We constantly hear about the dangers of fast fashion. This details how people buy clothes on a whim and then discard them quickly. It is thought that fast fashion is responsible for 10% of all carbon emissions in the USA alone. There are several sustainable stores that you can purchase clothes from, however they can be expensive and inaccessible for some people. If you are wondering how to avoid fast fashion, here are some things you can do on a budget and from your own home.
Only Buy What You Need Or Love
When you peruse the shops or start scrolling online, ask yourself, am I going to keep this item for years to come? Can I see myself wearing it at least 40 times? If you can’t, then don’t buy it. That is, arguably, the easiest way to avoid fast fashion.
Of course, we will all need new clothes from time to time, so be sure you get something you really like and can see staying your wardrobe for the next five years, at least.
This isn’t to say you can’t treat yourself either, within reason. There is no need to buy a new outfit for every new event you have. But, if you haven’t updated your wardrobe for a year or so, you can definitely treat yourself with something you will keep for a while.
Upcycling
Upcycling is the art of taking the clothes you already have and changing them into something else. This is an easy way to get more life out of the clothes you have that may be boring to you or that don’t fit as the item they originally were.
You can cut the bottom of a top to make it into a crop top or snip some jeans into shorts for the hotter months. Or, if you want to be more creative, you could cut some shirts up and sew them into a patchwork blanket or jacket. The possibilities are endless and there are hundreds of tutorials online to help you out.
Related: How To Clean Out Your Closet
Mix & Match With Mates
There will have been times when you saw your friend in an outfit and thought, I wish I had that. Well, why not? Ask your friend if you can have a clothing swap just to jazz up both of your looks.
Instead of having to buy a whole new wardrobe, you can both benefit from a cheeky mix-and-match or swap. It could just be for a few months if you do not feel like you want to part with your clothes forever.
Donate
Researchers say that “around 11 million items of clothing go into landfills everyday in the UK”, which is way too high. To combat this, you can donate your unwanted clothes if they are in relatively good condition.
You can donate your clothes to charity shops by taking them directly or by putting them in a donation bin, usually found in shopping car parks. Simply search ‘clothing donation near me’ to find your nearest station.
