The world of ‘sustainable fashion’ can be intimidating. So, Team Nete has curated a pocket glossary to help you become a more conscious (and well-versed) consumer.

Was our last blog piece really seven months ago? Time flies when you are an entrepreneur! It’s 3 a.m. I am sitting with a cup of chamomile tea, lost in my thoughts while aimlessly scrolling through my website and watching the soft patter of rain against the windowpanes. Maybe it’s the soothing rhythm of the rain or just the madness of July (or perhaps the Chamomile tea just kicked in), but I start thinking about my Nete journey. Do you know that this year, we completed 10 years of Nete? That’s a decade of me working with some incredible labels and of you choosing to be a conscious consumer when ‘sustainable fashion’ wasn’t even a thing! A big hug to each of you. I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am! The thought of ‘10 years of Nete’ has also got me thinking about the evolution of the language surrounding sustainable fashion. Today, there are so many new terms—net Zero, Fair Trade, carbon footprints, organic, vegan, and more. Yet, despite this proliferation of terminology, I think there’s still a lack of clarity. Don’t you agree? If we buy something eco-friendly, does that mean it’s vegan? Is vegan organic? Isn’t ‘ethical’ the same as ‘sustainable’? 

What is sustainable fashion and why is it so important?

We get you. It is confusing. Sustainable fashion refers to an approach to designing, producing, and consuming clothing, footwear, and accessories that considers environmental, social, and economic impacts. It aims to create a system that works without leaving a negative footprint, from reducing carbon emissions to ensuring fair labor practices and promoting ethical treatment of animals. Yes, ideally, the most sustainable option is to stop shopping altogether, as our clothing choices have a significant impact on the planet. (Did you know that the fashion supply chain is estimated to contribute 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the second most water-intensive industry on earth?) Beyond environmental impacts, fashion also faces serious social issues like modern slavery. These challenges have led some to question whether fashion can ever truly be sustainable. 

So, are we chasing something impossible to achieve? In an era of consumerism, can we just stop shopping altogether?

No. The next best thing to not shopping is shopping consciously and supporting brands that don’t contribute to landfills. You and I are in the driver’s seat when it comes to making changes that lessen our environmental impact. Marketplaces like ours offer a platform for innovative and authentic brands. These ingenious labels work hard to meet our changing demands while keeping in mind the triple bottom line in a sustainability framework: profit, people, and the planet.

I genuinely believe that conscious consumerism starts with education. Unfortunately, the world of sustainable fashion is ever-evolving, and with a barrage of new terms, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up. That’s where we come in. As a fashion marketplace, we aim to help you become conscious consumers fully aware of every item you buy. So, to help you on this journey, we’ve put together a handy ‘sustainable fashion’ glossary (if you want to print it and paste it into your wardrobe as a daily reminder, you can download the pdf here). This is just the beginning. We promise to keep updating this glossary and help you take this journey of conscious shopping to the next level. 

Glossary of sustainable fashion terms:

A

• Artisanal: Handmade, high-quality products made by skilled artisans, often preserving traditional methods.

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 B

• Biodegradable Fabrics: Textiles that can decompose naturally in the environment without harming it.

C

• Circular Fashion: A system where products are designed, produced, and consumed in a way that extends their lifecycle, promotes recycling, and reduces waste. 

• Cruelty-Free: In fashion, it refers to animal welfare and means that the product contains no animal byproducts. For beauty products, it means the finished product wasn’t tested on animals. 

D

• Deadstock Fabric: Surplus fabric from manufacturers and designers that would otherwise go to waste, repurposed into new garments.

E

• Ethical Fashion: Fashion that prioritizes fair labor practices, humane working conditions, and fair wages for workers. 

• Eco-fashion: Clothing and accessories made from sustainable materials and practices.

F

• Fair Trade Fashion: Fashion products that are produced under fair trade standards, ensuring fair wages and conditions for workers.
• Fast Fashion: A term often contrasted with sustainable fashion, describing inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.

G

• Greenwashing: Misleading claims made by brands about the sustainability of their products to appear more eco-friendly than they are.

H

• Handmade: Items crafted by hand rather than mass-produced, often involving traditional skills and techniques.

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I

• Innovative Materials: New and experimental materials developed to be more sustainable, such as lab-grown leather or mushroom leather.

L

• Local Production: Producing fashion items locally to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and support local economies.

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• Low-Impact Dyes: Dyes that require less water, produce less waste, and have a lower environmental impact.

M

• Minimalism: A lifestyle and fashion philosophy that promotes simplicity and the reduction of excess consumption.
• Microplastics: Small plastic particles that can be shed from synthetic textiles and contribute to ocean pollution.

N

• Natural Fibers: Fibers derived from plants or animals, such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen. 

• Non-Toxic Dyes: Dyes that do not contain harmful chemicals, reducing the impact on the environment and human health.

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O

• Organic Textiles: Fabrics made from organically grown fibers without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

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• Offsetting: Compensating for carbon emissions by investing in environmental projects like reforestation or renewable energy.

P

• Pre-Loved Fashion: Second-hand clothing that is repurposed or resold to extend its life cycle. 

• Plant-Based Dyes: Natural dyes made from plants, fruits, and vegetables.

R

• Recycling: The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects, such as turning plastic bottles into polyester fabric. 

• Responsible Sourcing: Ensuring that materials are sourced in a way that respects the environment and the rights of workers.

S

• Slow Fashion: An approach to fashion that emphasizes quality, sustainability, and ethical production practices.

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• Sustainable Textiles: Fabrics produced in a way that has a minimal impact on the environment and uses resources responsibly.

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• Transparency: Openness about the production process, including where materials are sourced and how products are made.

U

• Upcycling: Repurposing old or discarded materials into new, higher-value products.

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• Undyed Fabrics: Textiles that are not dyed, reducing water and chemical use in the production process.

V

• Vintage Fashion: Clothing and accessories from previous eras that are reused and celebrated for their quality and style.
• Vegan Fashion: Fashion that does not use any animal products, such as leather or wool.

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W

• Waste Reduction: Practices aimed at minimizing the waste generated during the production and consumption of fashion.
• Water Footprint: The total volume of fresh water used to produce a product, from raw materials to finished goods.

Z

• Zero Waste Fashion: Designing and producing clothing in a way that generates no waste, often through pattern-making techniques and recycling.

How can we help you make more sustainable choices?

Being a conscious consumer means making purchasing decisions that consider the impact on the environment, society, and economy, as well as prioritising quality over quantity. It involves being aware of how products are made, where they come from, what materials are used, and the ethical standards of the companies producing them. At Nete, we carefully select brands with similar and complementary values, aesthetics, and principles. We ask the right questions before stocking a new collection or onboarding a new designer. Each time you shop with Nete, we carefully vet your order before dispatch. By shopping with us, you’re already taking a significant step toward being a conscious consumer. 

My tea is finished, my eyes are droopy (the rain outside has acted like a lullaby), and I need to wake up early tomorrow. But before I say goodbye, I want to tell you that I truly believe in progress, not perfection, when it comes to sustainable fashion or sustainable living. Take small steps and be the change you want to see. Goodbye for now. I promise you that we’ll be back with our next piece soon. Please share your questions and thoughts about sustainable fashion below. We'll consult with our experts and do our best to help you become a more conscious consumer. Ciao.