GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE FASHION
The assignment was to compose a blog post about a topic the student was passionate about. In my case, it was zero waste living and sustainable fashion
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What is fast fashion?
Fast fashion refers to the process of large retailers recreating trends and designs from luxury brands for low prices and at a fast speed. This makes fashionable items that would be otherwise expensive, accessible to the mass public. Think of clothing stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Shein who all sell low-quality clothing for less than $20 each. Unfortunately, this desire for fashion at such a low cost and fast time results in negative environmental impact and human rights violations. Fast fashion brands use toxic chemicals, dyes, and synthetic fabrics which are full of lead and pesticides that will almost never decompose when they’re more than likely thrown away for their quality. Further, creating these chemical filled clothing affects the people who make them since they are exposed to dangerous amounts of lead increasing their risk of infertility, heart attacks and more. High demand also results in people working long hours, receiving lack of resources, physical abuse, and being underpaid and underfed.
Option one: Thrifting
To avert the negative effects of fast fashion, the best option is to head to the thrift store. For me, thrift stores never seemed like an option since my family created a negative stigma around them. Further, I knew they were a resource for those who needed it more than me. Now, I visit thrift stores often because I know I can give a second life to trendy, rare, and good quality items. You can find the same high waisted jeans, graphic t-shirts, and floral dresses you see in a Forever 21 for less than $20 depending on the store. It may take longer to find pieces since thrift stores aren’t geared or repositioned toward a certain demographic or seasonal trend. You can also use apps like Depop, ThredUp, and Poshmark where people buy and sell their old clothing. Unfortunately, thrift stores are beginning to raise their prices because they’re catching on to the rising trend in thrifting. More and more people are visiting thrift stores either for themselves, or to resell items for three times their price online.
Option two: Hand me downs
The second option to avoiding the fast fashion industry is accepting and giving out hand me downs. This was something I’ve done my whole life without realizing its positive impact because I have so many older cousins who’ve lent me clothing that no longer fits them. Similar to thrifting, you will give unwanted, rare, and meaningful clothing a second life, all for free! I have received so many cardigans, sweaters, and blouses from the 70s and 80s from my mother and grandmother. I love wearing these pieces because of their meaningfulness and always receive so many compliments on their vintage style.
Option three: Sustainable stores
The last option is to purchase from stores aimed to provide sustainably sourced and ethically produced clothing. These brands are considered “slow fashion” since their main mission to approach fashion in an ethical and transparent way, unlike their counterparts. Some sustainable brands include stores like Everlane, Reformation, and Kotn. A lot of well-known brands like Champion, Hanes, Adidas, and Reebok practice sustainability too. The only downside to sustainable clothing brands is their price. Since their clothing isn’t produced cheaply or fast, it often runs at expensive prices.
Even if you choose not to follow these sustainable consumer tips, you may want to think twice before throwing out your unwanted clothing and make sure to give it to your friends and family or donate it to your local thrift store.
To learn more about which brands are ethical and or sustainable, visit baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/2018-ethical-fashion-guide.