Fast fashion is a trend in which low-cost clothing companies copy luxury or higher quality brand’s designs and make their own with cheaper materials and unsustainable methods. This trend has led to consumers quickly discarding the clothing after one or two wears, which has led to average person in America disposing of 80 pounds of clothing every year. Fast fashion gives consumers the idea that their purchases are disposable since they are so cheap. But this is not the case. These cheap garments are simply put in the bin and thrown away without a second thought. But they have to go somewhere. 85% of textile waste in the US is sent to landfills which is incinerated, emitting large amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. Is this a sustainable approach to clothing and fashion?
Fortunately, consumers are starting to wake up and are realising the devastating impacts fast fashion and overconsumption have on our environment. But we still have a long way to go, and big changes need to be made to make fashion more sustainable.
One of the best ways to be a more sustainable consumer is buying less and wearing more. Buy good quality clothes you really like and know you will wear many times. Buying good quality clothes may be more expensive initially, but they will last longer. If your items become slightly damaged, try to repair instead of discarding or buying again straight away. This is commonly overlooked as a sustainable approach, but it can be one of the easiest.
Lastly, the sustainable method that is closest to our heart, buy PRELOVED clothes! Preloved clothes and accessories offer the consumer a chance to buy high quality and luxury brands at a much more affordable price. These items being re-loved means less materials used, less production and pollution, and less overconsumption. Cheaper prices and a very sustainable way of purchasing fashionable items, what more could you want?!
Do your bit to become a more sensible and sustainable shopper, the life of our planet depends on it!
