It is widely known that the fashion industry is highly problematic for the environment, with many fast fashion companies using slave labour to create cheap, mass-produced clothing that carries a huge carbon footprint. However, many movements within the fashion industry aim to change this, and buying clothing made from more sustainable materials can make a big difference to our impact on the planet.
Why Aran Irish Wool Sweaters Are the Ultimate Sustainable Fashion Choice for Americans
It is widely known that the fashion industry is extremely problematic for the environment, with many fast fashion companies using slave labour to create cheap, mass-produced clothing that carries a huge carbon footprint. However, many movements within the fashion industry aim to change this, and buying clothing that is made from more sustainable materials can make a big difference to the impact we make on the planet.
At Weavers of Ireland, sustainability matters to us. Our mission is to preserve the essential art forms of spinning and weaving in our native land, bringing together a range of beautiful products from artisan craftspeople who maintain these traditional skills. Our commitment to the heritage of our products is at the core of everything we do, and this includes sustainability and ethical production. Aran Irish wool sweaters, made from sustainable wool that is renewable and biodegradable, are an excellent choice for fashion-loving Americans who want to reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit to look after the environment.
Wool is a Sustainable Choice
Our Aran sweaters are made from 100% wool and take their name from the Aran Islands where they have been knitted for hundreds of years. Much of the wool used in our sweaters still hails from Ireland, and wool is an impressive material to work with. Wool is completely natural and is made of keratin, grown year-round by sheep, llamas, alpacas, goats and other animals. It’s a great choice for clothing because it is comfortable, hardwearing and protects against the elements, and it is also a sustainable choice for the planet since it is natural and renewable, with sheep being shorn each year before re-growing their fleece.
Wool is biodegradable and as an organic material, it is easy to obtain without damaging biodiversity or soil health, especially where farmers are committed to sustainable and regenerative practices. When it is disposed of, wool will naturally decompose in soil over some years and will act as a fertiliser, releasing nutrients and carbon back into the soil. This is a stark contrast with the materials used in fast fashion, such as polyester and acrylic, which are refined from fossil fuels and have a devastating impact on the planet.
Aran Sweaters: Longevity Matters
Here at Weavers of Ireland, we choose Aran Sweaters because their quality stands out and makes them an excellent choice for style and comfort all year round. However, we are committed to doing better for the environment and we know how much difference it makes that Aran sweaters are a durable clothing option that will last for many, many years if cared for correctly.
Wool is a material that doesn’t need washing often and can be hung up between wears to air and refresh the fibres. This will protect the wool and keep it looking great, and it will only need washing on occasion if it is dirty. Folding or hanging your Aran sweater will help to protect it and ensure it keeps its shape, and your sweater will provide you with years of service as a handy layer all year round or a stylish companion piece to your favourite outfits. The Aran sweater is a timeless fashion choice that will never go out of style so you can even pass your classic designs down to the next generation, making them heirloom pieces.
The Impact of Fashion
Cheap, manmade materials that are used to mass produce throwaway fashion items are extremely damaging to the environment, both in terms of their manufacture and the plastics they contain. It is estimated that we have enough clothing on the planet today to clothe the next six generations and the environmental impact of this industry continues to grow.
The manufacturing processes of the materials and the clothes they are used to make are highly damaging to the environment, using a vast amount of water and often relying on very cheap or unpaid labour carried out by vulnerable people and children. As fashion enthusiasts, we have a role to play in challenging these practices and calling for higher standards and choices. Read on to find out how we can all do our bit by making more sustainable choices about the clothing we wear.
Embracing Slow Fashion
The slow fashion movement takes us back to basics, addressing the incredible and damaging growth of the fast fashion industry in the last twenty years and prioritising sustainable, durable fashion choices and practices. It takes the emphasis off the consumer and puts it back onto the producers and suppliers of fashion items, forcing us to consider the impact our decision-making has on the world around us. Simply choosing to embrace the slow fashion movement means you will be contributing to a worldwide movement that aims to challenge the harm done to the world and its people in the name of fashion.
Slow fashion does not mean compromising on style but is all about embracing the timeless classics that are well-made and will last for many years so that you always look your best.
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