The Mestizo vows to align its company and culture within the bounds of sustainability and circular fashion as we aim to do our part and make this world, indeed, a better place.
“Sustainable” and “fashion” might sound like an oxymoron as a concept, considering that styles come and go and, alarmingly, the average person only wears a piece of off-the-rack clothing for about 7 times before throwing it away or disposing of it in some other way.
That’s why the term “sustainable fashion” is hard to take seriously, especially in this day and age where a glitzy ball gown on the red carpet can be easily bought by eager viewers at the touch of a button on their mobile phones, until the next cycle comes along with tomorrow’s other red carpet or runway event.
Thankfully, there is a growing movement to bring sustainability and planet-centered mindedness into the fashion world at present. As an independent, eco-conscious brand that continues to evolve, we at The Mestizo, are proud of taking several steps further to incorporate sustainability and circular fashion into our company’s culture.
The Environmental Cost Of Fast Fashion
Before we delve into all the productive ways our company has geared towards becoming fully eco-fashionable, let’s walk through first with what drawbacks the planet faces when we, as suppliers and consumers, rely entirely on fast fashion.
Fast fashion, while convenient and instantaneous, brings about a slew of problems concerning the environment. Due to its quick turnaround from design to production to display to eventual sale, fast fashion’s rapid cycle means that it uses up more resources over a given span of time to reproduce clothing and other garments in shorter intervals.
Because of this, more wastewater and textile dyes are consumed each year, as fast fashion brands scramble to keep up with quicker lead times. It’s no wonder that the fashion industry, as a whole, has been branded as one of the top global polluters, unfortunately.
Sustainable Fashion & Circular Fashion Save The Day
While the after-effects of fast fashion can be devastating, the movement for sustainable fashion and circular fashion have, thankfully, shifted into motion, leading the way for producing and consuming garments and fabrics that puts the environment into consideration.
For those not familiar with circular fashion, it’s a sub-concept within the framework of “circular economy,” which encourages manufacturers and consumers to constantly reuse and upcycle products and materials for as long as they can, to minimize wastage and carbon emissions.
Circular fashion employs the same principles, wherein clothing and fabrics should be utilized throughout its life cycle, and not just disposed of when particular fashion trends already die. Instead of throwing them in the bin, you can upcycle these fabrics and turn them instead into something handy around the house, like a kitchen rug or a sewn-together tablecloth.
If you’re looking to incorporate sustainable fashion into your own life as well, here are a few more tips you can start practicing as you become a more eco-conscious consumer:
Shop for new clothes with longevity in mind.
When shopping for clothes and other accessories like bags and shoes, always aim for an item that you know will outlast fads and trend alerts. It goes without saying, too, that when selecting your next outfit, quality will always play a bigger role over quantity.
Go for a multi-purpose and for-all-seasons wardrobe.
While it’s normal to want to splurge on the hottest summer crop tops or get more than 2 pairs of winter boots, a good benchmark to follow is investing in clothes that can be used all throughout the seasons. For instance, a mid-length skirt, while ideal for cooler months, can also be worn during the summer weather, too.
Follow washing and drying instructions of your clothes properly.
Following carefully the washing and drying instructions of your clothing helps you stretch out the life cycle of your wardrobe longer. By maintaining your clothes properly, whether it be using cold water instead of hot water, or strictly dry cleaning a coat, you’re able to preserve fabrics better, thereby extending the longevity of your clothing.
A skilled tailor is good to have around.
In the event that you do find a bit of wear and tear in your clothes, don’t rush to the garbage bin just yet. If sewing isn’t your forte, then at least be in contact with a good tailor or repair shop who can stitch back together whatever damage your clothes have so you can keep re-wearing this again and again.
As we grow The Mestizo into further heights this year, we’re also aware that alongside earnings, one of our fundamental goals is also becoming a responsible fashion brand. This is why we have begun incorporating sustainable practices into the sourcing and production of our merchandise.
Although we have already been using plant-based fabrics for quite some time now, we aim to fully use fabrics like piña (silk from pineapple fibers) and jusi (threads from banana leaf fibers) moving forward, for something more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.
Our Luna Lady Barong, for instance, looks perfectly sheen in black, and gives off the impression that it’s made from pure cocoon silk. However, it’s actually made of jusi, which is a more ecological - and ethical (especially for vegans) - fabric for clothing. And unlike fast fashion, the Luna Lady Barong is a versatile piece of outerwear that can be worn for formal and business casual occasions, and absolutely, will never go out of style.
Other than our sourced fabric, we also aim to use only recycled materials for our packaging and mailer supplies. This means that we will veer away from plastic and only use paper-based, recycled or upcycled materials.
We know that we still have a long way to go in becoming a completely sustainable, eco-conscious fashion brand, but with these small yet steady steps we are already taking, we’re optimistic that we’ll get there soon enough. And here’s hoping you, our valued patrons and customers, will walk alongside us in this path to becoming more considerate of our only planet.
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