Feel-good retail: for you and the planet
As consumers we are constantly bombarded with advertising for fast fashion brands. Some of these brands offer products so cheaply it’s unfathomable how they can be made, packed and shipped in a sustainable way for the planet and the employees of those companies.
It can be tempting to give in – I mean, what’s a $10 T-shirt even if it lasts just one season? But it may be sobering to learn that 85% of all textiles go into landfill – that’s 21 billion tonnes a year (yes, billion).
But it’s not all doom and gloom. It is absolutely possible to buy feel-good fashion that takes care of the planet, doesn’t exploit workers and makes you feel good – inside and out!
Making better choices for the planet
Sustainability is the cornerstone of what we do at Natalie Begg. Every touchpoint is carefully considered to ensure we do everything we can to tread gently on this planet. And although using recycled packaging and homemade dyes may seem like tiny drops in the ocean, each
step works towards a product that is environmentally and socially responsible.
We want our clients to love what they wear and to know that buying Natalie Begg garments is a choice that is not adversely affecting the environment. But we know it’s not just about us! We’ve put together some tips to help you choose products that help and not harm the planet.
Go au naturel
No, we’re not talking about nudity as the ultimate sustainable choice (although it may be for some), we’re talking about natural fibres. Look for materials such as wool, cotton and silk. Not only do these fibres look better for longer and are more gentle for your hair and skin, they don’t contain the artificial products and plastics that synthetic fabrics contain. Many of the plastics used to manufacture synthetic fibres are actually from petrochemicals, which uses crude oil as its base – that’s not exactly what you want next to your skin.
At Natalie Begg, we have built our whole ethos around materials that are good for you. Silk is a hypoallergenic fabric that acts as a dust and mite repellent and helps reduce allergies. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase helps skin breathe, helps prevent fine lines and reduces hair breakage. Silk is also an excellent thermal regulator, which means it keeps you cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold.
Focus on quality not quantity
Sounds easy, right? If you’ve ever thought, ‘what did I wear last season?’ you’re not alone. It leaves us feeling as though we have ‘nothing to wear’ even when we have a wardrobe full of options. This is where a well-curated capsule wardrobe can really set you up for success.
Sienna Miller, once known for her whimsical boho style, is now more regularly papped in
polished basics as a foundation for more seasonal pieces. Victoria Beckham is regularly seen out in monochrome styles (you could even say she is the queen of the black capsule wardrobe).
Celebrity stylist Tara Swennan emphasises that a capsule wardrobe does not mean you need to toss out everything you already own, and she even has a checklist of the core pieces that will carry you stylishly through every season. Your capsule wardrobe should be tailored to your unique style and preferences – if you don’t love it, you won’t wear it!
Stylist tip: In our interview with influencer Alexandra E, she recommended choosing one or two on-trend pieces each season to augment your existing wardrobe, which keeps things fresh without going overboard.
Shop local
We hear this a lot and sometimes we can dismiss it as not that important, but a focus on
local providers has multiple benefits. From an environmental perspective, local products are not shipping halfway around the world burning up fossil fuels.
You also get the opportunity to build a relationship with the creatives making those pieces. Natalie Begg offers virtual appointments and tailor-made pieces, ensuring that the piece you take home is perfectly suited to you.
It’s also a feel-good purchase knowing that you are supporting the artists and creatives in your community. No one wants to just be surrounded by big businesses churning out
hundreds of the same looks after the smaller designers fold.
Get Googling
If you don’t know, you can’t make an informed decision. Do you know what you are buying is made of? Where is it coming from? What is the brand’s sustainability commitment?
Natalie Begg has a detailed social responsibility statement because we want our clients to know what we are doing to protect the planet. Actions, such as making garments locally from 100% natural silk to hand-painting fabric to reduce water usage to reusing offcuts to produce other accessories, such as belts and sleep masks. Any brand you are buying from should have a transparent statement outlining their efforts to be more sustainable.
Find out how is your product travelling
If you’ve ever ordered one tiny thing only to have it arrive in a ginormous plastic bag stuffed full of other air-filled plastic bags, it may have left you feeling a little less than impressed. Brands that are thinking sustainably will aim to use recycled or compostable packaging. This should be stated up front in their environmental commitment.
Our standard option for packaging prioritises sustainability, but we still offer custom gift- wrapped options incorporating thoughtful touches such as luxe gift boxes tied with a silk bow.
Do they go above and beyond?
Those who have already discovered the Natalie Begg social responsibility commitment,
would have seen that we offer free repairs of Natalie Begg garments. Not only does that
give you peace of mind that your silk garment is going to last a lifetime, but it truly means that you are buying a forever piece that is not going to end up in landfill.
As part of our continued commitment, Natalie Begg is also partnering with Australian
company Upparel to upcycle textile waste into products that would have previously been
made from fibreglass, polystyrene and other nasties for the environment. So far they have diverted 2,216,394kg from waste, which is pretty amazing.
Time to join the sustainable fashion revolution
It’s important that any clothing you purchase makes you feel good inside and out. Taking a few steps to delve a little deeper into how a brand is walking the talk can make a world of difference.
To learn more about the Natalie Begg social responsibility commitments or to reach out to chat about how we are working to produce beautiful silk garments more sustainably, visit us at nataliebegg.com.