Sustainable Fashion Trends in 2023
Maybe you care a lot about the environment, but you’d like to look stylish and current too because living a “green” life and a chic one needn’t be mutually exclusive. Or maybe being a fashion maven is your first priority when choosing apparel and accessories for your collection, but you’re curious about how you can do right by Mother Earth while doing so. Or perhaps your sartorial and environmental priorities have shifted over time(for example, maybe you’re a new mother who’s acquired a newly keen interest in practical, durable, well-priced clothing too, so an only-sustainable wardrobe is a goal rather than a must-have now). No matter which categories you fit into best, if you’d like to find out how to look fashion-forward sustainably, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for the lowdown on 2023’s sustainable fashion trends, which we’ve noticed the influence of in everything from designer gear to affordable basics.
First, let’s talk textiles: eco-friendly fabrics are “in” this year for shoppers in all age, shape, and gender categories. Let’s take the summer season’s shopping list as an example: whether you’re in the market for family swimwear, a plus-size swimsuit cover-up, water shoes for men, or even beach towels, you’ll likely be able to find some (if not a whole lot!) of options crafted from sustainable materials. And this isn’t just for summer; this is a four-season trend: You’ll see organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo apparel and accessory options in catalogs, storefront window displays, and on your favorite online shopping hubs.
In 2023, a noticeable focus on circular fashion – a concept that involves designing clothes with their eventual (or immediate) reuse, recycling, or repurposing in mind– is hot too! Think cargo pants with leg sections that zip off to create a pair of shorts; and women's garments that can be worn twelve or more different ways (roughly based on the idea of a tube dress that does double-duty as a skirt and/or top, and that has straps which can be tied or styled in a multitude of different ways). Some brands will repair holes, tears, or other minor imperfections acquired during use if a consumer ships the garment to the manufacturer for repair– often for free!
You can bring the circular fashion concept into your home, wardrobe, and community without buying anything new (talk about a wallet-friendly trend!). Just donate clothes that you no longer have closet space for, or no longer love wearing (sometimes personal style changes and evolves, and there’s nothing wrong with that!) to a local non-profit organization, thrift store, or charity that accepts clothing donations (make sure these pieces are clean and generally in good condition, though; that’s the most respectful and helpful way to make a clothing donation). You’ll be freeing up space in your armoire, bureau, and mud room to bring new apparel and accessories into your life (as the adage goes, “man cannot live by bread alone”!), and you’ll be helping those in need enjoy access to clean, comfy togs and kicks at the same time.
You can also implement the circular fashion concept within your own family (nuclear, extended, or both!), as many of our Lands’ End fan families already do and have for generations. How, you might ask? With hand-me-downs! When one child outgrows a piece, “hand it down” to a younger child growing into that size. You’ll save money and save the planet all at once, and younger kids often cherish that souvenir T-shirt or letterman jacket once worn constantly by a beloved older sibling. As fast-growing kids with petite moms, we’ve received hand-me-downs from our mothers, and we loved wearing them for years!
Sporting hand-me-downs can bring vintage flair into a child’s, teen’s, or even an adult’s wardrobe in a cost-effective way (sometimes boutique-bought vintage threads can be surprisingly spendy!), lessen the need for time-consuming shopping trips, and help bring unique or one-of-a-kind pieces into one’s wardrobe at a time when it can sometimes feel like everyone’s wearing the same thing everywhere you look.
Athletic apparel (provided it’s not too worn-out) can sometimes be handed down, too. We grew up wearing thermal tops that were once our older sister’s beneath our ski overalls and parkas to tool around on the local snowsports resort’s Bunny Hill. Don’t sleep on hand-me-downs! They’re a great resource, and a fun way to bring your family closer and share stories (part of what made me love those thermals so much, aside from their toasty warmth and cozy softness, was that my sister had trained for state Ice Skating championships in them when she was in high school, and her tales of competing in that contest were unforgettable! They never failed to bring a smile to my face).
Another low-tech (and timeless) way to bring circular fashion into your life is to get familiar with darning and other clothing repair techniques. Being able to sew new life into socks with holes or jeans with ripped knees can bring you (and your kids and teens) a feeling of accomplishment; it always feels nice to learn a new skill, and even nicer to master one! Even third- and fourth-graders are old enough to try some fundamental sewing techniques, and knowing how to repair clothes with minor tears or holes will serve children and teens all their lives. And who doesn’t love to help our planet be her healthiest and happiest? Kids and teens will love knowing they’re doing their part to help the planet!