Why “Made in China” Isn’t the Problem—And What Really Is
Where Is Our Stuff Really Made? And Why Should We Even Care?
Made in China. Made in France. Made in Taiwan. Ethical. Handmade. Sustainable.
Lately, there’s a growing trend or let’s say a bit of a war around where our clothes are made and what these labels actually mean. And yet, very few people really know, or even care. Isn’t that kind of sad?
But honestly, can we really blame them?
Most people just want to buy something new, cute, and affordable. They’re not wrong for that. Why would they believe what brands say when the industry can basically slap on any label they want “eco,” “conscious,” “green” without ever educating us on what those words really mean?
In this post, I want to talk about sustainability in the fashion industry. But in a simple, honest, and down-to-earth way. Because it doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. Sustainable fashion has a bad rep like it’s supposed to be beige, tasteless, and super expensive. But that’s just not true anymore.
Before we dive in, let me share a little bit about myself and why I even care.
Like many of us (especially young people), I love fashion and following trends. But trends change fast. And to keep up, the easy solution is to just buy more. More cheap stuff. Stuff that’s not made to last, and honestly, we wear it once—or not even once—and forget about it. Trust me, I’m speaking from very personal experience.
But something changed.
I started becoming more curious about what I was really buying. About where it came from. About who made it. And about what happens to it after I throw it away. I realized the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Like… bigger than France, Germany, and the UK combined in terms of emissions. Let that sink in.
More and more people are waking up to this reality. Finally, we’re starting to open our minds (and hearts) to how we can live in harmony with the planet. And I want to be part of that movement ,not perfectly, but honestly. So let’s talk about what’s really going on and how we can do better together.
So… What Is Sustainable Fashion, Really?
Let’s break it down in 3 easy parts:
1. Circular Fashion – Giving Clothes a Second Life
Sustainable fashion isn’t just about what we buy, but also what happens after we’re done wearing it.
Circular fashion is all about creating a system where materials (like cotton fibers) can be reused instead of thrown away. One powerful idea is the Cradle-to-Cradle approach where clothes are made in a way that allows them to return to the cycle and become new pieces again.
By using pure materials (like 100% cotton), it becomes easier to recycle and reduce waste. It’s a direct way to fight back against the millions of garments that end up in landfills and oceans every year.
2. Recycled Materials – Trendy, But With a Catch
A big part of the sustainable fashion conversation is around materials. Brands are using recycled plastic or PET (the material used for plastic bottles) to create clothes, which sounds amazing at first.
But there’s a problem: when those PET bottles are used for fashion, they’re taken out of the food industry’s recycling system. Plus, synthetic fabrics (even recycled ones) still shed microplastics during their lifetime.
That’s why many experts are now pushing for fiber-to-fiber recycling like using old polyester clothes to make new polyester, instead of relying on plastic bottles.
It’s not a perfect system yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.
3. Natural Fibers – The Comeback of Nature
Not all innovation is synthetic. More and more brands are rediscovering the beauty of natural, renewable fibers like organic cotton, linen, and one of my favorites: TENCEL™.
TENCEL™ is made from wood pulp (mostly beech trees) and turns into a super soft, breathable, and biodegradable fabric. It feels luxurious and kind to the planet. The only downside? It’s still a bit pricey.
But honestly? Sustainable fashion only works if we start valuing quality over quantity. We need to shift our mindset: buy less, choose well, and make it last.
The Bigger Picture
According to the report Fashion on Climate, the fashion industry currently creates 2.1 billion tons of CO2 every year. If we don’t change course, that number will rise to 2.7 billion by 2030.
To meet global climate goals, the fashion world needs to cut that in half to about 1.1 billion tons. That means serious change.
The good news? Change is already happening.
Innovative brands, smart consumers, and creative thinkers all over the world are coming together to imagine something better. A fashion industry that’s responsible, beautiful, and honest. It’s not perfect but it’s possible.
And I’m here to learn, grow, and be part of that journey, with you.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s get curious. Let’s open our eyes and hearts to new ways of dressing, creating, and living.
Sustainability doesn’t have to be boring or beige.
It can be bold, fun, and totally you.
Stay tuned for more posts where we’ll explore how to shop smarter, love our clothes longer, and maybe laugh a bit about our fashion addictions (yes, mine too).
Love,
Angela