Sustainable Fashion: What GOTS-Certified Clothing and Eco Labels Mean

Sustainable fashion: the path to a more considered wardrobe

More and more people are interested in sustainable fashion and pay attention to labels, certificates and transparent information. But what lies behind terms such as GOTS label, ECOVERO™, capsule wardrobe and Fair Fashion? In this article you will learn what the most important labels mean and how you can shop more consciously.

1. What does the GOTS label mean?

The GOTS certificate (Global Organic Textile Standard) is one of the best-known textile labels. It applies to textiles made from organically grown natural fibres and includes criteria for the entire processing chain. What exactly does that mean?

• GOTS-certified clothing contains at least 70% organically grown natural fibres (“organic” label: at least 95%).
• Environmental and social criteria along the entire textile chain.
• Prohibition or restriction of certain chemicals in processing.
• Audits by independent certification bodies.

The GOTS label is therefore a useful reference point if you want to understand how a garment was made.

2. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ – an alternative to conventional viscose

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ is a viscose fibre made by the Austrian manufacturer Lenzing. According to the manufacturer, the wood comes from certified and controlled sources.

Properties of ECOVERO™:

• According to the manufacturer, up to 50% lower emissions and water impact compared with conventional viscose.
• The fibres are traceable through Lenzing’s identification system.
• Soft, fluid and comfortable to wear.

ECOVERO™ is popular in many capsule wardrobes because it combines well with other materials such as organic cotton. Find out more on our LENZING™ ECOVERO™ page.

3. Capsule wardrobe: minimalism meets mindfulness

A capsule wardrobe helps you shop more consciously. The idea is to own a small selection of garments that are easy to combine with one another.

Step-by-step guide to a capsule wardrobe:

1. Choose a colour palette – opt for neutral colours such as beige, black, white or grey.
2. Buy good-quality basics – well-made clothing usually lasts longer.
3. Pass clothes on – sell or donate pieces you no longer wear.
4. Look for certificates – for example GOTS-certified clothing, or labels that are transparent about their production.

4. Fair Fashion in Germany

If you are interested in Fair Fashion, you will find plenty of options in Germany. Cities such as Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart in particular have a growing scene.

Fair Fashion in German cities:

• Berlin – numerous fashion labels, concept stores and second-hand shops.
• Munich, Cologne and Hamburg – fashion shops focusing on certified materials, plus second-hand boutiques.
• Freiburg and Augsburg – smaller cities have a growing offering too.

5. Alpaca wool: what should you look out for?

Many labels use alpaca wool. As with any animal-derived material, though, it is worth taking a closer look:

Questions you can ask yourself:

• Where does the wool come from and how are the animals kept?
• How is the fibre processed and dyed?
• Is there an independent certificate?

Tip: look for standards such as the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), which sets criteria for animal welfare and land management.

6. What about returns? Tips for your order

Online orders are part of everyday life – but every return means extra transport and effort. Here are a few tips:

• Shop consciously – use a capsule wardrobe list and the size charts to avoid buying the wrong thing.
• Bundle returns – if a return is necessary, try to send several items back in one parcel.
• Pass it on – clothes you kept but no longer wear can be sold or donated.

Shopping consciously is worth it!

Whether ECOVERO™, GOTS-certified clothing or a capsule wardrobe – paying attention to certificates and quality helps you buy more deliberately and wear your clothes for longer. Certifications and labels make it easier to make informed buying decisions.
If you want to shop more consciously, start with small steps: learn about materials, look for certificates and invest in a well-thought-out capsule wardrobe! You can find an overview of our certificates here.