It’s time we rethink what we buy and wear and toss. As we fill our closets with new threads, the earth is getting poisoned by polyester.

Can looking good today jeopardize the planet tomorrow? Guess what? It can. 

Fashion might be all about turning heads, but fast fashion is turning the planet upside down. Think of it as a poorly executed runway walk —quick, cheap and bound to trip us up. You won’t even notice as the glamorized red carpet is swept out from under you, leaving you to stumble and land face-first. 

Behind the $10 T-shirt and $20 dress lies an invisible price tag, stamped with carbon emissions, wasted water and overflowing landfills. That’s according to a 2018 report by the United Nations. The fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions — more than international flights and shipping combined. 

The question is, are we ready to strut our stuff toward a sustainable future, or will we keep sashaying into environmental disaster? Can we keep chasing trends if the real trend the world seems to be diligently following is planetary collapse? 

And while your favourite polyester blazer might scream “office chic,” its backstory isn’t so glamorous.

Fashion from fossil fuel

Polyester, a fabric loved for its affordability and stretch, is made from fossil fuels. According to a 2024 report from the United Nations, producing it generates nearly three times the emissions of cotton. Add in the vibrant dyes — perfect for nailing this season’s colour palette — and you’ve got rivers worldwide flowing in fifty shades of toxic. 

According to environmental news website Earth.org, fast fashion operates on a “ready-to-wear, ready-to-trash” model, with the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes dumped in landfills every second. So while you’re showing off last season’s leopard print, the Earth has been stuck with it for centuries. 

Our impulsive decisions aren’t just harming our planet — they’re rippling out to affect everything that depends on its delicate balance. 

London-based human rights organization War on Want, has reported how behind the curtains of glittering storefronts are sweatshops where workers endure low wages and unsafe conditions. Factories in countries like Bangladesh run on coal and pump out pollution, fueling climate change even as they churn out your bargain finds. 

More than 65 million people in Asia and the Pacific work in the garment industry, many of whom face health risks from exposure to toxic chemicals. It’s a harsh reality: while fast fashion brands sell the dream of affordability, someone else pays the ultimate price, sometimes even with their life.

Even in a world dominated by fleeting trends, there’s always room for a fashion revolution that lasts. 

Making sustainable fashion fashionable

Didn’t you hear? Sustainability is the new black. 

Slow fashion is a sustainable movement that prioritizes quality over quantity, aiming to produce clothing that is not only better for the environment but also for the people involved in its creation. 

It emphasizes mindful consumption, ethical production practices and long-lasting, well-crafted pieces that reduce waste and environmental impact. It is like haute couture for the eco-conscious — a movement that values quality, craftsmanship and sustainability.

Capsule wardrobes — a curated collection of clothing and accessories designed to be versatile, allowing for the creation of numerous outfits through mixing and matching — are making a comeback, proving you don’t need 20 tops in the same shade of black to be trendy. Ethical brands are embracing organic fabrics, fair trade and timeless designs that outlast fleeting trends. 

Celebrities like Alia Bhatt — known for her exemplary role in movies such as “Gangubai Kathiawadi” — are even leading the charge, re-wearing their outfits at major events. 

Alia Bhatt made waves when she re-wore her wedding saree, designed by Sabyasachi, at the 2023 Filmfare Awards. A powerful statement that true style isn’t about constantly buying new. 

Environmentalism can be elegant.

Slow fashion invites us to shop smart and dress with intention, making elegance a statement not just for style but for sustainability. 

As a concerned citizen, I’ve personally taken steps to break away from fast fashion. First, I’ve built a capsule wardrobe — a carefully curated collection of timeless, versatile pieces that mix and match effortlessly. This approach simplifies my choices and ensures I invest in quality over quantity. 

For outfits I rarely need, like traditional wear for Garba — the celebration of the traditional Gujarati folk dance that originated in the villages of Gujarat — I rent instead of buy, which helps me dodge unnecessary purchases. 

Lastly, I donate my old clothes to the unfortunate, extending their use and keeping them out of landfills. These small but meaningful actions have helped me align my style with my values, proving that fashion doesn’t have to cost the Earth.

The fashion industry is stepping off the catwalk and into the lab, crafting materials that blend science and style. Lab-grown leather and biodegradable fabrics made from algae and mushrooms are redefining sustainable chic. Companies like Modern Meadow are leading the way in sustainable fashion by offering leather alternatives from material made from plant-based proteins and upcycled tires, without animal inputs.

Other companies are producing sustainable material from mycelium, the root structure of fungi. This innovative process produces a durable, biodegradable material that serves as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional leather. Imagine a handbag made from fungi — talk about accessorizing with nature! 

Rethinking materials

Similarly, textiles derived from seaweed and algae are emerging as biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to conventional fabrics, gaining popularity for their minimal environmental impact.

In addition to material innovations, artificial intelligence is optimizing clothing production by tailoring garments to exact specifications, reducing waste and enhancing manufacturing efficiency. Fashion brands like Burberry, Ganni and Christian Siriano are also embracing these advancements, collaborating with innovators to incorporate next-generation sustainable materials into their collections. 

Through these partnerships, the fashion industry is integrating recycled textiles, mycelium, seaweed fibers and lab-grown fabrics, helping to reduce its environmental footprint and move toward a more sustainable future. In this high-tech future, even your jeans will have a perfect fit and a cleaner conscience. 

Before you panic about never shopping again, take a deep breath (preferably not near a landfill). Small shifts in how we approach fashion can make a big difference. Thrifting is in — it’s like the treasure hunt of retail. Clothing swaps are the new cocktail parties, and mending your ripped jeans? That’s just eco-luxury. By caring for the clothes we already own and opting for sustainable choices, we can turn consumerism into a conscious catwalk. 

Fashion will always make a statement; it’s up to us to decide what that statement will be. With every purchase, we can choose style and sustainability, proving that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. 

To quote designer Vivienne Westwood, “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” The runway to a greener planet starts with us — so let’s step into the spotlight and make it count. Because saving the Earth? That’s a trend that will never go out of style.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the company Modern Meadow makes sustainable material out of mycelium. While it makes material out of plant-based proteins and upcycled tires it does not use mycelium.

Arya Sharma is in the third year at VIBGYOR High in NIBM Pune, India. Her favourite subjects are mathematics and economics. Outside of academics, Arya has a passion for reading and dancing. In the future, she aspires to build a career in law.