This post is not directly connected with slow travelling, but as a person who has a lot of consideration towards the environment, I decided to write today about the fashion industry and how I started paying attention to what I wear, ecologically wise.
I'm moving places quite often. Whenever I was trying to pack my luggage, there were always piles of clothes. I didn't even know that I was doing the 'Marie Kondo' method while I was putting all my clothes on the bed and trying to do something with them. As the luggage was always limited, I had to choose what I will leave behind me.
When your clothes are resting, very often unused, in drawers and hanging in the wardrobe waiting for the 'next time' or special occasion when you will finally wear them, it is hard to realize how many of them there are.
Carrying heavy luggage to another flat, city or even country wasn't my only concern. Over the years, I have become more and more conscious of how our lifestyle influences the environment. I started reading about the fashion industry and had little knowledge about the concept of fast-fashion, but never reflected on this issue deeper: I was already buying most of my clothes from second-hand shops, plus five or six pieces of new clothes a year won't change anything, right?
Then last year on Instagram I saw an advertisement for Slow Fashion Season. As that was connected to ecology and sustainability, I wanted to know more.
I joined a group action: together with 14,487 people across the globe, I committed to no new clothes for the following three months. I thought that because I rarely buy clothes this would be a super easy task. But then it came: sales. Flower dresses which make even a mannequin look great, summer shorts which would be perfect for the current hot weather, beautiful shirts, all of this exhibited in the shops’ windows, catching the attention of everyone who was passing by. The red labels screaming that they are 50% less, that they’re just 10, 5, 3 euro. Sounds like a great deal, right?
At that time, I was looking for a dress for my brother’s wedding. And I was wondering how I was going to find it if I made my commitment. I decided to not break, inspired by all the interesting materials provided by the Slow Fashion Season host, and searched for a perfect outfit in second-hand shops and flea markets. There I found a perfect match: one of the most beautiful items of clothing I ever had.
But my free will wasn’t everything. I think that if I hadn’t been subscribed for that action I would break. During those three months, I was following Slow Fashion Season tips and that helped me a lot to keep my commitment. I also learnt a lot. I thought that the fashion industry was just a small part of the problem with pollution, but it is the major polluting industry in the whole world. Producing new, fast-fashion clothes causes not only air pollution, caused by high emissions of CO2, but also water pollution, caused by chemical paint used in the garments.
We are getting more and more concerned about the environment while seeing pictures of the oceans and beaches polluted with plastic. Pictures of the land, often inhabited by people, totally covered by old clothes, are in the same way heartbreaking. Also, while buying 'cheap' (but also expensive, from well-known brands) clothes, we often contribute to child labour.
After these three months of strictly not buying anything, I think multiple times even before buying second-hand!
On the crowd action Slow Fashion Season page, we can read that: 'As a consumer, you have the power to change the industry for the better.' I strongly believe in the impact that we can make as individuals. Together, our actions can be more powerful. Your everyday choices do not cost you a lot, but they can significantly change the world we are living in, as they cost us all something that is priceless.
Join the Slow Fashion Season action HERE to make an impact. Even if you are just starting your journey to conscientious fashion choices, after signing up and following their Instagram profile, you will receive interesting tips about how to get more involved, lists of eye-opening movies and books, and much more. Last year the only rule was to not buy new clothes. This year, because of the global pandemic, buying clothes from local, sustainable brands is suggested to help them survive this crisis.
Clothes do not change our lives. They can make us feel a bit better for a moment but are not solving our issues. Why then buy them if they are causing big issues that affect us all? Choose wisely: for the environment, for people, including kids that are used as a cheap or even free labour force.
Our everyday choices make a big impact on the lives of others. Climate changes caused by the fashion industry can cause another pandemic.
Before you decide to buy anything from an unknown source, ask yourself if you need it and if there is no better, more sustainable, fairer source.
I very often hear that clothes are the way we can express ourselves, to tell people who we are. And I couldn't agree with this more! This season, join the slow-fashion crew to express not only your style but also your values.
Tips:
Slow Fashion can be cheap - you can reuse your clothes, swap them, or find some very original pieces in second-hand shops. Some of them, like Humana for example, are donating part of their profits to charity.
In Porto, there is a new online second-hand store, My.Cloma, where you can offer clothes you no longer use to be sold. The profit you can keep for yourself or donate to a chosen charity. And they will pick up the clothes from your house! Soon, the virtual store will be open!
To learn more about sustainable fashion I am following @iamjadesmart Her Instagram is full of information about sustainable fashion and she is also a host of Slow Fashion Porto.
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