In the past decade, the clothing industry has been booming based on faster and cheaper fashion. Cotton was at the center of this fashion boom because of its quality and low price. However, cotton prices have doubled in the past year, which is not good news for fashion-fanatics or casual clothing shoppers.
Most clothing companies are planning to increase their prices by the end of this year. Passing the price increase on to the consumer will not be a sustainable solution to sustain their current business model. Is this a temporary mismatch between the supply and demand? On closer inspection, the crisis seems to be related to multiple factors. These include flooding caused by weather change, reduced land space due to increase food crops, and water shortages.
Thoughtless consumerism produces excess waste and environmental pollution. These macro-effects are threatening a day-to-day need – affordable clothing. It’s time for us to think about sustainability unless we are prepared to pay a fortune for underwear and T-shirts in the near future.
3 Comments on "The T-Shirt Crisis"
I am interested in the t-shirts that are made from recycled plastic bottles. Do you have any resources that you can post for us to learn more about this industry (is it an industry yet?). While it might not be considered ‘sustainable’ design it could kill two birds with one stone…
Hi-Patagonia has made their product from recycled plastic soda bottles and Under Armour also makes t-shirt. I believe there are many resources related to recycling material. please see the link below.
http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=2791
NAU is the sustainable clothing bland who does not only recycling material but also sustainable design.
http://www.nau.com/womens/categories/shirts/
eco friendly material Manufacture
http://www.teijinfiber.com/english/environment/index.html
I will post another article about sustainable clothing soon.
thank you!
Thanks Jeenie!