The phrase “sustainable fashion” jumped out at us from the morning paper recently, so we decided to figure out what this emerging lifestyle trend is all about.

According to the Dear Canada blog, sustainable fashion or “eco-friendly apparel” is a movement that “highlights the benefits of choosing sustainable garments, which include reducing waste and lowering carbon emissions.”

“The concept of Sustainable Fashion is gaining traction across the globe, and Canada is at the forefront of this movement. Initiatives by Canadian fashion brands to adopt more eco-friendly practices represent a significant shift towards environmental responsibility in the fashion industry. This transformation is driven by both increased consumer awareness of environmental issues and the innovative approaches of Canadian designers and manufacturers,” the blog explains.

“Not only does it help in reducing the carbon footprint, but it also promotes fair labour practices and reduces waste. Canadian brands are increasingly experimenting with organic materials, employing eco-friendly production techniques, and ensuring fair wages for workers, setting a commendable example in the industry,” the blog continues.

The organic materials for making clothes include “natural fibres like bamboo, hemp and organic cotton,” the use of which “significantly cuts down on the chemicals used” in creating other types of clothing material, the article states.

The “eco-friendly production techniques” include, the article continues, “technologies that reduce water use and improve recycling processes.”

Elle magazine (Indian edition) refers to sustainable fashion as “a call to rethink how clothing is made, worn, and ultimately valued.”

It is not, the article insists, about “wearing sackcloth to save the planet.” Instead, the article continues, “it’s about designing and producing clothing that respects both people and the environment. It means slowing down the endless churn of fast fashion and prioritising longevity, ethical labour, and environmental responsibility. From fabric choice to fair wages, it’s about reimagining fashion as a circular system rather than a disposable one. It’s slow fashion, circular fashion, conscious fashion — different words pointing to the same idea: garments that last, are ethically made, and tread lightly on the earth.”

Italy’s Notizie.it calls sustainable fashion “the future of well-being and style.”

“In the last few years, sustainable fashion has gained significant momentum, becoming not just a trend, but a real cultural movement. (Sustainable brands) are pioneers in the use of recycled materials and ethical practices, demonstrating that it is possible to combine style and environmental responsibility,” the article tells us.

“To wear sustainable products; it’s not only an eco-friendly choice, but also a personal wellness choice. Natural, chemical-free fabrics can improve skin health, while purchasing quality garments reduces the need to frequently update your wardrobe, contributing to a more minimalist and mindful lifestyle,” the article adds.

“A future is foreseen where fashion and well-being are increasingly intertwined. With the rise of social awareness and the adoption of sustainable practices, the fashion industry is set to transform radically. Industry experts encourage investing in clothes that reflect personal values ​​and supporting brands that respect our planet,” the article concludes.

So now we know a little more about sustainable fashion!

When we turn our minds from fashion to retirement, there is a different kind of sustainability to think about – will we have sufficient income after leaving the workforce to keep up with our personal cost of living?

If you have a workplace pension program of any kind, be sure to join it and contribute to the max. If you don’t, you may want to take a hard look at the Saskatchewan Pension Plan.

The SPP is open to any Canadian with registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) room. You can make annual contributions to SPP up to your RRSP limit. You can also transfer in any amount from existing RRSPs you may have to consolidate them in SPP.

Once you put money into your SPP retirement nest egg, our investment team takes over and does the rest – investing your hard-saved loonies and toonies in our low-cost, professionally managed and diversified fund. Once work is over, your SPP income choices include receiving a monthly annuity payment for life or the more flexible Variable Benefit option.

Check out SPP today!

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