Last year’s Coronavirus health pandemic pause caused me to examine how much I need to own. I’m examing myself by asking the specific question, are you helping to reduce fashion’s carbon footprint?
I’ll answer the question first. When I started blogging in 2013, little, did I know that I would catapult myself into purchasing so much fast fashion?
Please know I routinely purge with quarterly donations to Goodwill. In 2018, I mailed a box of gifted items to Uncommon Threads, an women’s empowerment boutique in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
To commit to buy less, to avoid temptation. I deleted my Zara App. No more fast fashion for me. As a blogger and fashionista, it’s easy to want to replicate fashions from the catwalk trends. Except these, mass productions represent cheap and poor-quality disposable clothing, usually made by people receiving low wages.
Years ago, when a domestic goddess with young children. I only shopped for pre-loved items from second-hand stores. I preferred to own a few great items instead of closets full of fast fashion. What happened?
I’m wearing a lemlem handwoven caftan. Accessories: Cult Gaia Big Bamboo Tote from 2018 with The Real Real Pre-Loved Prada Sandals.
So what’s wrong with fast fashion? In 2020 an estimated 18.6 million tons of clothing will end up in a landfill. According to a recent industry report, fashion waste costs the global economy more than $400 billion every year.
Stella McCartney’s winter 2017 collection modeling against the backdrop of a landfill site. Image credit: Harley Weir and Urs Fischer for Stella McCartney.
Many brands offer garment collecting/recycling to encourage guilt-free shopping. Interestingly, pre-loved sites like The Real Real don’t accept Zara or H & M fashions.
My commitment to helping to reduce fashion’s carbon footprint:
♦ Be a conscious shopper
◊ Recycle/Reuse/Donate excessive clothing I already own
♥ Purchase from eco-friendly brands
◊ Shop pre-loved sites and shops
♦ Pledge to shop my closets more
♣ Start a shopless movement
I already started my buy-less movement. This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I only purchased beauty items and candles, no fashions.
Does anyone else care to join me in this shopless journey? Do tell.
As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate you.
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