Sustainable Fashion - A Shift in our Values - Part 3

There are many ways in which everyday people can make sustainable and positive changes to their habits, and it all revolves around shifting our values.

Let’s consider, how long does an item of clothing keep its value? If you spend $20 on a fast sale item, compared to a $200 full price classic item, how differently will you treat those items to keep them in your wardrobe longer? Cheaply made clothes are more likely to lose their shape after one season, or fade and degrade after washing. Well-made clothes will keep for many years, and potentially a generation.

It’s time to create new social norms around sustainable fashion and finding a longer life in our clothes. Let’s break the stigma about re-wearing our clothes and rather then shame people, celebrate them. There are many ways you can change up the look of an outfit to make it look different. It is not sustainable to wear something once, then allow it to sit in your closet for years, then finally find its way into the op shop donation bin. Thinking back to the impact of social media on society to keep trendy, instead use your re-wear to promote sustainability, and encourage others to do the same. People making simple statements like this can start the process of cultural change, altering ‘norms’ of society.

If you have something you don’t want to wear again, maybe one of your friends loved it, and you could consider a swap, or loaning out outfits. Make a group chat with friends, where everyone can load photos of the outfits they would happily share. The clothes rental boom means that businesses can be found all over Australia, so potentially an outfit, suit or dress you are looking for can be rented rather than bought. There are also clothes swap businesses which allow customers to bring in resalable clothes for store credit.

How you treat and look after your clothes also influences how long they will last. A big tip, read those care instructions on the tag, they are there for a reason!! Unless your clothes are soiled, by sweat, dirt, stains, they do not need to be washed after being worn for one hour or even one day. Be kind to them, treat them with respect. Check out this article from Good on you on how to make your clothes last longer. They go into great detail about all the steps people can make to look after clothes.

When you are truly finished with a piece of clothing, and it does not have a second life in someone else’s wardrobe ask yourself, could the fabric be recycled and turned into something new?  Or have you loved it so thoroughly that now it may only be used for rags. Rags shouldn’t be thought of as wastage, some industries rely on rags, rather than using new fabrics they can utilise used fabric. Organisations such as Textile Recyclers Australia collect clothing for resale or reuse or recycle, they offer a service where they will collect clothing from your door, however it does come at a price. Arguably that price is for the benefit of the environment, and economy though, so worth it.

Final Thoughts

Making the shift to sustainable fashion, and ending fast fashion will be a global effort, and requires cooperation between consumers, manufacturers, and brands. Brands such as Boody are leaders in the industry, and proof that sustainable does not need to be small scale. As consumers lets support brands that are working to make our planet better, and denounce those who seek to pollute it for profit. Sustainable is the future, not just for fashion, but all industries which leave more than footprints. By simply changing our habits and being more aware of our fashion choices, every person can be a part of the change.