Drink more water. Exercise more consistently. Be more present. New Year’s resolutions can be a helpful push toward progress, but many of us make the same pledges each year, with little success.
Sustainable fashion is no exception. When Vogue Business asked industry leaders and experts to share their hopes for 2026, their responses could just as easily have come from any previous year.
Still, the new year is a chance to reset and refocus. Here are five New Year’s resolutions for the fashion industry to advance sustainability. Maybe 2026 will be the year things finally change for good.
1. Invest in resilience
In 2025, sustainable fashion was defined by instability—from tariffs and regulatory reversals to extreme weather and supply chain disruptions. This will continue throughout 2026, pushing resilience higher on the agenda for businesses. This represents a critical shift in how sustainability is framed: rather than arguing for change on moral grounds, sustainability teams are now making the business case based on present and future risks, and the rising cost of inaction.
“The macroeconomic environment will remain a headwind for many organizations, which means sustainability investments must demonstrate real value and resilience,” says Claire Bergkamp, CEO of the global nonprofit Textile Exchange.
What resilience looks like depends on the business. Brands that rely heavily on natural materials might invest in regenerative agriculture, protect water supplies, and support biodiversity through nature credits. Businesses operating in geopolitically vulnerable areas may want to diversify their supply chains or deepen relationships with strategic suppliers. Others might prioritize supply chain transparency and traceability to weed out potential malpractice that could become a reputational risk. Whatever form it takes, resilience will be essential to weathering whatever 2026 brings.
“Companies that invest early in understanding their supply systems, recognize there are no quick wins, and choose credible standards and collective action as core strategies will be best positioned for the future,” adds Bergkamp.
2. Protect workers better
While companies seek to protect their profits, they should also better protect their workers—a win-win for boosting productivity, creating a happier workforce, and building resilience upstream. There is a clear roadmap for this, says Bangladeshi trade unionist and former child garment worker Kalpona Akter.
“In 2026, the industry must prioritize legally binding agreements, enforceable labor rights, living wages, and freedom of association; just transition frameworks that protect jobs and incomes; direct engagement with unions and worker organizations; and shared responsibility, rather than pushing costs down the supply chain,” she explains. “Without these shifts, sustainability will continue to fail the people who make fashion possible. Change happens faster and more meaningfully when workers are organized, informed, and protected.”
While the need for better worker protections has always existed, the consequences of inaction are growing, says Dr. Hakan Karaosman, an associate professor at Politecnico di Milano. Over the past year, two strands of his research have converged, revealing a growing reckoning for fashion production. Garment workers are facing increasingly dangerous conditions—not least due to extreme heat—and recent investigations into Italian luxury supply chains have shed new light on the challenges of working in fashion factories. These factors could drive potential workers away from fashion production, posing an existential threat to brands.
“The luxury industry relies on labor and craftsmanship, yet there is a growing disparity between its future skill requirements and the reality that younger generations are not interested in pursuing these jobs,” he says. “Fashion has long neglected its most important asset: its people.”Could 2026 be the year the fashion industry finally ensures better working conditions and legal protections for garment workers?
3. Restructure teams for success
Each year, the Vogue Business sustainability leaders survey asks brands how they put their sustainability strategies into practice. The main finding is always the same: in-house sustainability teams are stretched thin, under-resourced, and often isolated from key decisions. According to Hannah Phang, co-founder and CMO of sustainability consultancy The Now Work, 2026 could be the year this changes, as brands begin to see the benefits of changes made in 2025.
New data systems, governance structures, and internal training programs—initially rushed to meet regulations—could now become the foundation for real transformation. “The clearest sign of this shift was when Vinted became France’s largest retailer,” Phang says. “It showed that when you fully commit to a new model and structure your organization around it, you can achieve major commercial success.”
Yet most companies aren’t set up to carry out the strategies they create, Phang adds. “Many solutions already exist, but progress is blocked by how work is organized, funded, communicated, and executed. My hope for 2026 is that the industry focuses on building the internal framework for sustainability to succeed—designing strategies that fit the company’s culture and structure, not ones that assume perfect conditions. We need a better balance between compliance, which sets a baseline, and transformation, which raises the bar. Right now, most teams are still stuck at the baseline.”
4. Align incentives and unlock funding
Once brands have their internal teams ready, they’ll need to work with their external partners, says Lewis Perkins, president and CEO of the Apparel Impact Institute. This means rethinking the incentives—and disincentives—that drive behavior.
“Decarbonization is really about alignment. If suppliers see a business case for investing and are rewarded for it, decarbonization projects will speed up,” he explains. One key way brands can encourage change is through their purchasing practices. “Brands must align their buying decisions with their climate goals so suppliers can invest confidently, knowing they’ll have ongoing business.”
A major question for 2026 will be how to address the “missing middle,” Perkins adds. “What about mid-size factory upgrades that are too big for single brands or grants, but perfect for pooled funding? They might still seem too risky or costly for banks alone, yet these projects—like heat pumps, boiler replacements, or water-reuse systems—deliver large-scale emissions reductions.”
5. Build stronger relationships with suppliers
Collaboration has long been a buzzword in sustainable fashion. Now, companies need to look at why it’s repeated so often—and how to act on it. “Real change depends on partnership and understanding the different realities people face across the supply chain,” says one expert. “Everyone is trying to do what’s best for themselves and their communities within their circumstances. If we want a healthy planet for the next generation, we must create solutions that reflect those realities and ensure that…””Everyone across the system needs support to make the transition,” says Bergkamp.
Kim van der Weerd, co-founder of the producer-led sustainability think tank Fashion Producer Collective, adds that building stronger supply chain relationships requires questioning assumptions, biases, and harmful incentives.
“Changing how we relate to each other isn’t a technical issue—it’s a cultural one. It’s about whose labor is valued and whose voice is heard; whose risks are acknowledged, whose constraints are taken seriously, and what choices feel possible,” she says. “If we want to handle uncertainty differently—and make engagement with upstream partners meaningful—we need to rethink the culture that shapes our relationships, decisions, and priorities. This isn’t just essential for sustainability; it’s a way to make the entire industry more resilient and adaptable.”
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Five Sustainable Fashion Resolutions for the New Year
Getting Started Definitions
Q What exactly is sustainable fashion
A Its an approach to fashion that considers the environmental and social impact of clothing It focuses on making and buying clothes in ways that are better for the planet and the people who make them
Q Are these resolutions expensive or only for people who can afford eco brands
A Not at all Most sustainable fashion habits like wearing what you already own or mending clothes actually save you money Its more about mindset than budget
Q Im new to this Where should I start
A Start with the easiest resolution for you For most people thats Wear What You Own or Wash with Care Pick one master it then add another
The Five Resolutions Details HowTo
Q What does Wear What You Own really mean Isnt that obvious
A It means being intentional Instead of thinking I have nothing to wear you creatively style and rewear the items already in your closet Its about appreciating and using your current wardrobe fully
Q How can I make my old clothes feel new again
A Try shopping your closet put together new combinations you havent worn before or accessorize differently A simple change like tucking in a shirt or adding a belt can make an outfit feel fresh
Q Whats the best way to Buy Less Choose Well How do I know if something is wellmade
A Look for durable fabrics strong seams and sturdy zippersbuttons Ask yourself Will I wear this at least 30 times If yes its a good choice
Q Can you give me examples of mindful materials to look for
A Look for natural renewable or recycled materials Common ones are organic cotton linen hemp Tencel and recycled polyester or nylon
Q Wash with Care sounds minor Does it really make a big difference
A Yes Washing clothes less often in cold water and airdrying significantly reduces energy use water consumption and