Did you during lockdown shock yourself regarding how much fast fashion labels you bought and you don’t like? Did you fathom how much clothes you purchased and know they won’t even last a season?
How many clothes did you buy that were bought on emotion and are still paying the credit card bill?
How many clothes do you have that you still have never worn?
Take the ethical stand on where you buy your fashion.
This vintage white blouse fabric is fifty years old. The fabric was sourced in a closing down sale in Italy. I get many compliments around Europe when I wear this authentic blouse.
Sustainable Fashion The Consequences
Fast fashion is globally the most brutal industry in the world when it comes to our earth. To make clothes we need lots of water. To grow cotton we need lots of water. To keep up with Primark and Zara turnaround regarding a three-week window. In where new clothes are on our shelves. The compromise is cheap labour and bad working conditions.
The next time you buy something for less than 3pounds. Ask yourself how is that even possible to make?
Did you follow the world during a lockdown? In where you saw dolphins swimming in the Venice canal. Or ducks walking through major cities. Did you wonder why that happened?
The world stood still and mother earth has a rest from us damaging our waters and land.
So can you imagine if we all stopped buying clothes for a whole year? We certainly did during lockdown. I bought nothing for three months.
Did you realise during lockdown how much stuff we own and don’t need or use?
Top is five years old
Think Less Buy Less
I grew up where buying anything was a luxury. buying new clothes was rare. Hand me downs were always in my wardrobe. It was these experiences that toughened me up regarding emotional buying. Seasons were normally just three therefore our clothing options were much less.
The clothes lasted so much longer too.
I have wasted so much money on clothes and shoes over the years. I am too scared to add up what I could have saved if I had bought less.
Does a very expensive house come to mind?
One of many shoes I own. one of many I have given away too
Throwing Clothes Away
In the last year, I am ashamed to say that anything I bought on emotion or in fast fashion shops. I have given almost everything away. There are three reasons for that.
The first being the clothes looked rubbish after a few washes. High-quality fabrics such as silk, cotton and good leather last a lifetime.
The second reason I bought them as they were in the sale and not really liked them. Sales will always be there, you won’t miss out.
The third is that I never needed to buy the clothes in the first place. I just needed to make myself feel happy. Buying clothes is a short term fix for your problem.
Deal with the issue at hand and watch your purchasing power change.
Quality Fabrics That Last A Few Seasons
When I grew upcycling in Italy were of high quality both in design and fabrics. Wearing those thick fabrics that came from Italy was pleasurable to feel and wear. The reason I buy and give away easily is that the fabric feels horrible. Or it looks worn out and that plays with my mind.
Sadly it is getting hard to find clothing that is made of high-quality materials.
Just because you are paying a lot for clothing does not mean it is of good quality fabrics.
Brands you use to love? Did you notice fabrics are compromised due to fast fashion competition?
Linen trousers a fabric that lasts years
Fabric Sustainability
Have you ever thought about how your clothes are being manufactured? Or do you care what types of plants and how many trees were cut just to produce the fabric of your luxurious clothes? As for me, I didn’t really realize the impacts of wardrobe choices until I watched the news about a wildfire that killed thousands of female cottonwood trees that produce cotton.
Hence, I researched how fabrics are manufactured and how clothes are designed and mass-produced. I found a very interesting topic.
I came across the bamboo fabric from brands like Bamboo Underwear. I was intrigued by the promising benefits of this fabric, including its breathability, durability, and superior comfort. So, I bought a bamboo bra and panty set. I can’t really tell the difference because bamboo underwear feels like cotton.
I like the idea that bamboo is a more superior quality fabric than cotton because it has fewer environmental impacts with a smaller carbon footprint. Because bamboo is one of the world’s fast-growing crops, it’s generally sustainable and eco-friendly.
Bamboo doesn’t rely on water, fertilizer, and pesticides to grow. In addition, this plant is naturally resistant to pests and infecting pathogens, which makes a perfect raw material for undergarments and even clothes.
Every Little Action Helps?
For every purchase ask yourself.
I am being very ruthless with myself regarding clothing purchases.
Do you need it?
Can you afford it?
Is it an item you will wear a few seasons and love?
My purchase power is in helping the environment. Like this dress from Uganda.
Sharing is caring. Why don’t you swap your clothes for a new hobby?
Sequin mask made out of fabrics used for a dress in the past
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