A Sustainable Dictionary
Deadstock
Leftover/extra fabric ordered by designers, fashion brands, and fabric stores who overestimated their needs and would otherwise end up in landfills.
De-Stash
Fabric that has been discarded from an individual’s personal fabric collection.
Fast Fashion
Cheap clothing that is mass marketed unethically at alarming speeds and volumes to keep up with current trends.
Greenwashing
When a company makes themselves look eco-friendly but continues to engage in unethical fast fashion behaviors. A clear sign of this is when companies are deliberately vague about how they are being sustainable.
Organic Cotton
Organic Cotton is higher quality than conventional cotton and is shown to use over 60% less energy to produce. You may see it with an OCS or GOTS certification.
Remnants
Can include fabric from the end of a fabric bolt, random size & shape cut offs, and/or small portions of fabric leftover from larger projects.
Secondhand
Used or new fabric from household linens or garments sourced from thrift stores, charity shops, donations, and/or estate sales. May also see the terms upcycled/re-purposed used to describe secondhand fabrics.
Slow Fashion
The opposite of fast fashion. A lifestyle and philosophy that advocates for consuming less, investing in higher quality pieces, and making better choices for garment industry workers and the environment. May also see this referred to as Low Impact Fashion.
Textile Waste
A broad term used to refer to unused fabric and unsold garments that is wasted by the fashion industry.
Vintage
Used or new fabric from household linens or garments that is 20 years or older.