Natural textile colourants have historically been sourced from insects, plants, and animals, with their use dating back to 3500 bc. Until W.H. Perkins discovered synthetic dyes in 1856, and these natural dyes were used to colour cellulosic and protein-based fibres. Today, the textile industry poses a significant environmental threat by producing vast amounts of fabric and consuming enormous quantities of water annually. During the dyeing process, approximately 10–15% of the unfixed dye is released into water bodies as wastewater, significantly contributing to pollution. Currently, 90% of our clothes are dyed using synthetic dyes. Addressing the environmental challenges related to textile dyeing and treatment and exploring new sustainable technologies are crucial. Textile dyeing depletes freshwater resources and continuously pollutes the surface water. For decades, researchers have developed waterless and pollution-free dyeing technologies. For more than a decade, research has been striving for developing no-water and pollution-free dyeing technologies. The successful development of air and waterless dyeing techniques and the process of dyeing by using microbes have all sprung from these efforts, from pre-autoclaving the fabrics to avoid contamination. When compared to traditional methods, these methods have several advantages, such as lower energy consumption, shorter processing times, and reduced waste and greenhouse gas emissions. They are easy to access, reusable, non-flammable, odourless, and nontoxic, thus rendering them both ecologically sound and economical. To address these urgent concerns and interests, this study gives an overview of the status of sustainable research and development on the colouration of textile materials.