“Embrace circularity in fashion.”
“The forthcoming trend in fashion revolves around circularity.”
If you’re starting to explore sustainable fashion or are already a pro, you’ve probably come across these ideas buzzing around the industry.
But what is circular fashion? And why is everybody talking about it like it’s the next big thing shaping the future? Let’s break it down.
What’s the Current Trend?
Here’s the scoop on today’s fashion scene: it’s all about mass production and consumption, mainly using synthetic fossil fuels to churn clothes and shoes. Clothing lines should manufacture products that can be recycled or reused.
The fashion industry is stuck in this loop of constantly churning out new things because of all the pushy ads, flashy promotions, and the pull of influencers on social media.
The textile industry’s got this whole thing going where they tempt you into buying stuff on impulse with low prices and the promise of boosting your personal style and social status. But here’s the kicker: this approach creates a ton of waste.
People end up chucking out clothes and shoes after hardly using them or when the latest trends come in. And where do they go? Landfills, incinerators, or even being shipped to other countries — causing many environmental and social problems.
Thankfully, the fashion world’s waking up to this mess. With resources dwindling and more people clued into the environmental and social impacts, the industry is shifting toward a circular economy.
The Journey toward Circular Fashion
Getting a circular fashion system going is a team effort that needs everyone involved—designers, manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers.
From figuring out more innovative ways to recycle textiles to introducing digital product passports and developing new materials sourced from nature, transitioning to a circular business model is a significant objective. It will take much creativity and investment to avoid the current growth-focused model.
What are the different circular designs?
The primary goal of eco-friendly fashion revolves around restoration and regeneration. It goes beyond mere garment production; it seeks to benefit businesses, society, and the environment.
This system maintains clothes, textiles, and fibers at their peak value throughout use. They are reintegrated into the economy once they’ve served their purpose, ensuring they never become a waste.
A circular economy for fashion presents an appealing vision of sustainable textile industry practices and a system that operates seamlessly.
a) User-centric designs:
When crafting products, prioritizing the end-user involves creating items that deeply connect with consumers emotionally, ensuring they possess a timeless aesthetic appeal.
Moreover, by integrating user-friendly repair options and ensuring spare parts are readily accessible, consumers are encouraged to prolong the lifespan of products.
In a circular economy in fashion industry, everyone can access the garments they require right away.
Innovative business models offer customers increased flexibility in their wardrobe choices and grant access to clothing that may need to be more economically viable through conventional retail channels.
Garments are meticulously crafted and manufactured to high standards, ensuring durability and versatility. It includes personalized styles and customization options to suit individual preferences.
As someone who wants to embody green practices in their designs, you can explore the idea of manufacturing sustainable garments for runners. You can combine functional design, ethical production practices, and eco-friendly materials into your products.
After that, you can partner with event organizers to advertise your products and raise awareness about sustainable fashion. For example, you can sponsor the participants’ sportswear in a virtual run or marathon. Through this, you can double your participation in lobbying for green fashion industry practices.
b) Use renewable sources:
The energy necessary to power a circular fashion economy is sourced from renewables, reducing reliance on finite resources and enhancing system durability.
Resources remain within the system, and when additional inputs are required, they are derived from renewable sources. This involves utilizing renewable plastic-based feedstock and abstaining from using fossil-fuel-based pesticides or fertilizers to cultivate biologically-based inputs.
Furthermore, a circular fashion economy facilitates the transition to renewables by inherently consuming less energy and fewer resources.
c) Repairable:
Developing products with easily fixable components and offering convenient repair services or guidance enables consumers to take charge of maintaining and fixing their possessions, thereby extending their utility and minimizing premature disposal.
d) Natural production processes:
Renewable resources are responsibly harvested from nature through regenerative and restorative practices aimed at replenishing natural capital, the global reserve of natural resources.
This process involves employing regenerative agricultural techniques for biological-based inputs like cotton and responsibly managing forests for wood-based fibers.
e) Reflects the actual production cost:
In a circular fashion economy, clothing pricing incorporates the complete costs of its production, encompassing adverse environmental and societal impacts. These costs are analyzed and disclosed in company reporting before factoring into product pricing.
f) Raises awareness:
Brands are crucial in educating consumers about the significance of durability, responsible consumerism, and repairability.
Providing instructions on product care, offering repair tutorials or workshops, and ensuring hassle-free access to spare parts all contribute to fostering a more sustainable consumption pattern.
Businesses can also raise awareness about their sustainable fashion business practices through SEO, content marketing, and social media. They can curate content that pushes responsible consumerism. In the process, they improve how their consumers see them while boosting brand visibility.
Different Circular Fashion Business Models
The fashion industry has the potential to reshape how we view clothing, shifting it from a disposable item to something enduring. Creating top-notch garments and leading with inventive business strategies can transform people’s attitudes toward their attire.
This can be achieved through various methods, such as subscription services, clothing rental options, or establishing networks for wardrobe sharing.
1. Clothes rental:
Clothing rental models offer customers access to diverse clothing options while reducing the need for new clothing production.
Short-term rental models present an appealing value proposition, especially considering evolving customer needs such as short-term usage, practical necessities, or rapidly changing fashion preferences.
Emerging short-term and subscription rental models are already making waves in the industry. Examples include specialized offerings from the following:
- MUD Jeans: Provides high-quality denim
- Rent the Runway: Caters to working women with an “unlimited” subscription service
- Vigga: Offers subscriptions for baby clothes
2. Emphasis on durability:
Making durability more appealing strengthens the argument for new business models, exceptionally when garments are crafted with exceptional quality and longevity.
The appeal of rental or resale models grows substantially as customers inherently appreciate high-quality, long-lasting clothing.
However, more information should be needed to improve their ability to make informed choices.
Investing in quality purchases prompts the adoption of new technologies, enabling customization for heightened customer satisfaction.
Additionally, enhanced resale models present an enticing opportunity for garments that are no longer needed but remain usable. Encouraging and facilitating proper clothing care further supports customers who wish to prolong the lifespan of their garments.
Support Sustainable Clothing
The fashion industry is crucial in deciding its direction toward a circular economy. Embracing circularity principles—making durable designs, encouraging reuse and recycling, expanding textile recycling efforts, and trying new business models—can lead to a significant change.
This journey needs everyone on board, with commitment, fresh ideas, and a significant shift in how we think about, make, and buy fashion. By putting sustainability first and promoting mindful shopping, the retail world can shrink its environmental impact and pave the way for a future where fashion and responsible resource use go hand in hand.

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.