How I Dress Sustainably

Am I writing this blog instead of writing an economic essay? Yep.

But in the nicest possible way to my economics teacher, I would much rather than be sharing what I can about sustainable fashion than regurgitating some babble about monetary policy.

Today, the day I’ve started writing this blog, is Black Friday, or what we like to call in my family ‘an American invention of consumerism'. I’ve been getting emails and Instagram updates all day about deals and discount; it makes me sad. We all talk about sustainable consumption and are aware that the planet is deteriorating around us, yet we jump at the opportunity to bag a bargain in the sales.

The fashion industry is incredibly destructive. Full stop. We consume clothes at a rate that has been unsustainable for years and yet when we’re told about the negative effects that the market is having, only a few of us try to change. We have become a throw away people. And I myself have been guilty of this in the past.

Let me give you some statistics:

• The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime fishing combined.

• The equivalent of one rubbish truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second.

• Up to 85% of textiles end up in landfill each year (enough to fill up Sydney Harbor annually).

• Producing polyester produces 2-3 times more carbon than producing cotton, and does not break down in the ocean.

• The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions.

If you want to know any more, Insider has a really great article here.

Here are the sustainable fashion tips that I live by:

1. Charity shopping

   I am a champion charity shopper and if you know the right places you’re guaranteed to find a bargain. Charity shopping is not only a more sustainable form of consumption, but you’re also supporting a good cause.

2. Buy/borrow clothes from friends and siblings and parents

   This is a cheap way to change up your clothes (unless you have a sibling like me that charges you £2 per day to wear their Animal jumper). Just make sure you ask someone before borrowing their clothes!

3. Buy second hand online- Depop, Vinted, Ebay

   This seems quite obvious but I know quite a few people that will go to some fast fashion brand for clothes rather than find a cheaper, second hand version on line. There are so many apps and websites out there, some of my favourites are linked above.

4. Buy good quality

   Clothes are an investment! The better the quality of the good you buy, the more likely it is to last. Higher prices also tend to come hand in hand with more sustainable materials, e.g. organic cotton, Econyl etc.

5. Support small, sustainable, local brands

   I could probably write an entire economics essay for this point. But basically, consumption of this sort involves less polluting production techniques, less shipping and better quality goods. So many more of these brands began popping up over the 2020 lockdowns, especially in the UK, so there’s a lot of option out there.

6. Find a friend that likes textiles

   Find a friend that likes to make clothes, accessories etc. and commission them to make some bits and pieces for you. It’s a cheaper option and you know how you’re clothes are being made.

7. Learn to sew

   If you learn to sew you can repair your clothes easily and may even end up learning to sew your own pieces. Making your clothes last longer is a brilliant way to save money and reduce your consumption.

8. Check your brand’s sustainability

   A lot of brands greenwash (the act of making false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product). Before you buy a product, make sure to do a bit of research: Where are the products being shipped from? Who is making them? What materials are used?

9. Clothes swap

   I know this sounds a bit weird but this is the cheapest way to update your wardrobe. Swap with anyone - friends, family, strangers. There are plenty of apps out there to facilitate this or you can even organise one yourself (my college holds them every few months).

Blouse and flare jeans from charity shop.

Blouse and jeans from charity shop.

Vintage Roxy trousers and vintage Puma jumper, my friends sunglasses.

Top, jeans and basket from charity shop, brother's jumper, friend's flipflops.

Wool jumper and jeans from charity shop.

Bikini (Urban Outfitters) from Vinted

But remember that any consumption is still consumption. All goods and services use resources, which for the most part are finite. So I’m not suggesting any ‘sustainable’ shopping sprees.

I mean, in all honesty, I do love my packs of pants and fluffy socks from Next or M&S. It’s all the little things that everyone does to help out that counts.

I hope you’ve found this helpful, or inspired you to make some changes.
Have a lovely festive season every one !x