Slow Fashion, Festive Edition
Throughout the year we are bombarded with trends and products we ‘need’. Often there’s a calm spell, and then a a rush to over-produce and over-consume which can be difficult to avoid. We’ve had the change in seasons which brings it’s own changes in fashion trends, the increase in churning out new clothes, and more recently we’ve had black Friday. Next on the agenda is the festive season and New Year will soon follow. It’s a time of celebrations, dressing up, sequins and festive jumpers.
The jumper photographed above is from a shop called Blue Rinse Vintage, an awesome shop my sister and I stumbled across in Manchester. All clothes are vintage, remade, reworked or made from recycled clothing! I wouldn’t say this jumper shouts Christmas but it’s probably the most festive-like one that I own and I love that wearing it makes me think of our trip and this lovely shop.
“1.7 MILLION sequinned items are binned after the Christmas party season but won’t ever biodegrade.”
I found out that when returning clothing bought online, the transportation impacts are doubled and more surprisingly, returned garments are often unable to be resold. As a result, “84% of returned garments end up in landfill” - EPA
There are ways we can be more conscious this Christmas and all year round; to support local, think about who made our clothes, purchase from brands who pay their workers living wage, and reflect on what environmental impact we are making.
Alternatives to buying new garments this Christmas:
Borrow from a friend.
Re-wear an outfit you already have. There’s a reason why you bought it at the time, and if you’re worried about what people will think of you wearing it again chances are they don’t even remember. Do you remember what everyone wore to a party a year or more ago? Show your clothes some love, re-wear and appreciate that someone somewhere made it to be worn.
Repair - If there’s a missing button, a fraying seam, see if you can repair the item and extend it’s life before throwing it away.
Shop secondhand, there’s some fab outfits at charity shops or online in places like Depop.
Can’t find anything in the charity shops, your friends aren’t the same size, or you don’t have something suitable, don’t worry! Look for an independent brand or try to shop locally and not online to support the local high street.
I bought this dress in 2015 from New Look, it was probably quite cheap, it’s made of polyester, nylon, metallic fibres and elastane, and something I wouldn’t buy brand new these days. Some people might not want to be seen wearing the same outfit year after year, or even in the same week and we need to change this mindset (plus that’s what a washing machine is for!). If we take care of our clothes, repair them if they need a little extra love and proudly repeat outfits, then we are helping the planet and appreciating the people who made our clothes.
If there’s no option but to buy a new garment, then ask yourself a few questions before making the purchase to make sure it’s one that’s worthwhile:
Can it be worn with other clothes I already own?
Will I wear it at least 30 times?
Do I already own something like this?
How long will it last?
We can be more mindful of what we are purchasing and remember that everything we buy is a vote for the kind of brands and businesses we want to support.