Goodbye fast fashion. Hello sustainability!
It seems like just yesterday everyone was rushing round to get the latest fast fashion purchases, now we are all about focusing on how what we wear is being made and how it is affecting the world we live in. Will this be the end of fast fashion with the roaring growth of sustainable brands?
One of the reasons as to why sustainability isn’t as popular as it should be is simply because we don’t know how to shop it. We don’t know what is is we are actually looking for, to be able to tell what pieces and brands aren’t mass producing excessive amounts. Putting together a list of how to be able to shop sustainably, it will help you what to look out for and how to improve how we look at fashion in our world today.
Get digging around the vintage
Not only is vintage shopping going to offer us guilt free purchases, it is also A LOT more cheap. There are so many different sources of vintage fashion you can get your hands on. Whether you are looking for your dream trench coat or an oversized blazer, you will be purchasing them at a fraction of the price. It is great to get your hands on pre-loved goods as they are carrying a story and travelled to now be in your hands. Vintage shops are growing more and more on our high streets, so you sure can find goods that suit to you.
Plastic on the label?
Fact of the day. Did you know that plastic has infiltrated our clothes in the form of fibers? Plastic is one of the biggest issues we have currently come face to face with on this planet, but we are becoming less and less aware of it. Forms of fibre are hard to avoid of course, like polyester, nylon etc. You will mostly find these in activewear. Some brands are becoming more aware of what is put in the fabrics of their products. Vyayama has jumped on the bandwagon of making their line sustainable using things like bamboo and all-natural materials that biodegrade, making their products better for the planet, not to mention your skin.
If you want to slowly help the change with your wardrobe, but can't afford the price tag, then you can purchased a washing sack called Guppyfriend. It acts as a filter for microfibers and prevents them escaping into the water supply.
Shop less, shop better
A capsule collection ring a bell? This use to be something we would eye roll at as we enjoyed the thought of buying a whole new wardrobe. But how many times have we looked at our wardrobe, despite spending loads on it, and still have nothing to wear?! If you invest in more pieces that are versatile then you are halfway there. Simple things like a basic white tee and mom jeans are two key pieces. They go with anything. Estimates suggest more than half of all clothing purchases are discarded in less than a year.
Upcycling is the way forward
As a consumer, you should have more thought into what you’re spending your every pound on. When the likes of stella McCartney and Swedish Stockings are using upcycling as the way forward for their brands, than you know this is a good market. This is one of the best ways to shop sustainably. Recreating the clothes you already have into something better is all the more exciting. There is a whole array of gorgeous material to choose from that is functional and beneficial to our planet.
Shop at fast fashion brands who commit to sustainability
Fast fashion has a long way to go before they go well and truly devoted to sustainability. However, it is impressive to see brands such as H&M and Marks & Spencers jumping on the bandwagon. Both of these brands have dedicated programs in place that promote clothes recycling and lessening the environmental impact of their offering. H&M is all about researching the new-age and using natural fabric alternatives that are kinder to the planet. Have you seen their Conscious range? If not, you have to.
Another great sustainable range is the Committed line by Mango. Is this the beginning of something great for the high street? We think so!
Written by Jordan Ellen Wood | @jordy_ellen