Introduction: Why Inclusion and Sustainability Must Go Hand in Hand
Fashion has always been a mirror of culture, but too often, it’s reflected only a narrow slice of humanity. As sustainability movements grow louder, the question isn’t just how to save the planet; it’s also who gets to participate in the solutions. For decades, the fashion industry has largely excluded plus-size consumers, disabled individuals, BIPOC creators, and low-income shoppers from its sustainability narratives.
Sustainable fashion without inclusion is simply not sustainable. Real change requires addressing not only environmental waste but also systemic inequality, from garment worker rights to body diversity on runways.
Creating a wardrobe that’s both inclusive and sustainable isn’t just about choosing the right fabrics. It’s about choosing the right values. This article unpacks how we can all build wardrobes that reduce harm and increase representation, one conscious choice at a time.
1. Redefining Sustainability Beyond Materials
Most conversations around sustainable fashion focus on eco-friendly fabrics: organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester. But true sustainability goes deeper than what clothes are made of. It asks:
- Who made the garment, and were they paid fairly?
- Can people of all sizes, backgrounds, and abilities access it?
- Does the brand perpetuate harmful beauty standards or exclusivity?
A sustainable wardrobe should support both the planet and the people living on it. That includes farmers, factory workers, models, consumers, everyone in the fashion ecosystem.
Intersectional sustainability is the goal. It means recognizing that climate justice and social justice are inseparable.
2. The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Green Fashion
For too long, “ethical fashion” has catered to a narrow demographic: slim, white, affluent consumers with time and resources to shop niche brands. But the reality is:
- Many sustainable brands only offer sizes XS to L.
- Ethical pieces often come with hefty price tags.
- Minimalist aesthetics don’t speak to everyone’s identity or culture.
This gatekeeping creates an illusion that sustainable fashion isn’t for everyone; when in fact, marginalized communities have practiced sustainable fashion long before it was branded as such (think: clothing swaps, mending, hand-me-downs, and cultural garment reuse).
To make your wardrobe more inclusive, it’s time to reject the elitism baked into green fashion and embrace a broader vision of what sustainable style looks like.
3. Start With What You Own — and Who You Support
The most sustainable (and inclusive) piece of clothing is the one you already have. Instead of chasing trendy “eco-friendly” brands, consider:
- Rewearing what you have — no matter the label.
- Repairing clothes instead of discarding them.
- Resisting the pressure to constantly buy to fit in with aesthetic ideals.
Also, examine your buying patterns. Are you supporting diverse creators and brands run by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, or plus-size founders?
Making your wardrobe inclusive means using your dollars to uplift underrepresented voices.
4. Size-Inclusive Fashion Is Sustainable Fashion
Nearly 70% of American women wear a size 14 or above, yet the majority of sustainable fashion stops at size L or XL. This is not just a sizing issue: it’s an access issue.
To make your wardrobe more size-inclusive and sustainable:
- Seek out size-inclusive ethical brands, like:
- Girlfriend Collective (XXS–6XL)
- Universal Standard (00–40)
- Loud Bodies (XS–10XL)
- Altar PDX (XS–6X, BIPOC-owned)
- Tailor thrifted pieces to fit your body: it’s a sustainable way to personalize your style.
- Support campaigns for more inclusive sizing in mainstream sustainable labels.
Remember: Sustainability isn’t sustainable if it excludes most people’s bodies.
5. Adaptive Fashion Is an Untapped Frontier in Sustainability
For disabled consumers, most fashion is not made with accessibility in mind; from hard-to-use buttons to uncomfortable seams and rigid fabrics. Adaptive fashion solves this through design innovations like:
- Magnetic closures
- Elastic waists
- Tagless labeling
- Seated designs for wheelchair users
- Prosthetic-friendly shapes
While mainstream adaptive lines (like Tommy Adaptive or Zappos Adaptive) are growing, they’re often missing from sustainability conversations.
To support this movement:
- Follow disabled creators like @emilyladau or @wheelchair_rapunzel.
- Buy from adaptive brands like IZ Adaptive, Care+Wear, and Liberare.
- Advocate for eco-conscious brands to collaborate with disabled designers.
Clothing that works for more bodies means less waste and greater wardrobe longevity.
6. Budget Inclusivity: Sustainable Fashion Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
One of the biggest critiques of sustainable fashion is the cost. While ethically made clothing is often priced higher (to reflect fair wages and quality materials), that doesn’t mean sustainability is only for the wealthy.
Here’s how to build a sustainable wardrobe without breaking the bank:
- Thrift and resale: Shop secondhand at Goodwill, Depop, eBay, or local vintage stores.
- Clothing swaps: Host or attend events to refresh your closet without buying new.
- Upcycle: Repurpose old clothes into something new — cut, dye, or re-style.
- Buy less, better: Invest slowly in high-quality basics that last years.
- Shop small or local: Many indie BIPOC and queer designers offer sustainable pieces at a range of price points.
Sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be new: just thoughtful.
7. Cultural Respect, Not Appropriation
An inclusive wardrobe also honors where fashion comes from. Cultural garments: from saris and hanboks to dashikis and huipils, have deep histories and sustainable craftsmanship rooted in tradition.
Avoid cultural appropriation by:
- Supporting creators from that culture when wearing traditional garments.
- Learning the context behind the design.
- Avoiding mass-market copies of sacred or ceremonial attire.
Seek out brands that work with global artisans in ethical ways, like Maiyet, MATTER Prints, or Tonlé. Inclusion means not just consuming culture, but giving credit and compensation where it’s due.
8. The Power of Representation: Who We See Matters
Your wardrobe is shaped by the images you see. If you’ve never seen a disabled model in a fashion campaign or a plus-size woman in high-end sustainable clothes, it subtly suggests: this isn’t for you.
Support brands that celebrate:
- Diverse skin tones and body types
- Trans and gender-nonconforming models
- Disabled and neurodivergent individuals
- People of all ages and backgrounds
Representation isn’t a box to check; it’s a reflection of reality. And when fashion reflects real people, it’s more likely to serve them.
9. Rethink Gender Norms in Fashion
Sustainable fashion can also be a tool to break free from rigid gender binaries. Many ethical brands now offer gender-neutral or unisex collections, acknowledging that style isn’t confined to “men’s” or “women’s” departments.
To make your wardrobe more gender-inclusive:
- Shop by fit, not label — wear what feels good, not what’s prescribed.
- Explore gender-fluid brands, like:
- Official Rebrand
- Origami Customs
- Wildfang
- Not Equal
Inclusive fashion affirms everyone’s identity and resists wasteful gendered marketing.
10. Slow Style Is Inclusive Style
Fast fashion thrives on exclusion; by constantly shifting trends, it pressures people to buy more to keep up. Slow fashion, by contrast, encourages:
- Timeless design
- Intentional purchasing
- Style over status
Slow style includes everyone because it’s not about being “on trend”; it’s about being true to yourself. The more we embrace personal, lasting style, the less we feed systems that profit from insecurity.
11. Use Your Influence: Inclusion Starts With You
You don’t need to be an influencer to make a difference. Every time you shop, share, or speak about inclusive sustainable fashion, you’re shaping the future of the industry.
Here’s how to use your platform (big or small):
- Amplify marginalized voices in fashion spaces.
- Call out brands that greenwash but don’t offer inclusive sizing or fair labor.
- Support local creators, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled designers.
- Start conversations in your community about inclusive sustainability.
- Vote with your wallet, but also with your voice.
True sustainability requires collective action, and it starts in your closet.
12. Build a Wardrobe That Reflects Your Values
Your clothes tell a story. What do you want yours to say?
A wardrobe that’s inclusive and sustainable reflects values like:
- Respect: For people, cultures, and the planet
- Equity: So all bodies, identities, and abilities feel seen and served
- Mindfulness: In how you buy, wear, and discard clothing
- Creativity: Through personal style that resists trends
- Connection: To communities making real change
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress; one thoughtful outfit at a time.
Conclusion: Fashion That Includes Everyone Is the Future
We cannot build a sustainable future if it only serves a few. Fashion must become a space where all bodies, identities, cultures, and incomes feel welcome, not just in marketing campaigns, but in design, pricing, and access.
Making your wardrobe more inclusive and sustainable is a journey: one filled with creativity, self-discovery, and collective care. It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about shifting how we relate to clothes, and how our clothes relate to the world.
References
Aja Barber – Consumed: The Need for Collective Change
https://www.ajabarber.com/book
Elizabeth L. Cline – The Conscious Closet
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605134/the-conscious-closet-by-elizabeth-l-cline/
Sinead Burke – Disability and Inclusive Design Advocacy
https://sinead-burke.com/
Fashion Revolution – Who Made My Clothes? Campaign
https://www.fashionrevolution.org/
Remake – Fashion Industry Transparency & Worker Advocacy
https://remake.world/
Slow Factory Foundation – Climate and Social Justice in Fashion
https://slowfactory.foundation/
Centre for Sustainable Fashion – London College of Fashion
https://www.sustainable-fashion.com/
Girlfriend Collective – Size-Inclusive Activewear (XXS–6XL)
https://www.girlfriend.com/
Universal Standard – Clothing for Sizes 00–40
https://www.universalstandard.com/
Loud Bodies – Ethical Clothing up to 10XL
https://loudbodies.com/
Olivia Santoro is a writer and communications creative focused on media, digital culture, and social impact, particularly where communication intersects with society. She’s passionate about exploring how technology, storytelling, and social platforms shape public perception and drive meaningful change. Olivia also writes on sustainability in fashion, emerging trends in entertainment, and stories that reflect Gen Z voices in today’s fast-changing world.
Connect with her here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-santoro-1b1b02255/
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