Fighting fast fashion
One of the most important and controversial topics in politics right now is the climate emergency. You hear talk on the news about carbon emissions from vehicles, oil companies pumping toxic gases into the atmosphere and what you as a consumer can do to help the environment, and you may have heard the term ‘fast fashion’ being thrown around a bit. Fast fashion refers to clothes or garments that are created quickly by mass retailers in response to trends. The high volume of production but also the amount of waste it generates contributes huge amounts to climate change, especially considering the rise in fast fashion brands like boohoo, SHEIN and even high street staples like Primark. However, the answer to the problem is not simply to eradicate these brands - these brands often offer competitive prices for clothes and are relied on by a large portion of society for clothing. The alternatives to fast fashion and shopping from more sustainable brands are always going to be more expensive and require more effort which is not accessible to a lot of people. But if you have the means to do so, how can you help the fast fashion crisis?
Second hand clothing
Recently, there has been a spike in the demand for vintage clothes and vintage or thrift shopping. Buying second hand is a great way to get value for money, find unique pieces and if you love shopping, is just a fun experience overall. Charity shops sell second hand clothing donated by people and are often cheaper than vintage stores and donate the proceeds to charity, but if there’s a specific designer or vintage brand you are looking for, it is perhaps better to visit a vintage store as their collections are more curated but also more pricey. There is also the option to buy second hand online on shops like eBay or Depop which can be more convenient and also a lot more ethical than online shopping.
Donate old clothes
If you have clothes that no longer fit you, donating these clothes to the above mentioned charity stores rather than throwing them away in a landfill is a lot better for the environment and may even generate money for a charity - a win win really.
Upcycle old clothes
This is really if you have the abilities and time to do so, but upcycling old clothes can be great fun! There are some great tutorials on YouTube to make shorts out of jeans, or bags out of old t-shirts. You can even upcycle old t-shirts into reusable face masks! It does however require some time dedication, but is a great arts and crafts project.
Shop sustainably
Many brands are now looking into sustainability, whether it is more ethical working conditions for workers or more sustainability sourced materials. These clothes, however, can be a bit pricier and there is less choice, but encouraging this niche in the market will help it grow meaning more sustainable choices in the future.
The most sustainable outfit is the one already in your wardrobe
Finally, don’t buy new clothes if you don’t need them. We live in an age of consumerism where keeping up with the latest trend is viewed to be important, and this often relates to fashion. Try wearing what you already have in a new way, or match it with different pieces. If you are going to purchase new clothes, be smart about what you buy - is it good quality and will you get lots of wear out of it? Or is it going to lie untouched in your wardrobe before you replace it again?
It is no secret that the majority of the damage to the environment is not done by consumers like you and me, but by large corporations who skirt environmental laws and pump tons and tons of toxic waste into the air and water. However, by trying to make our habits more sustainable, we can try and force these companies into supplying us with sustainably sourced goods and change them for the better - we, as consumers, really hold the power. It is something we must all strive to do as much as we can, whether it’s recycling more, wasting less water or shopping sustainably.