By Teagan Rowe
Australian clothing brands are becoming increasingly more sustainable, with a number of labels now utilising recycled material, ethical production, and a transparent supply chain to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly fashion.
Popular Aussie clothing brand Cotton On is well known for their ongoing determination to create sustainable fashion, pledging that they will switch to 100% renewable energy across all operations by 2030.
Their website includes a page listing ways in which Cotton On hopes to “make a positive impact on the planet” and find solutions to solve the global waste problem of fast fashion.
Sustainable fashion educators Nina Gbor and Olivia Chollet wrote a discussion paper on behalf of the Australian Institute in May of 2024, which outlined the country’s contribution to global textile waste each year.
“Every year, over 300,000 tonnes of clothing is either sent to landfill or exported from Australia.”
Younger consumers are more concerned about sustainability, acknowledging the issue by consistently pushing for environmentally friendly clothing and sustainable ways of conducting business in the fashion industry.
A 2025 study by the Statista Research Department about the sustainable fashion consumption in Australia within the past year, shows that Aussie shoppers are more becoming more conscious about the environment when shopping for clothes.
The study found that 92% of Australians view sustainability as important, and 31% feel that many fashion brands are transparent about making their clothing and business more sustainable.
Despite the positive impact sustainable clothing has on the planet, many consumers worry that eco-friendly fashion is unrealistic to society’s standards.
With ethical production and renewable operations comes high production costs and as a result, everyday clothing becomes overpriced and expensive.
Fashion blogger Paulina Kulczycki from SANVT says that while sustainable clothing is more costly than fast fashion, the natural fibres used in eco-friendly material are extremely durable and made to withstand regular washing, effectively justifying the price.
“Sustainable fashion brands, on the other hand, usually manufacture their clothing to a very high standard.”
With Australian clothing brands consciously choosing environmentally safe materials and production operations, sustainability might not just be a trend – it might be the future of Australian clothing.
Teagan Rowe is a journalism student with a passion for all things entertainment! She is currently studying at QUT. Contact teagan.rowe2012@outlook.com
