A Guide to Sustainability
Why Mindful Shopping is Important
92 million tons of textile waste is produced each year, and here in the USA we earn second place for the most waste produced in the world. Up to 100 billion new pieces are produced around the world each year, and only 1% of those 100 billion pieces are given new life. Who is responsible for all this waste and what can we do to prevent it? Well, surprising to no one, the rapidly growing fast fashion industry is responsible for a whopping 10% of all carbon dioxide emissions around the world, very directly affecting the climate change crisis. Yes, fast fashion has completely changed the industry, providing a new availability for much cheaper clothing to be purchased, items getting sent directly to the consumer, and social media’s new opportunity to directly impact trending fashion. However, the cost of that innovation is the decline of a healthy environment as well as the mistreatment of employees globally. So how do you avoid contributing to the problem if you don't have the money to buy new sustainable clothing?
Upcycling!
As a fashion major that was provided with sewing skills very early on in my degree, I was able to apply my knowledge to upcycling clothes in my own closet begging for a new life. This is something that everyone is able to learn, even on a small level. Say you love a new shirt you purchased online, but it didn't fit the way you wanted once it arrived in the mail. Instead of throwing it in the trash to end up in a landfill for 200+ years, learn a simple straight stitch on a sewing machine, turn your shirt inside out, trace where you would like it to fit to your body, and sew down that line! This is a quick and easy way to give your garments new life. If you're a fashion major and you have a sewing project coming up, instead of buying all new fabric from Joanne’s, simply use material from garments in your closet you don't wear anymore and give that piece new life! Finally, don't be afraid to play with new silhouettes, whether it be cropping a shirt that doesn't sit right, lengthening pants that are too short or vice versa, hemming a skirt that doesn't sit right, or even making a long sleeve a short sleeve for a new season of vice versa.
Thrift Thrift Thrift
Whether you're hunting for basics or statement pieces to set you apart from your friends on a budget, almost anything can be found at the thrift store. The practicality of buying used clothing for a fraction of the price of new clothing is incredibly convenient for students on a budget, and defeats the argument that purchasing from retailers such as shein is necessary for college students on a budget. Thrifting also offers the opportunity to build a wardrobe of quality pieces, as oftentimes the longer ago a garment was made, the higher quality it was made at in comparison to clothes being manufactured today. Finally, thrifting provides the opportunity to wear something “new” or different most days of the week, as you’ll be the only one that owns your thrifted pieces, and they offer styling opportunities that challenge fashionistas in a fun way each day. Thrifting is a fantastic way to spend less on clothes, stand out in fashion, and lessen the environmental footprint that fast fashion makes deeper each day.
P.S.
When thrifting, checking each section and spending the same amount of time choosing items as you would if it were to be triple the cost to avoid overconsumption of taking home things you don't really love or don't find yourself reaching for in the morning getting dressed.
Make the Most of your Closet
In the wise words of Vivienne Westwood, “Buy Less, Choose Well, Make it Last” is the number one key to a more sustainable lifestyle. Another great way to save money is to be very methodical when it comes to clothing purchases, and rather than overconsuming microtrends, thinking about if you truly love the pieces you buy before purchasing them and the quality of the pieces can also significantly improve the societal trend of overconsuming fashion. If you’d rather buy new than thrift but you find yourself inclined to spend money on fast fashion websites to save, choose one thing you really love off a website with better quality, business practices, or even functionality, and get that instead. Investing in items you see yourself getting wear out of for years to come is the best way to buy new, so that, when you invest and aren't actively buying new things to stay ahead of trend waves, you'll be able to build up a more minimal closet that you love rather than sorting through hundreds of cheap or outdated items. Then, once you love every piece in your closet and see it lasting until the next stage of your life, it will become a lot easier to make multiple outfits from the things you already own, and love each one!