Slow fashion is a movement and approach to clothing consumption that encourages mindful and sustainable choices. It emphasizes quality, longevity, ethical production practices, and reduced environmental impact. Here's a guide to adopting slow fashion principles: Slow Fashion guide - Sustainability and Eco Fashion Buy Less, Choose Well: Prioritize quality over quantity. Invest in well-made, timeless pieces that will last longer and withstand trends. Choose versatile items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Consider your personal style and lifestyle when making purchasing decisions. If you like to know more on how to buy less, choose well and make it last, this is a very good read. Research Brands: Support brands that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Research a brand's transparency regarding their supply chain, labor practices, fabric choices and environmental initiatives. Visit our blog Identifying sustainable brands to learn more. Choose Sustainable Fabrics: Opt for natural and sustainable fibers like organic organic cotton, linen, hemp, and wool. Avoid synthetic fabrics that are petroleum-based, such as polyester and nylon. Be mindful of fabrics that says "Vegan" check it is not plastic, Rayon or other plant based fabrics that pollute the environment. Here is a great read for Treehuggers if you are interested in knowing a bit more about environmental impact and fabric choice. Second-Hand and Vintage Shopping: Explore thrift stores (Like our second life partner Thrift for good), consignment shops, and online second-hand marketplaces for unique finds and in the process you will also be giving back to the society and environment. Buying second-hand reduces demand for new production and extends the life of existing clothing. Mindful Consumption: Practice the "30 wears" rule: Before buying an item, ask yourself if you can see yourself wearing it at least 30 times. Avoid impulsive shopping and give yourself time to consider purchases. The experts guide on online shopping DIY and Upcycling: Learn basic sewing skills to repair or alter clothing instead of discarding them. Upcycle old clothing into new pieces or accessories. Support Local Artisans: Explore local markets (like ripe markets, mint market ) and artisans who create handmade and unique clothing. Supporting local businesses can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supply chain. Capsule Wardrobes: Create a capsule wardrobe with a small collection of versatile items that can be mixed and matched. This approach reduces clutter, saves time, and promotes more intentional dressing. Here is how you can build your own capsule wardrobe. Care for Your Clothing: Follow care instructions to extend the life of your garments. If you are not sure, today we have information available on the tip of our fingers, check it out on google. Wash clothes in cold water, avoid over-washing, and air-dry. Educate Yourself: Learn about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry to make informed choices. Stay updated on sustainable fashion trends and initiatives. New Report from UN Climate Change Advocate for Change: Engage with brands and retailers by asking about their sustainability efforts and encouraging positive change. Support policies that promote ethical and sustainable practices in the fashion industry. By embracing slow fashion principles, you can contribute to a more sustainable and ethical clothing industry while cultivating a thoughtful and intentional approach to your personal style and wardrobe.

Sustainability cannot be contained in one part. A sustainable brand must be holistic and the Supply chain is a big aspect of it. What is a supply chain? According to McKinsey, “The supply chain is the interconnected journey that raw materials, components, and goods take before their assembly and sale to customers.” It encompasses everything from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, logistics, and retail. 50% of consumers expect sustainable methods of manufacturing and distribution. The organizations and individuals that the brand associates with should be following sustainable practices. In the fashion industry, there is no standard report or data that a brand is required to share with the public. Therefore, understanding the supply chain strategies in terms of sustainability and circularity requires a close analysis by individual brands or corporate. According to the study by Avery Dennison on supply chain, “Around two out of five shoppers surveyed (43%) report that transparency about a product’s journey is important to them when buying clothing.” The supply chain has a major contribution to a brand’s environmental impact. Hence, the need to understand the supply chain and its policies is really important. Let's look at different parts of the supply chain and how it contributes to sustainability: Design - Designers play a crucial role in promoting sustainability by creating designs that prioritize durability, versatility, and recyclability. They can embrace sustainable design principles such as using modular or multifunctional designs, incorporating upcycled or recycled materials, and considering the entire lifecycle of the product. For example, our one-size summer dresses and Abayas were designed keeping in mind a wide range of uses. Raw materials - Sourcing environmentally friendly materials, such as organic cotton, Tencel, and Linen with a lower ecological footprint. Raw material suppliers can also implement responsible sourcing practices, ensuring that materials are ethically produced, such as through fair trade initiatives, and organically grown. Also, it's not just the production or the material itself that should be considered, but the other aspects like recyclability, longevity, etc. Production - Here is where the designs become actual timeless pieces. The manufacturing process to be sustainable must be set up locally, considering energy-efficient methods and waste reduction. They should be using renewable sources of energy. If the production includes washing and dying, then water conservation and safe/chemical-free dying processes should be used. Ethical working conditions such as workers' safety and fair remuneration are crucial too. Distribution - Distribution methods contribute significantly to the supply chain's impact on the environment. By producing and distributing closer to the point of consumption, the need for long-haul shipping is minimized, leading to lower transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Optimizing transportation routes, consolidating shipments, and adopting greener transportation options such as electric vehicles or rail transport ensures sustainable practices. Implementing efficient inventory management systems to minimize waste and overstocking should be adopted. The distribution also includes shipment of minimalistic packaging that uses recyclable, biodegradable, or made from recycled content. Retail - The final leg of the supply chain is the retailers. They have direct contact with customers and can help raise awareness of sustainable and circular practices. Brands should be conscious of selecting retailers that share similar sustainable practices. Retailers can promote sustainable consumption practices by encouraging customers to extend the lifespan of their garments. This includes offering repair and alteration services, promoting clothing rental and secondhand markets, and providing guidance on garment care and maintenance. By supporting circular fashion models, retailers can help reduce waste and the fashion industry's environmental impact. In many places worldwide, laws are being proposed for understanding the supply chain and adopting more sustainable practices like European Green Deal or the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act in the US. With consumers demanding more transparency and knowledge and governments bringing in laws and regulations, the future of sustainable fashion seems promising.

Many of my clothes were handed down from my older sister. Even today in my closet I find really old clothes. Until a few decades back, reusing and repairing outfits were the norm. Even after years of usage clothes or outfits never used to lose their charm. The quality of clothes made them last for years and years. But past two decades the game has changed drastically. The fashion industry produces 100 billion garments each year and 92 million tons end up in landfills. Consumers buy 80 million new items of clothing per year, which is 400% more than what the consumption was two decades ago. According to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Clothing is massively underutilized by consumers, either it is worn fewer times or remains unused among the loads of other clothing items in our closet. Also, less than 1% of the material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothes. For these and many other issues, circular fashion is the solution. Fashion to be truly sustainable has to be circular. While the first step is always to be aware of what you are buying, the second step would be to reduce waste by making sure the clothing that you own is taken care of for longevity and reused. Once the item is too old or not wearable for some reason, try to repair, redesign or recycle it. With fast fashion, came the use-and-throw attitude. We have forgotten to reuse and repair as many times as it's needed. Our parents and grandparents have done that. Simply saying, that is what circularity is! Circular fashion is an approach to fashion that aims to create a closed-loop system for clothing production and consumption. It seeks to eliminate waste and pollution by promoting the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of clothing, as well as the use of sustainable materials and production processes. Circular fashion brands aim to produce only as needed, provide high-quality items that last longer, promote material care, offer to repair, and provide recycle or upcycle options and thus close the loop for all the items it is producing. The circular approach makes sure that there is no waste and that the product already in the market is reused, recycled, or redesigned. Sustainable brands always try to be circular in their approach. Focusing on the kind of clothing we buy, and using those as much as we can and then recycling, upcycling, resale, or redesigning them, will make sure we all contribute towards being the solution. References: https://theroundup.org/textile-waste-statistics/ https://fashionunited.com/global-fashion-industry-statistics https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy https://www.condenast.com/glossary/c/circular-economy

Knowing Your Fabric Sustainability is at the core of everything we Choose or do. Linen is one of the most sustainable fabrics known to man, yet it represents less than 1% of all textile fibers consumed worldwide. Unlike cotton, linen that’s been well cared for can last for up to three decades. It’s one of the oldest fibers known, dating back to 8000BC . ​ Linen is made from flax plants, a plant that grows without the need for fertilizers or pesticides. 85% of the world’s flax is grown in Europe. The origins of Sustainably U linen fabric are Italy and Ireland, it comes directly to UAE and we source it from local suppliers. ​ 1 hectare of flax can take 3.7 tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere. That means from all the linen grown in Europe, around 250,000 tonnes of CO2 is removed each year! This is the same as driving the average car over 560,000,000 miles ! Or put another way, it saves enough CO2 to drive around the planet nearly 22,600 times. ​ Flax thrives in the temperate climates of Western Europe and requires few fertilizers or pesticides to produce. Flax often comes close to the organic standard without even trying. This compares to cotton, which is one of the most chemically intensive crops on the planet. ​ Linen absorbs moisture without holding bacteria, meaning your clothes won’t get smelly and will require less frequent washing. The less often you wash your clothes, the longer your clothes will last, and the more sustainable your wardrobe is. Your Luxury closet doesn't need to be taxing on the environment. It can co-exist with a little change in your buying habits. Linen Linen According to the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp, “Across its lifecycle, a linen shirt uses 6.4 liters of water” compared to 2,700 liters for a cotton shirt . The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation state that flax uses 13 times fewer pesticides than potatoes, but is only approximately 1% of the world’s apparel fiber consumption. Growing flax and weaving it into linen is the least water and energy-intensive part of the linen clothing life cycle. To make one shirt from cotton requires around 4 times the amount of water than is needed to make one shirt from linen. ​ Linen is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. However, as with any natural material you should be careful about how the fabric might have been treated, particularly the environmental impact of some dyes. Therefore, Sustainably U stays close to natural colors only. ​ Flax helps to diversify ecosystems, offering a welcome break from intensive agriculture. Go past a field of flax and you will notice it is alive with wildlife, helping promote biodiversity and soil regeneration. Tencel is considered one of the most environmentally sustainable fabric in the world. Not only is Tencel great because it is made from natural plant materials, the manufacturing process of Tencel also requires far less energy and water than cotton. Furthermore, Tencel is biodegradable (extra credit points!). ​ Lyocell is sustainable fiber made from wood pulp using an advanced spinning process, and TENCEL™ is simply a brand name for a type of lyocell (think Band-Aid to bandages). There are many types of lyocell in the world, but Tencel tops as one of the most innovative types of lyocell. ​ The creation process of Tencel is unique in that Tencel is created through environmentally sustainable processes from natural raw wood, referred to as “regenerated cellulose”. This is a process by which raw wood is harvested, broken into wood pulp, dissolved in a chemical solvent, and then pushed through an extruder to form the fibers. The result? Fibers that are ultra plush and soft, like little wisps of cloud. ​ Here are some of the most notable traits about Tencel lyocell: Tencel fibers are long laster, wrinkle resistant, and easy to take care of. Incredibly comfortable and silky to the touch, Tencel's softness cannot be beat. Tencel has superior moisture wicking abilities to keep your skin cool and comfortable. Extremely breathable to prevent trapping any sweat during the night. Naturally anti-bacterial to prevent growth of bacteria and banish unwanted breakouts. Created in a closed loop process where 99% of water and solvent is reused and recycled. Tencel Lyocell Tencel Lyocell Let’s take a look at the ways in which Tencel is sustainable, starting at the pulp. The wood and pulp used to create Tencel fabric comes from certified and controlled sources. This means that the wood source will not be over harvested or cause land degradation. The farming of the woods for Tencel requires no irrigation or pesticides. Comparatively, plants like cotton often use an excessive amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that causes soil degradation, which reduces water retention capacity and harms the land. ​ On to the water and solvent. The production process for turning the wood pulp into fiber is done through a closed loop production process, which means that 99% of the water and solvent are reused and recycled again and again to produce new fibers and reduce harmful waste. Unlike cotton and bamboo rayon, which uses various harsh chemicals to break down the pulp, Tencel only uses organic solvents, called amine oxide – which is non-toxic. This organic solvent is recyclable, which means that the oxide can be reused in the manufacturing process again and again. The production also produces no harmful byproducts, since all the water and solvent is reused instead of being released back into the wild. ​ The purpose of employing a closed loop production process is to create an ultra eco-sustainable fabric. This process reduces the amount of water and chemicals used, and also minimize runoff as well. The production of Tencel also produces absolutely no harmful byproducts. To compare, for 1/10 of the water it takes to generate cotton fabrics, we are able to generate 10x more Tencel fabric. Cotton takes a vast amount of water and pesticides to grow and releases a lot of chemicals back into the land and water after production, while Tencel is able to minimize the need for this.

CARE GUIDE L inen clothes need less washing than you’d expect. Hang them up to ventilate between wears. This prolongs the life of your clothes and also it is environment friendly. DO Hand-wash at a low temperature (max. 30°C) Eco-friendly wash detergent Hang-dry only Steam or iron at a regular setting ​ DON’T Expose your linen pieces to high temperatures Use bleach, softeners, or harsh stain removers Tumble-dry Wash too often TENCEL™ is a moisture absorbent and breathable material that is known for being resistant and soft at the same time, making it a perfect material for comfortable everyday pieces in your wardrobe. While TENCEL™ is generally easy to care for, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to enjoy your TENCEL™ garments for as long as possible. ​ DO Hand-wash or dry clean only Hang-dry your TENCEL™ pieces Gently steam or iron at a warm setting ​ DON’T Expose your TENCEL™ pieces to high temperatures Use bleach, softeners, or harsh stain removers Tumble-dry Wash too often

C-Care|A-Amend|R-Revive |E-Endow We like to introduce you to the term lean closet and conscious fashion. This is the most sustainable way to go for fashion. - Shop with intention so that you love what you have - Make sure you buy quality over quantity - Follow the care guidelines so your clothes stay good as new for a long time - Explore the idea of repair instead of replacement - When it's time to make space in your wardrobe give your Sustainably U piece a new life Care The notion that your wardrobe is disposable needs to be revisited and rethought. It starts with buying quality products with minimal interventions to the fabric and then taking care of the products by following guidelines. This will extend the life of your clothes, increase your price per wear, an d reduce unnecessary waste. ​ Care Guide Warranty & Repair At Sustainably U we 100% believe in quality and workmanship, so we offer a 2-year warranty for all our collections. Products that are within the 2-year warranty period are eligible for repairs free of charge with either the proof of purchase or an intact back label with the QR code. Each case will be dealt with on an individual basis and repairs may take up to 3-4 weeks. ​ This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear. If your product needs repair, please email us at ola@sustainablyu.com with photos and a description of the product issue, and the order number. * To ensure you are able to avail these services make sure you do not remove the Sustainably U back label with the QR code. This label helps us to authenticate our brand. Resell, Upcycle or Donate One of the reasons you should give all your garments a second life is because we cannot afford to continuously exploit our natural resources, one day we will run out. Therefore, when it's time to make space in your closet, resale, upcycle, recycle or declutter your clothes to keep them in the loop of utility and out of the landfill. Under our C.A.R.E program, we have partnered with Thrift for Good , a local charity thrift shop that will give your used Sustainably U clothes a second life by selling the item in their store, at the market, or online. It's good for you, good for your closet, and good for the planet. And in return, you will receive a store credit of 15% on any of our collections. If your clothes are in no shape to be resold, Thrift for Good will repair, Upcycle, or recycle them, offering a fully zero waste solution. 100% of their profit goes towards helping children around the world by providing them health, education, and housing through their partnership with Gulf4 Good. To know more about Thrift for Good projects please visit their website . * To ensure you are able to avail of any of these services make sure you do not remove the Sustainably U back label with the QR code. This label helps us to authenticate our brand. It also helps you if you are planning to resell the piece. Policies & Information Delivery Return Policy Privacy Policy Contact Us Size Chart Events Join to get exclusive updates Join Our Mailing List Connect