Fast fashion is going out of style, if new sustainability rules are approved by EU member states.
Proposals include that by 2030, textile products on the European Union market are long-lived and recyclable.
This would see products made as much as possible of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances, and produced in respect of social rights and the environment.
While a new labelling system would let consumers know when products have come from sustainable sources.
"Producers have to take responsibility for their products along the value chain, including when they become waste", the European Commission said on Wednesday.
"In this way, the circular textiles ecosystem will be thriving, and be driven by sufficient capacities for innovative fibre-to-fibre recycling, while the incineration and landfilling of textiles has to be reduced to the minimum."
The EU Ecolabel. Picture by: European UnionTo address fast fashion, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles also calls on companies to reduce the number of collections per year, and for member states to adopt "favourable taxation measures" for the reuse and repair sector.
Fashion designer Helen Steele told Newstalk Breakfast this is a change that needs to happen.
"It was inevitable and it's a good thing, to be honest, badly needed in the industry.
"I think what we're doing in the EU it will have an effect on that when it comes to factory checks.
"But definitely in the industry, we are using an awful lot more recycled fabrics.
"There's incredible change happening in the industry; there's fabrics like tencels, bamboo rayon, ucircular fabrics, fabrics made from wood pulp.
"The fabrics are out there".
And she believes the use of such fabrics will mean changes to the kind of clothes we see.
"The fabrics have come a long way - originally there's been an awful lot of trial and error.
"I've been burnt a couple of times with quality, but the fabrics are definitely getting so much better.
"The hand feel is incredible and I just think it's a change that needs to happen.
"It's just something we just need to get used to as consumers".
European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans says: "It's time to end the model of ‘take, make, break, and throw away' that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy.
"Today's proposals will ensure that only the most sustainable products are sold in Europe.
"They allow consumers to save energy, repair and not replace broken products, and make smart environmental choices when they are shopping for new ones.
"This is how we bring balance back in our relationship with nature and reduce our vulnerability to disruptions in global supply chains."
