Can Sustainable Fashion Be On A Budget?

It’s not unknown that fashion is the world’s second largest polluter, following the oil industry. The fact that a high style quotient manages to score a really high carbon footprint has led many, including industry leaders as well as consumers, to opt for more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. But does the sustainable option also have to be at a higher cost? Let’s find out!

So why are sustainable clothing alternatives expensive?

The answer is simple. It’s because eco-friendly raw materials need more care or processing. For example, while commercial cotton is cheaper to grow and gives larger yields, organic cotton gives smaller yields but is much better for the environment as it doesn’t emit harmful toxins into the ecosystem and requires less water to grow.

Does that mean there are no affordable alternatives?

No, given that we live in a country with a rich heritage that houses innumerable fabric and clothing crafts, there are many affordable yet sustainable brands available to us. Here are some fashion favourites on our radar:

No Nasties

Image Source: Instagram/nonasties

This Goa-based fashion brand uses only certified organic cotton for all its products, and has a variety of fashion-forward silhouettes to offer.

Price Range: INR 1200-7000

Taavi

Image Source: Instagram/taavifrommyntra

Taavi is Myntra’s in-house sustainable label that focuses on Indian crafts like kalamkari, block printing, shibori and natural dyes. While their fabrics are traditional, their silhouettes are more suited for everyday wear.

Price Range: INR 400-5000

Rengé

Image Source: Instagram/renge_india

Rengé makes its collections using excess fabrics that have been discarded. They then re-do the fabrics with embroideries, giving them a complete makeover. Their silhouettes are a mix of fashion-forward as well as classic.

Price Range: 1450-9500

Maati

Image Source: Instagram/maati_nehakabra

Maati by Neha Kabra is an environment-friendly PETA certified brand. They use partly upcycled fabrics and natural dyes for all their garments and have a great mix of easy silhouettes.

Price Range: 1400-5500

Pomogrenade

Image Source: Instagram/pomogrenade.shop

This brand makes super comfy and colourful garments with a zero or low waste policy in a fair trade manufacturing unit. Their fabrics are also eco-friendly since they are made using natural dyes.

Price Range: 900-4000

Second-hand options:

Besides the above-mentioned brands, another affordable way to be more sustainable is to pick pieces that are second-hand, either vintage or thrifted. This way you’re saving a lot of clothes from ending up at landfills as well as not burning a hole in your pocket.

Buy Less:

This is a simple one. Simply buy less clothes. Make sure you only buy stuff you absolutely need. It costs nothing to do this and can reduce your carbon footprint by a lot.

Are the expensive options worth it?

Like every product or industry, sustainable fashion too has a group of high-end as well as affordable options. However, in the case of sustainability, products might be more cost inductive due to rarity of materials, handcrafting or other processes. This is why it would be unfair to say these products aren’t worth the money you pay. After all, with a higher price also comes better quality, which means your product will last you longer than, say, a fast fashion product which might diminish quickly and be less durable.