffic to commute to work, we have this spare time to be more creative and even recycle our old clothes. There are clothes in our closets that we haven’t used which we now can either donate to charity or redesign for our practical use.
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Denim no more
FACT: It takes about 5000 gallons of water to create 1 pair. These are not exaggerated numbers but the denim industry has contributed largely to water pollution.
Because of the pandemic, people now love loungewear pants over denim. Because of our work from home situation, we have adapted our styles as well and opted to wear more comfortable but still stylish clothing. In your online meetings, there is no need to show anything below the waist which means more comfortable pants are in order.
Denim is out. Loungewear is in. 2021 will continue with the work from home movement. Organic cotton and linens will be the sustainable fashion option for more comfortable clothing this 2021. They are more comfortable, more breathable, and a lot kinder to the environment.
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Footwear goes vegan
More shoe brands have gone vegan, one of which is Doc Martens. Beyond Skin has also used apple leather products for their shoe collection. Dr. Martens’s boots collection has focused on producing vegan boots. Their recently released Marc Jacob 1460 boot is now out of stock as consumers empty the shelves. The Marc Jacobs 1460 Boot is 100% Polyurethane upper, 100% Cotton lining, 100% PVC sole, and 3cm Heel height. This reimagined vegan leather in a charming twist is currently sold out.
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Bags and accessories
Another 2020 sustainable fashion trend that will be carried this 2021 are bags and other accessories. Both big companies and start-ups have been experimenting with alternative leather materials for shoes, wallets, and bags. Consumers have spoken and are asking for alternative leather products especially for bags. The use of exotic animal skin as material for bags is not a thing anymore.
A lot of companies are experimenting with alternative sources of pleather such as mushroom, pinatex, cork, cactus, algae, fruit peelings, teak leaf, and others. I think more startups and bigger companies will be on the rise this year and bring more vegan leather products into the limelight.
Some bags that are trending in the sustainable fashion industry are GNL Bag Collections which include the Akira Tote that is made of teak leaf fabric exterior and cotton inner lining. The Althea Black tote and Emersyn Burgundy clutch bag are also bestsellers.
According to Andrea Lo of Lifestyle Asia, the days of the single it-bag are over. Everyone is vying over different styles that exuberant specific key trends, bags that are versatile year will endure several seasons and will not look out of place a couple of years from now. In short, consumers are looking for more sustainable and cruelty-free bags.
According to this article, the biggest handbag trends will include the following:
- Tiny bags – It has been a trend since 2019. For true minimalists carrying only the essentials, a tiny bag is big enough. Brands like Jacquemus, Fendi, and Valentino are worth mentioning.
- Top handle bags – these are all style and all substance bags. There’s enough length that you can swing it on your shoulders or carry it on one arm. Miu Miu’s top handle bag features a nostalgic bamboo handle.
- Clutches – These styles will never go outdated. Clutch bags will always be good companions at dinner parties because of their minimalistic look. 2021 is predicted to have more gradual softer clutches like that of Pouch by Bottega and Loewe’s Flamenco clutch.
- Retro Revival – This has been a steady trend since 2018. The Saddle from Dior is now a classic. Gucci and LV also have bestseller retro revival bags.
- Modern equestrian – skinny trousers and blazers look perfect with an equestrian-inspired crossbody bag to create the posh jockey look.
- Spotlight on straps – Interchangeable straps have been in the fashion industry since 2016 and still trending until now.
On a final note, here are some tips to go sustainable this 2021
- Replace leather with vegan leather
- Be mindful of your purchases
- Be thrifty
- Donate or Swap
- Declutter