Guide how to minimise your fast fashion consumption
The
more we buy, the more we throw away.
The
more we demand, the more they produce.
The
more they get away with producing and selling, the harder they push us to
consume even more.
The fashion industry is responsible for about 20% of water pollution around the globe
One garbage truck of clothes are burned or landfilled every second
When people think about minimizing their
environmental footprint, they think about less traveling or not eating meat
anymore. However, some day-to-day changes like buying less and more sustainable
clothing may one overlooked but is the right step into a more sustainable
future.
Step 1: Simplicity is the key
You do not have to keep up with every
trend because true style is not having an overflow of clothes and wear every
trend. And remember that less is more!
First, starting in your wardrobe: have a system – smart, sustainable but also beautiful
Make sure you see the majority of your clothes so no piece gets lost and forgotten – use hangers and clear storage
Organise it seasonal and prevent
buying too many clothes for only one season
Do not buy trendy clothes that will be
out of trend the next year, fast fashion products go out of style quickly – buy
timeless clothing and create your own style. Sometimes it is good to choose
high-quality, classic, versatile pieces because they last longer.
Step 2: Focus on clothes you love
Always focus on your individuality and
body shape instead of trends and what models and influencers wear. This lead to
buying less and you only choose clothes you really like and wear longer than
throwing it away after wearing them several times.
Step 3: Welcome Second-hand and
recycling
“Your trash is someone else’s treasure!”
Embrace second-hand in your wardrobe:
swap clothes with your friends or buy/sell clothes over companies like Vinted instead of shopping at fast fashion stores. When you are tired of some pieces
in your wardrobe, do not throw it away, but use second-hand. But think before
you throw clothing away!
Consider renting clothing, when you already know that you will wear the piece only once. This sounds absurd but it is a smart way to prevent that the value of a garment is wasted. Some brands have each partnered with companies to collect clothing and footwear for reuse and recycling and other brands not only collect used clothing in its stores but also offers repair services so its customers can extend the lives of their garments.
Step 4: Educate
yourself
You would only more
likely change your behaviour, if you learn more about problems and consequences
in the fast fashion industry. Therefore reading articles on the internet or
buying books over this topic, can help to educate yourself and others and
advise you what you can do to influence the change in a more sustainable
direction.
Step 5: Be more conscious of what you consume
Overall, it is crucial to consume less in every aspect. Invest in the development of new fibres that will lower the environmental effects of production and garment making.
Always think if you really need that one
thing you are going to buy.
1. If
you have less than 3 outfits in your mind with that piece, do not buy it!
2. If
you have to think more than 5 minutes if you should really buy it, do not buy
it!
3. Always
wear pieces you love most when you go shopping, therefore you already feel
self-confident about yourself.
Step
6: Switch to more sustainable clothing brands
When we do not change our way of consumption and just buying stuff from fast fashion stores, we can not expect that the industry changes and becomes more sustainable. Therefore, supporting sustainable fashion brands is one way in the right direction. These companies have fair working conditions and wages, workers are treated fair and with respect. However, most of them have high prices which is not affordable for everyone. So acknowledge your privilege if you can support these brands.
Sources
https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-social-and-environmental-impacts-fast-fashion
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-017-0058-9
http://whatshemakes.oxfam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Living-Wage-Media-Report_WEB.pdf
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