Fashion, as we know it, is the second largest polluting industry across the globe, and so more and more industry insiders are pledging to move towards making fashion an eco-sustainable business. But what is sustainability exactly? And do the millennials and Gen-Z, the potential flagbearers of the movement, understand the term fully? To find out the answers to these questions, this Earth Day, we asked our staffers to share with us, what sustainability in fashion stands for, according to them. And this is what we found…

Hand me downs form a huge part of my sustainable wardrobe – they are a great combination of value for clothing and an emotional connect. I’m always happy to re-wear pieces passed down to me by siblings, parents and grandparents. I also recommend that don’t always throw away clothes you don't wear – try to see if they can be cut and styled in a different way or be upcycled – for example a long jumpsuit cut into a short one or an old jeans converted into a shirt etc. And if you still can’t find use for them, donate them instead of trashing it away.

For me, being sustainable in my fashion choices relates to investing in classic pieces that are versatile and can be styled in different ways. Two items of clothing I always keep in my closet are my black trousers and a white t-shirt. They are super simple to style and can be worn for a casual date or even to a party! Another way that I have curated a sustainable wardrobe is re-using my mother and grandmother's old saris to craft lehengas and kurtas from. Not only am I re-cycling materials, but it's also a great way to honour the elegant style and heritage of my family.

Personally, I think that sustainability in fashion means buying a piece that is of high quality and can be worn for a long period of time, or an extremely versatile piece, that can be worn in multiple ways. It also means purchasing locally made pieces from labels that support artisans and craftsmanship over the unethically crafted ones from fast-fashion brands. For me, it’s all about quality over quantity! Some of my favourite sustainable labels on Nykaa Fashion are Kaveri, Mati and Doodlage.