As landfills pile up and global warming worsens, it’s no wonder people are finally beginning to shop more eco-consciously when it comes to their wardrobe. Fast fashion may be cheap, but it comes at a cost. These throwaway pieces are built for trends, not time, and they leave behind more waste than wear.
Sustainable clothes, on the other hand, are created with the environment, quality, and longevity in mind. For brands making sustainable clothes, every decision counts – from how fibres are sourced to how factories run, to how each garment holds up in the real world. Because being truly sustainable isn’t about ticking a box, it’s about building something better – from the inside out.
How to Make Sustainable Clothes
So, what exactly are designers, manufacturers, and clothing distributors taking into consideration when creating and selling eco-friendly fashion? Here are the four factors that we feel are the most important for organisations to get right when it comes to sustainability:
- FabricÂ
- Finish
- Production
- Transparency
What Fabrics are Sustainable?
Let’s start with fabrics. When it comes to determining whether a piece of material is sustainable, we have to look at its entire life, from how it was made to how it will be disposed of. Sustainable fabrics may have been made from natural materials, like organic cotton, or even recycled materials, like plastic bottles.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton fabric is grown naturally, without the need for synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which are known to harm the surrounding environment. And when its job’s done? It breaks down naturally. Organic cotton can biodegrade in just a few months, and in the right conditions, it can even help nourish new growth in compost. It’s a fabric that gives back – before, during, and after wear.
Recycled Polyester
Recycled polyester can be created by melting down old plastic bottles and repurposing them into fabric for endless varieties of clothing. This reduces the amount of plastic waste and the number of bottles piling up in landfills.Â
What is a Sustainable Finish?
Not all colour comes clean. Many synthetic dyes used in garment production carry toxic chemicals that are tough on the planet. Worse still, plenty of factories skip proper wastewater treatment — dumping dye-contaminated water straight into rivers and streams.
The result? Damage that spreads fast, affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities. It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about fabric – it’s about the full process, start to finish.
Sustainable pieces of clothing will often be coloured with natural dyes or low-impact dyes to minimise the impact on the local ecosystem. It’s a smarter way to add colour without leaving a toxic trace.
What is Sustainable Production?
Using organic cotton or recycled bottles is a strong start – but it’s only half the story. If the production process itself is still pumping out waste, cutting corners, or ignoring its footprint, then the impact stacks up fast.
True sustainability looks at the full supply chain. So, how do responsible manufacturers keep things clean? It comes down to smart choices:
- Energy efficiency practices: Attempts to control the amount of energy used during the manufacturing process are very telling of where an organisation actually stands on sustainability. Whether their methods involve renewable energy sources or efficient processes, an awareness of energy usage is key.
- Waste management: Manufacturers should make efforts to optimise their production processes to minimise the amount of waste produced during the creation of their garments. They may even repurpose and recycle fabrics that would otherwise be wasted.Â
- Chemical use: As we mentioned earlier, sustainable manufacturers may avoid the use of certain harmful chemicals and dyes that are known to damage the environment, opting for more eco-friendly alternatives.Â
What is Transparency in Sustainability?
Operating sustainably isn’t just a brag – it’s a responsibility. Brands that claim to be green should have nothing to hide. That means full transparency across the board: from the fabrics they use to how those fabrics are finished, where garments are made, and under what conditions.
Shop Anthem’s Sustainable Garments
Now that you know what goes into making truly sustainable clothes – from the fabric to the footprint – why not choose a brand that does it right? At Anthem, we’re as committed to the environment as you are. Thoughtfully made, ethically sourced, and built to last – our blanks don’t just look good, they do good.
Anthem clothing has been designed with sustainability at the forefront of our minds. Our customisable merchandise exists as a canvas for like-minded organisations to share their stories through print and embroidery. We’re proud to make use of organic cotton fabric and recycled polyester across a broad range of our products, including our blank t-shirts, customisable sweatshirts, sustainable joggers and more.
Take a look at our lineup today and get inspired by the creative opportunities that await your brand with the help of Anthem.
