How lockdown taught me the shocking truth of how little I knew about the products and clothes I’ve been buying for years. The world, including myself, needs to change and right now is the time to do it!
Being stuck at home during this pandemic has taught me a lot about myself. One of my biggest takeaways has been that it is important for me to stay mentally occupied during the day. If I don’t challenge myself enough it quickly results in sleepless nights.
To avoid this from happening I decided to take some online courses. With a background in Visual Merchandising and a 'passion for fashion' I’ve had from a very young age, I decided it was time to learn some new skills. Little did I know that a course in Fashion and Sustainability I stumbled upon via Instagram would change my view of the industry for good.
What is Sustainability?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines sustainability as the following:
However when it comes to the fashion industry we soon find out that it isn't so easy to define. There are a lot of different sides to the areas that need improvement down the supply chain. Referring back to the course I took, it can be broken down in the following issues:
- Climate Change
- Water Stress
- Hazardous Chemicals & Pollution
- Land Use & Biodiversity
- Diminishing Resources
- Consumption & Waste
- Modern Day Slavery
- Wellbeing
Some of the points above you might have thought of straight away, but I hope this blog gives you some more food for thought. There are more things to consider when we buy clothes than the latest trends and how nice it looks.
What can we do to be more Sustainable?
As Vivienne Westwood said:
'Buy less, choose well, make it last.'
1. Try not to buy
The most sustainable thing to do is to not buy anything. As soon as you purchase something you are contributing in producing waste sooner or later. Realising that is an important first step.
2. Ask questions
The first question is one you should ask yourself: Do I really need it? If you already have this item but in a different colour or style, perhaps it's time to consider whether you really need it. At first this might be difficult but over time you will learn more about what you really need.
When you've established that the item is something you need consider this: Can I buy it second hand? Thrifting is a great option and has many upsides to it. You might be able to find an absolute gem for a fraction of its original price. At the same time you are saving clothes from going into landfill and in some cases you can even support charities with you purchase.
If you need to purchase something new make sure it's the most sustainable option you can find.
You could start by asking the following questions:
- Which fabrics/materials have been used for this item? Certifications can be a good indicator.
- Where has the item been produced? The closer to home, the less the CO2 emission.
- Has the item been ethically produced? Make a commitment to only invest in items that positively impact someone else's life.
- Is this brand completely transparent about their practices? If not, they might be hiding something.
One last thing to ensure when you buy something is that the item is of good quality to make sure it will last you as long as possible.
3. Loved clothes last
Make sure you look after clothes as well as you can.
- Minimise washing
- Wash on low temperatures
- Choose your detergent wisely
- Mend/repair your items if they break
If you can't mend/repair them, perhaps there is another way to wear them. Turn those jeans into shorts for example. Not only good for the planet but also a great way to let your creativity out.
Considering these 3 points will be a first step towards a more sustainable future for all of us. I hope that this blog will inspire you to take a breath and think before you impulse buy. Together we can make a difference, so I hope you'll join me on this journey.
I'd love to hear from you if you have any more tips. Please share them below in the comments so we can learn from each other and grow together!
Yours in Sustainability,
Inge
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