Fashion Footprint: What Is the Carbon Cost of Your Clothes?

Each garment you buy has a carbon footprint—from growing the fiber to manufacturing, shipping, washing, and disposal.

Here’s a breakdown:

• A pair of jeans: ~33.4 kg CO₂ (equivalent to driving 80 miles)

• A cotton t-shirt: ~2.1 kg CO₂

• A polyester dress: ~17 kg CO₂ (plus microplastic shedding)

What makes emissions worse?

• Fast production cycles

• Synthetics derived from fossil fuels

• Overconsumption

What lowers your footprint?

• Wearing clothes longer

• Washing with cold water

• Air drying

• Shopping secondhand

• Supporting low-carbon brands

Your closet is part of the climate equation. Dress like the earth depends on it—because it does.