Your ethical wardrobe.

We can all be offenders of indulging in fast fashion and micro trends. Shopping at certain chain stores that we know do not have the best track record with transparency on the impact of their systems, on the environment, and the treatment of their employees.

Let’s do better.

To become a responsible purchaser, every item we purchase should undergo a few personal checks, just as we would often quickly undergo in the supermarket with our food. We are often interested where a food item is grown and made. We often want to eat more natural foods and have more natural materials within our home. But what about on our bodies?!
Just like with food, what we wear has a damning result on our environment.

How do we own an ethical wardrobe?

We need to ask ourselves, where is this item from? Is this a place known for safe and fair working conditions and practices or more so for exploiting workers? Using children, forced labor or abuse is exploitative.

How do we own a sustainable wardrobe?

We need to ask ourselves does the company you are purchasing off practice environmentally safe practices. What is the garment made of? Do they use natural fibers? Is the company transparent about their production chain.

Where do we begin with our research?

There are some well-known fast fashion industries that are known not to practice fair working conditions. A quick google search will ascertain which companies these are. As tempting as it can be, staying away from cheap, fast fashion and micro trends will greatly help our planet.

The UN estimates that the multi-trillion-dollar fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of the worlds greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. That figure is due to increase if we continue the way we are.

Everything matters, from the raw material creation, to processing, manufacturing, and finally to wearing and caring for a garment and how we get rid of it.

The most sustainable clothes are in our wardrobe! But if we do want new?
Try buying more long-lasting items, such as organic cotton and linen opposed to polyester and nylon which are petroleum based and take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

Luckily, I’m a hoarder, so I had some items I prepared earlier for this current 90s fashion momentum. Reusing and repairing what you already own is one of the main ways we can reduce clothing waste. Mixing up our existing wardrobe with our forgotten pieces takes time but can be super fun and worthwhile. Something I have been exploring is shopping in my own wardrobe! A

Recycle, Rent, Reuse.

The fashion industry not only uses an excessive use of materials, but water too. Dying processes like fabric dying denims use a lot of water. When we wash our polyester clothes thousands of microfibers end up in the ocean. Some companies purposefully are deceitful in their disclosure of production chains. The term greenwashing can be used in this deceit.

Try staying away from polyester, and materials equally as damaging. Go small, go sustainable, support kiwi business where you can. Stay away from super cheap clothing, because sadly to make that item, someone often a child has been exploited.

Giving in to this desire to keep up with every micro trend can be exhausting and devastating for the environment. Let’s focus on supporting the mass consumerism revolution, LESS.
“Excess is in. Buy this, buy that, you will be cooler. When you get sad, add to cart. “

No, do not add to cart! Look in your already existing wardrobe, you probably have an item pretty close to what you are looking for in there.

Fast fashion is BIG business. The biggest of all. This never-ending cycle of trends is designed to take advantage of you, the purchaser.

The luxury brands kick it off with the season’s trends in Paris, Milan and New York. I can’t help but adore every new look. Often these couture items are hand made with care, however, must have trends of fashion week soon trickle down to most fast fashion (affordable) producers. I know, fashion is cool! Its escapism, a treat, instant gratification, but there are an estimated 40 million garment workers globally, Unfortunately, the majority of garment workers are women and girls, often trapped in cycle of poverty. Let’s think about that before we insist on our third different style denim jacket.

Most importantly, get the kids to research. Educate your children about natural fibers, about exploitation. About dishonesty within industries that they might look up to. Teach them about the value of an item and bulk washing. Teach and inspire them that nothing is worth wearing that has been made by abusing the planet or humans’ rights.

Let’s get shopping! In our wardrobes, or friends, or mine, ONLINE NOW!
www.stylebysummer.co.nz

Summer X