By Paz Coliguante - Translated by Leidy Rachen

 

Fashion becomes sustainable not at the moment of purchase, but in the care we give to what’s already in our hands. In a world marked by accelerated consumption and rapid discarding, sustaining, repairing, and preserving become powerful activist acts. Taking care of our clothes is much more than a domestic routine: it is a way to get involved with our style, our environment, and the planet's future.

 

Because caring means valuing. And what we value, we preserve.

 

Perhaps when we buy a new garment, what we do not see is the impact. The textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world: it uses 20% of global wastewater, produces 10% of the planet's carbon emissions, and it is estimated that the equivalent of a garbage truck full of textiles is buried or incinerated every second. Making a single T-shirt can require more than 2,700 litres of water, and a pair of jeans, up to 33.4 kilowatt hours of energy.

 

In the face of this, care becomes a revolutionary act. Because every time we decide not to replace a garment, but to extend its useful life, we are reducing the need to produce a new one. And that has a real, measurable, and transformative impact..

 

It all starts with something simple: reading the label. This little guide contains symbols that tell us how to wash, dry, iron, or even if bleach can be used. They are instructions to respect the integrity of the fibers and extend the useful life of the garment. Using cold water, avoiding the dryer, lying in the shade, or inverting the garment before washing it are small actions with great consequences.

 

Over time, we come to understand that caring is also a form of style. It is choosing garments that represent us, that we want to keep wearing for years, that make us feel good. When we take care of them, we commit to them. We create a bond that goes beyond fast fashion. Our closet becomes a reflection of who we are, and also of what we decide to defend.

 

Because taking care of your clothes is not only about extending their life, it is about building a more conscious and human wardrobe that is aligned with the world we want to live in. Fashion becomes sustainable not at the moment of purchase, but in the care we give to what’s already in our hands.. With each garment we keep, we are preventing a new one from polluting, spending more litres of water, energy, and other resources.

 

Caring is also a form of silent activism. It is an everyday decision that generates a huge impact. And the best part is that it is available to everyone.

 

Sustainable fashion is not a luxury. It is a practice, and it starts at home.