Climate change has made sustainability a necessity by 2024. In the fashion industry, where pollution is a major cause of concern for the environment, achieving sustainability is a paramount goal. Fortunately, we are not standing still. Sustainable fashion is becoming increasingly popular, making us speak not of a trend, but of a true lifestyle. Are you curious about the latest sustainable fashion trends of 2024? In this article, you will find 15 of them.
In this article:
- The 15 current trends in sustainable fashion in 2024
- Choosing sustainable fashion at MUD Jeans
- Frequently asked questions about sustainable fashion trends
The 15 current trends in the sustainable fashion industry in 2024
1. Circularity
Circular fashion is all about reusing and properly recycling materials to minimise waste. The aim is to circulate materials as long as possible to break the 'take-make-dispose' mentality (buy, use, throw away).
Fun fact: MUD Jeans incorporates as much as 40% recycled denim in every product. We are already working to increase this to 100%.
2. On-demand fashion
On-demand fashion is the opposite of the norm. Instead of mass production, which destroys excess unsold stock, clothes are made only when you place your order. So there is no stock and no waste. The result? Less textile waste.
Just to clarify, the average proportion of unsold textiles in Europe is estimated at around 21%. In fact, between 264,000 and 594,000 tonnes of textiles are destroyed before they are sold.
3. Sustainable materials
Designers are getting more and more creative with sustainable materials. Organic or recycled materials made from cotton or linen are well-known, but did you know that in 2024, there are bags made of pineapple leather or (biodegradable) clothing made of mushrooms? There is an increasing choice of sustainable materials that offer consumers a green option to reduce their environmental footprint (and unlimited bragging rights).
4. Slow fashion
Another sustainable fashion trend is slow fashion. Slow fashion refers to sustainable fashion practices and a conscious approach to producing clothes. Unlike fast fashion, which follows just a trend, garments are often made from eco-friendly or recycled materials that go beyond trends. Slow fashion is characterised by better quality, fair production, and timeless collections.
5. Minimalism
Minimalism is also gaining ground in the fashion world, driven by a growing sustainability awareness. Minimalism stands for 'less is more', creating a wardrobe of quality clothes, ensuring that every item is worn and appreciated rather than left unused and ultimately discarded.
6. Eco-friendly dyes
In 2024, there will be more focus on eco-friendly dyes. Traditional dyes typically contain harmful chemicals that are harmful not only to the environment, but also to your health. Eco-friendly dyes offer a sustainable alternative. These dyes do not contain toxic chemicals and are often biodegradable.
7. Vegan materials
Vegan fashion is very much on the rise nowadays. People are not only thinking about their impact on the environment, but also about animal welfare. Vegan materials like hemp fibres, pineapple leather and organic cotton are environmentally and animal-friendly alternatives to leather and wool.
8. Virtual fitting
While shopping online, you have probably experienced how challenging it can be to choose the right size. Chances are you will order the wrong size and return your purchase. Virtual fitting via AR and AI is a sustainable solution to this. It gives you a realistic online fitting experience, allowing you to see if your desired garment fits. Virtual fitting reduces packaging and returns.
9. E-textiles
It seems to be an innovation of the distant future: e-textiles (electronic textiles). E-textiles integrate electronics directly into fabrics. Think of smart clothing that measures your heart rate and body temperature. Or sportswear that analyses your performance. It is a fascinating mix of technology and fashion that promises exciting possibilities.
10. Ethical supply chains
As sustainability gains traction, more and more environmentally conscious consumers want to know where their clothes come from. This forces fashion brands to be transparent about the supply chain. So, an ethical supply chain, a system in which all parties involved, from raw material suppliers to final producers, follow sustainable and fair labour practices, not only creates trust among consumers. It increases sustainable fashion choices and contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry.
11. Legislation
It is finally here: sustainable fashion legislation is making progress. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles implements the commitments of the European Green Deal to reduce textiles' impact on the environment. By 2030, for example, all textile products in the EU must be sustainable, repairable, and recyclable. These developments are forcing the fashion industry to adopt sustainable practices.
12. Regenerative agriculture
In recent decades, agriculture has had a negative impact on soil, groundwater, and biodiversity in many parts of the world. This needs to change and improve. Regenerative agriculture is another 2024 trend. For the fashion industry, this means improving soil quality and biodiversity and minimising environmental impact. This can be done, for example, by recycling used water with reverse osmosis.
13. Craftsmanship
Another trend set to continue in 2024 is the move towards craftsmanship. Clothing and accessories are handmade, leading to unique items with attention to detail and their own story. Each garment is made with care and precision, often with quality materials that last.
14. Technical innovations
The way clothes are designed and produced is also changing. Technical innovations play an important role in this. Take the 3D printer, making customising garments without excess material possible. Or AI software that analyses trends and optimises designs. These innovations are making the fashion industry more efficient, sustainable and customer-oriented.
15. Second-hand clothes
Finally, second-hand clothes will be here to stay in 2024. Second-hand (online) shops are booming. Preloved items no longer belong to sustainable fashion advocates only; they have become a conscious choice. Buying second-hand is sustainable and affordable, allowing you to create your own style.
Choose sustainable fashion at MUD Jeans
Sustainable fashion trends in 2024 are causing a positive shift in the fashion industry. Although there is still a long way to go to make all fashion fully sustainable, many innovations are being implemented nowadays. From circular fashion to the booming second-hand clothing sector.
MUD Jeans is not standing still, either. By 2026, our goals include achieving 100% circularity and including 100% post-consumer recycled denim products in our collection. Want to know more? Check out all the goals on our sustainability page or read our sustainability report.
