The Fashion Dictionary
6 key terms you should know in Fashion & Sustainability
Click on any of these words below from the fashion dictionary to learn about them.
Noun | \ ˈak-shən \
- The bringing about of an alteration, in legislation, policy or practices, as a result of campaigning by changemakers, environment and human rights activists.
- The initiation of a legal proceeding, brought on by agitation and campaigning, demanding answers and enabling change.
Collective action by consumers is a prerequisite for radical change in the fashion industry.
Also read:
The International Accord, Levi’s, Remake, and citizen action
Action you can take to help artisans reeling from the pandemic
Noun | \ ˈär-tə-zən \
- A person or a community that produces something using skill and traditional methods, passed on through generations, often by hand and in limited quantities.
- A worker who practices a trade or a handicraft.
Artisans can be supported by choosing to buy local or buying products directly from craftsmen.
Also read:
Noun | \ ə-ˈwer-nəs\
- The quality or state of being aware of where the clothes you own come from, and how the fashion industry affects the planet and people.
- Knowledge and understanding of the item you are buying, the people making it and their working conditions, the brand you are buying from, and the policies that affect the production of the garment.
Consumer awareness ensures the buyer or consumer is in possession of the full facts regarding a product, goods, service, and consumer rights, enabling them to make informed decisions.
Also read:
Did you know, there’s plastic in your wardrobe?
Here’s what you need to know about fashion sustainability and India
Verb | \bluːwɒʃɪŋ\
- When brands/companies employ marketing tactics to appear more socially responsible than they truly are, in their functioning.
- Brands often announce employee support funds and policies that claim to help the employees in the long-term, without looking into fair wages and their current well-being.
Find meanings to other terms similar to bluewashing in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Market your business without resorting to bluewashing tactics
Noun | \ ˈbiz-nəs \
A commercial activity engaged in as a means of livelihood or with the sole purpose of gaining profit.
A sustainable business looks beyond just profits, providing fair wages and working conditions to the people involved, working in harmony with the planet and being transparent about the business with the customers.
Also read:
Noun |\ ˈkak-təs ˈle-t͟hər\
A leather made from the Nopal cactus, or the prickly pear, which is harvested by cutting off only the cactus leaves, so the entire plant isn’t harmed and can continue to grow.
Desserto, a Mexico-based brand, is so far the only manufacturer of cactus leather. The performance of the fabric is comparable to conventional leather, and it is said to be durable, waterproof and breathable.
Also read:
All you need to know about Cactus leather
5 more plant-based leather alternatives
Noun | \sər-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē\
- A principle driven by design that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, reuse products and materials, and regenerate.
- A system that ensures products are compostable or can be placed back into the cycle that they were bought from, to extend their lifecycle, or offer a better end-of-life solution. It ensures nothing goes to waste and everything used once, is utilised again and again.
Also read;
Kind, Mindful Donations: An example of circularity Celebrities embracing a circular lifestyle
Noun | \ˈkȯrk ˈle-t͟hər\
Fabric obtained from the cork oak (Quercus suber), which serves functions similar to animal leather.
The production of cork leather is 100% free of chemicals, making it a popular choice for accessories, furniture, yoga mats, bags and shoes.
Also read:
Noun | / ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət ˈle-t͟hər /
A leathery fabric, made from the organic and sustainable bacterial cellulose of coconut water, grown on agrarian waste (banana stem, sisal and hemp fibres).
Malai Biomaterials, a Kerala-based startup, is producing this PETA-certified cruelty-free vegan leather, which is strong, durable, water resistant, flexible, breathable, 100% biodegradable and also supports the local economy.
Also read:
All you need to know about coconut leather
5 more plant based leather alternatives
Adjective| \ˈkäm-ˌpō-stə-bəl\
A product or a material that has the capability to naturally decay into land and become a fertilizer or manure for plants.
Compostable fabrics make for a better, planet-friendly alternative to synthetic fabrics. These natural fabrics can decompose into the land, and reduce the trash going to landfills.
Also read:
How to compost, compostable fabrics
Polyester and the plastics in our wardrobe are non-compostable
Phrase | \ kän(t)-shəs ˈlɪvɪŋ\
Conscious living is being aware and mindful of our surroundings, and making choices that do not cost the planet, or hurt the people involved.
When it comes to our clothing, conscious living is a mindful way of dressing as well as of producing garments and accessories, right from considering what raw materials are used and where they come from, to how the clothes or accessories are crafted, packaged, sold and, in the case of the wearer, consumed, looked after and, eventually, disposed of.
Also read:
Adjective | \ ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē-ˈfrē\
A product or a brand that does not harm or kill animals at any point in its production cycle.
A cosmetic product that hasn’t been tested on animals.
According to PETA, cruelty-free means that a company or brand has taken the position that it won’t allow tests on animals, including in its supply chain, for any reason, whatsoever. The ‘cruelty-free’ label is being widely used in the fashion and cosmetic industries. While it has clear implications for cosmetics, the label falls short when it comes to fashion.
Also read:
Noun | \ di-ˈspō-zə-bəl \
Designed to be used once or only a limited number of times and then thrown away.
The fast fashion model is rapidly producing high volumes of clothing at affordable prices, giving rise to a use-and-throw culture. This disposable fashion is not just harmful for the planet but has also been responsible for several human rights violations towards people in their production and manufacturing processes.
Also read:
Phrase | /e-kō- ˈgilt/
The remorse we feel every time an action, such as buying or discarding something, is potentially harmful to the environment.
Similar to buyer’s remorse, which is the regret we feel after purchasing an item, eco guilt creeps in when we buy something that’s not planet- or people-friendly, or we dispose of something without considering other alternatives.
Also read:
Is eco guilt pushing you to be better?
Mindful donations are better for your mental health too
Are women worse affected by eco guilt?
Sustainable fashion hacks to follow, so you won’t have to feel guilty
Noun | \ē-kōˈnil\
An alternative to Nylon fibre, made of ocean waste comprising Nylon 6 (semicrystalline polyamide), such as fishing nets. A recycled fibre that is also infinitely recyclable.
Also read:
ECONYL: A miracle fibre or not?
Phrase | \ ˈɛθɪkəl fa-shən \
- Ethical fashion is driven by practices that are in line with standard conventions of conduct in society and are morally driven. The focus is largely on social impact, and the principles a brand holds dear.
- Ethical fashion is to benefit people all along the supply chain, and not just those at the top. Environmental benefits may accrue from good practices that also take into account the planet.
Also read:
Why fashion sustainability is an important conversation for india
Eco-guilt: Is it pushing you to be better
Noun | \ˈferˈtrād\
An organisation helping disadvantaged farmers and workers by promoting fair wages and working conditions.
By promoting fair wages and healthier working conditions, Fairtrade enables farmers and workers to combat poverty and take better control of their lives. So far, over 1.7 million farmers and workers, and 1,822 producer organisations, across 72 countries, have benefitted from Fairtrade affiliation and certifications.
Also read:
Fairtrade and other ethical certifications you should know about
Indian workers make up 50% workforce of the fashion industry
Noun | \ ˈfa-shən \
Fashion is really everything pertaining to how we look–from our clothes and shoes, to other accessories, and even our hair and makeup. It is a form of self-expression, and is far too often driven by trends.
The fashion industry is an umbrella term for everything from raw materials, fibers or fabrics in the production stage, the manufacturing sector, retail, brands to even what happens in the post consumer stage. Currently valued at 3 trillion dollars, it is one of the biggest industries in the world.
Also read:
Why fashion sustainability is an important conversation for India
Should we be celebrating Zaras entry into resale
Helping artisans cope with the pandemic
There is plastic in your wardrobe
The International Accord, Remake, Levis and The Power of engaged citizenship
Phrase | /ˈfast ˈfa-shən/
- A design, manufacturing and marketing method focused on rapidly producing high volumes of clothing.
- A fashion business model that prioritises speed of production over quality, fair wages and labour rights.
The fast fashion model is based on constantly changing trends and low prices, driving higher sales and faster disposability of clothes.
Find the meaning of the opposite of fast fashion in the fashion dictionary also.
Also read:
How fast fashion manufacturing takes place
Fast fashion brands and worker health and safety
How fast fashion brands portray themselves to be eco-friendly when they’re not
Phrase | \ ˈgrēn ‘fa-shən \
- Green fashion is ensuring what we wear and even the processes we follow to maintain our clothes and accessories are all good for the environment and animals. There is a heavy focus on materials, including natural fabrics, recycled fibres and certified materials, and processes.
- Similar to eco-friendly fashion, green fashion aims to lower carbon footprint, and decrease the social and environmental impact of apparel production and consumption. However, it may or may not safeguard the rights of the people who make our clothes.
Also read:
Spotlight: How sustainable is hemp fibre
Make your laundry more sustainable for an eco-friendly wardrobe
Verb | \ ˈgrēn-ˌwȯ-shiŋ \
- The act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environment-friendly or less environmentally-damaging than it really is.
- A marketing ploy used by brands, where they play upon one environment-friendly practice they may follow, even if partially, to cover up the many damaging practices they do follow.
Brands often market a single collection as ‘sustainable’ or ‘handcrafted’, neither of which necessarily implies sustainability, especially when the rest of their collections are hurting both people and planet.
Also read:
Should we be celebrating Zara’s entry into resale?
Noun | \ˈhemp \
- A fine, lustrous, strong-bast fibre obtained from the hemp plant, or Cannabis Sativa, a low-impact crop with a variety of uses, from food to fashion.
- Hemp is a versatile fabric, with a multitude of qualities and uses. However, it isn’t widely available, due to limited cultivation of the plant.
Also read:
Noun| \ ˈhand ˈlüm\
- Any of the various kinds of manually-operated looms or weaving machines used to make textiles.
- Colloquially, a fabric that has been woven on a handloom.
Handlooms are an inherent part of various local, indigenous traditions. They typically use locally-grown fibres to create luxury, quality fabrics and even tapestry, and usually work in harmony with the local ecology.
Also read:
Investing in handloom fabrics can help with the climate change India’s famous handloom fabric.
Adjective| \ˈhand-ˈwō-vən\
- A product produced on a hand-operated loom or handloom.
- Woven by hand.
Championing handloom fabrics, made from the finest of fibres, are a great way to support local weavers.
Also read:
Investing in handloom fabrics can help with the climate change India’s famous handloom fabric.
Adjective| \ ˈhōm-ˈgrōn\
- Grown or produced at home in a local area.
- Belonging to a particular area.
Homegrown fashion is taking over the sustainable fashion industry. By empowering local communitiies and choosing small-batch production, they are embracing slow fashion.
Also read:
Our directory of sustainable, homegrown brands Here’s why we should buy homegrown fashion
Adjective \ in-ˈdi-jə-nəs \
- Living or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment.
- Of or relating to the native inhabitants of a place.
Indigenous crafts, created by the communities or people known to be the earliest inhabitants of a place, have developed over centuries, in harmony with the local ecosystems, and are inherently better for the environment while also providing economic security to the people who make them.
Find meanings to other terms similar to indigenous in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Crafts of India: Kanjivaram Silks
Traditional Cultural Expressions: The backbone of Indigenous communities
Noun | \ jēnz\
Pants made from denim, a durable twilled cotton cloth, known for its sturdiness.
Find meanings to other textile terms in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
5 ways to salvage your holi clothes
Make your laundry more sustainable for an eco friendly wardrobe
The International Accord, Remake, Levis and the power of engaged citizenship
Noun | \ kaːɲdʑivaɾam\
Also known as Kanjivaram, Kanjeevarum, Kanchipuram. One of the most prized hand-woven silks in the world, known for their saris. Kanjeevaram saris have a quality and feel like no other, with their tradition going back about 400 years. An original Kanjivaram can weigh up to two kilos, due to the pure gold and silver zari weave.
Find meanings to other textile terms in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Noun| \ˈkä-dē\
A hand-spun and handwoven fabric native to India.
Khadi’s rich history is rooted in India’s independance. Created entirely with hand, using locally-grown cotton, Khadi is a very sustainable fabric.
Also read:
Noun | \ ˈlȯn-drē \
- Clothes that have been or are to be washed.
- The act of washing clothes and linen.
- A commercial establishment that provides cleaning services for clothes.
According to WRAP UK, laundry accounts for one quarter of the carbon footprint of the clothing sector. Better laundry practices can go a long way in ensuring sustainability in our wardrobes.
Also read:
Make your laundry more sustainable for an eco-friendly wardrobe
Washing polyester garments releases microplastics into the environment
Phrase | \ ‘mä-dərn slā-v(ə-)rē \
- The exploitation for commercial gain in a capitalist system.
- Employing people in a profitable business without the promise of fair wages or safe working conditions.
Modern slavery is a common concept in the garment industry, where garment workers are employed in subpar working conditions, which are often unsafe, unsanitary and violate their basic human rights, for a basic minimum wage, often less than what is required to meet the cost of living. Wage theft and gender-based violence are common occurrences.
Also read:
The International Accord seeks to delegitimise modern slavery
India is one of the largest garment manufacturers in the world
Sustainable businesses pay fair wages and create healthy work environments for garment workers
Phrase | \ ‘mä-dərn slā-v(ə-)rē \
A leather-like fabric made from mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus, considered one of the best plant-based alternatives to animal leather.
Mushroom leather is totally biodegradable and compostable. The process of manufacturing this leather is a closed-loop process, making it cheaper and more environment-friendly.
Also read:
Noun | \ ˈnī-ˌlän \
- A synthetic fibre, made from petrochemicals, used in clothing.
- Developed in the 1930s, nylon was the first ever fully synthetic fibre to be introduced into our clothing. The target market was women’s silk hosiery, promoting nylon stockings as far stronger and more affordable than silk.
Find meanings to other terms similar to nylon in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Hemp promises a sustainable alternative to nylon
Adjective \ ȯr-ˈga-nik \
- Related to or derived from a living organism, without human interference in the process.
- Developing or growing in a natural manner, without any artificial impetus.
- Involving the use of agricultural products produced solely from naturally-occuring varieties of plants (as opposed to genetically-modified varieties), solely with the help of plant- or animal-based feed and/or fertilizer, without the use of chemically-formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics or pesticides.
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials where the production replenishes and maintains the soil fertility, without the use of genetically-modified seeds, pesticides or fertilizers. Ideally, the crop is also rain-fed. GOTS certifies organic cotton as well as products made from organic cotton, so you can be sure of what you’re buying.
Find meanings to other terms similar to organic in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Clothes made from GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton
Noun| \ ˌō-vər-kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən\
- A situation where consumers/customers are consuming unreasonably excessive quantities of something.
The fast fashion business model is designed to promote overconsumption, through fast-changing trends, unbelievable discount sales, marketing gimmicks and brands tapping into FOMO. Overconsumption leads us to treat our clothes as disposable, and is a leading cause of waste in landfills.
Also read:
Noun | \ paɪnəpəl ˈle-t͟hər\
The pineapple leather patented by Ananas Anam. A natural, non-woven material made from waste pineapple leaves, it’s a circular, bio-based option to animal leather with many of the same qualities.
Pineapple leather is versatile with its texture and colours, and is almost 30% cheaper than traditional leather. As of today, it’s being used by more than 500 manufacturers for accessories, handbags, shoes, outerwear, home furnishings and even automotive upholstery.
Also read:
Noun | /ˈpin-a-ˈteks\
- A natural, non-woven material made from waste pineapple leaves.
- A circular, bio-based option to animal leather with many of the same qualities.
Pineapple leather is currently being produced by only one company, Ananas Anam, trademarked with the name Piñatex.
Also read:
Noun | \ ˈplant-ˈbāst ˈle-t͟hər\
A leather made entirely from plant products, especially agricultural waste, and not animal skin, unlike traditional leather.
The most popular plant-based leathers include those made from mushrooms, pineapples, banana fibre, apple peels, coconut waste, cork and cactus.
Also read:
Noun | \ˈpä-lə-sē\
A definite course or method of action that takes into account specific conditions, and guides and determines present and future decisions.
Policies are intended to drive a change for the better, in the fashion industry. Especially, setting rules and regulations that protect the workers from workplace health and safety hazards as well as human rights’ violations. And, saving the planet from any immediate or long-lasting threats.
Also read:
The power of advocacy, policy making and engaged citizenship
Why is there a need for new policies governing fashion in India?
Noun | \ ˈpä-lē-ˌe-stər \
- A polyamide, polyester is a fabric made from petrochemicals.
- A popular high-performance fabric used in active wear, and as a cheap substitute for more exquisite natural fabrics like silk.
Made from non-renewable fossil fuels, such as petroleum, polyester gained popularity in the 1970s, in the form of cheap suits, which were popular at the time. Majorly used in sports and leisure wear, high-performance fleeces, swimsuits and athletic clothing, because of its sweat-wicking and stretch properties, polyester permeates most of the garment industry today.
Find meanings to other terms similar to polyester in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Noun | \kwɑləti\
- The degree to which a garment or accessory meets the customer’s expectations.
- Pertaining to the production value, finish and durability of a garment or accessory.
Choosing quality clothing ensures your clothes last longer, have a more viable end-of-life solution, you need to buy less, making not just the particular item sustainable, but adding to the overall sustainability of your wardrobe.
Also read:
Verb| \ rē-ˈsī-kəl\
- Reuse or make products available for reuse, through processes of biochemical degradation or modification.
- To make ready for reuse
Also read:
Thrifting, preloved and sustainability in the secondhand fashion market
There’s plastic in your wardrobe!
Verb | \ ri-ˈper\
- Restoring something to to its original condition, or enough to make it usable.
- The act of fixing something with an intention to retain its quality or even give it a new form that may be better in quality.
In fashion, repair or mending is a crucial step in extending the life of your garment, and adopting circularity. Repairing can be as small as fixing a button and resewing a hem, or can involve more elaborate techniques, including embroidery, patchwork and even dyeing.
Also read:
Repairing and other easy ways to care for your clothes
Noun/ ˈrē-ˌtāl ˈther-ə-pē
- The act of going shopping and buying things in order to make yourself feel more cheerful.
Trendy, as retail therapy may sound, shopping as a reward or consolation is terrible for the planet and for our mental health. Not to mention, the hole it burns in your pocket.
Also read:
Retail therapy: Why it’s a terrible idea! – Pretty as you please
Noun | \ seɪl \
- The act of exchanging something with money.
- An event when goods are sold at a lower price than their marked selling price.
Fashion sales are a massive contributor to the unwanted waste generated during the festive season. These sales tap into the consumer psyche of FOMO, and the urge to snag a bargain, pushing us to make unwanted purchases, many of which eventually end up in landfill.
Also read:
Adjective | \ ˈse-kən(d)-ˈhand \
- Acquired after being used by another person.
- Not new.
- Used clothes offered for sale or swap.
Opting for secondhand clothing and accessories is a great way to save planetary resources, as no fresh resources are used in the creation of something new. It also prolongs an item’s lifecycle.
Also read:
Thrifting, preloved and sustainability in the secondhand fashion market
The anatomy of a sustainable wardrobe
How to organise your own swap party
Phrase | \ slo ‘fa-shən\
- Slow fashion is an ideology and practice that challenges the idea of fashion as cheap and disposable, as propagated by the fashion industry.
- Slow fashion is a deliberate way of consuming fashion that focuses on wearing what you have, repairing, buying only what you absolutely need and, even then, choosing handmade over machine-made.
Also read:
Thrifting, preloved and sustainability in the second hand fashion market
The International Accord Remake, Levis and The Power of engaged citizenship
Noun | \ˈspan-ˌdeks\
- A collective term for various elastic textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane.
- It has all the strength of polyester but acts like rubber and can stretch up to five times its length.
Over the last few decades, spandex has made its way into a variety of clothing, to lend it some stretch. Particularly popular in active wear and jeggings.
Find meanings to other terms similar to spandex in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
Phrase | \ sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl di-ˈzīn \
- Product design aimed at building the future, not just a product.
- Viewing design as a process that empowers designers to better evaluate and anticipate the environmental, economical and social impacts as well as cost of production.
Sustainability is as much about process as it is about product, and begins with the design of an item. When a product is envisioned in a sustainable fashion, it lasts longer and has a lower overall impact on the planet, as well as on the people who make our clothes.
Also read;
Why fashion sustainability is an important conversation for India
Verb | \ ˈthriftiŋ \
- Buying or selling secondhand articles, especially clothes.
- Secondhand shopping.
Thrifting does not require clothes to be vintage, nor does it require the clothes be in a particular store or sold by a particular vendor. It simply requires that the clothes you are purchasing have been previously owned by another.
Also read:
Thrifting, preloved and sustainability in the secondhand fashion market
noun | \ tran(t)s-ˈper-ən(t)-sē\
- The quality or state of being transparent.
- A system of operating where nothing is hidden.
- The practice of openly sharing information about how, where, and by whom a product was made.
Transparency is a cornerstone of sustainability. Being transparent means publishing all information about every point involved in the production process, from start to finish, from the fields to the store shelves.
Find meanings to other terms similar to transparency in the fashion dictionary.
Also read:
verb | \ ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl
- To recycle in a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item.
- To create an object of greater value from a discarded object of lesser value.
Unlike recycling, upcycling does not require additional natural or chemical resources to be used in the process. Though it does, sometimes, need exceptional skill and labour.
Also read:
Noun | \ ˈvin-tij \
- Of old, recognized and enduring interest, importance or quality.
- A classic.
- Dating from and characteristic of a past era.
Vintage clothing and accessories are a great way to make a style statement. Plus, they’re great for the environment!
Find meanings to related terms in the fashion dictionary
Also read:
Thrifting, preloved and sustainability in the secondhand fashion market
Adjective| \ ˈvē-gən ˈfa-shən
- The vegan label on a product entails that it does not contain any substances of animal origin
Mostly associated with food or lifestyle, the term vegan has gained massive popularity lately, in the fashion and beauty industries. The labels vegan and cruelty-free can be used interchangeably in the fashion industry, and they simply mean that there was no use of animal-based materials, but do not inherently imply eco-friendliness of the product.
Also read:
noun | \ ˈwȯr-ˌdrōb \
- A cabinet to store clothes in.
- A collection of apparel and accessories, belonging to a person, or created for an activity (like film or theatre production).
The clothes and accessories we wear–our wardrobes, essentially comprising all the items we have owned till date.
Also read:
The anatomy of a sustainable wardrobe
9 ways to make your closet more sustainable… On a budget
There’s plastic in your wardrobe!
Make your laundry more sustainable for an eco-friendly wardrobe
noun | \ ˈwərk-mən-ˌship\
- The skill of a craftsperson or artisan
- The quality of something made, as by an artisan.
Workmanship is a skill passed down the generations, along with the understanding of quality and sustainability of a product. Appreciation of it is integral to slow, conscious and ethical fashion.
Also read:
Phrase | \ ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-wāst \
- Creating products in a manner that eliminates the creation of waste.
- Repurposing waste generated in the production of an item, so it becomes a product with value.
Part of the broader sustainable fashion movement, pre-consumer zero-waste in fashion eliminates waste during manufacture, such as from the cutting process or even from defective bolts. Post-consumer zero-waste generates new clothing or accessories from offcuts and secondhand clothing, creating a new product at the end of life.
Also read:
You can swap clothes that are going to waste
How to throw a low-waste kids’ party
