Photo Source: https://www.vogue.mx/articulo/dua-lipa-met-gala-2023
Pictured here is Dua Lipa at the 2023 Met Gala in archival Chanel. From last year’s styles to decades old, iconic looks, it is becoming more and more common for celebrities and influencers to attend events wearing archival, vintage, and upcycled luxury pieces from design houses such as Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, and Chanel. Beyond the obvious, timeless appeal of these outfits, concerns over the massive, negative impact that the fashion industry has on the environment are leading many influential individuals and brands to look back into the archive more often.
The fashion industry has a lot to answer for when it comes to its environmental impact. This industry is responsible for the consumption of up to around 50 trillion gallons of water each year (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02914-2), and is a large greenhouse gas emitter. This environmental impact can be minimized by wearing archival or vintage pieces, supporting indigenous designers and stylists, having designers upcycle older looks or source more sustainable fabrics, and normalizing clothing rental. Coachtopia™ is a good example of how a luxury brand is innovating by using youthful voices in the media to market its new line of products made from material that was previously labeled ‘waste.’ However, most people cannot afford to support luxury brands, and it is often argued that cheap, fast fashion is the largest contributor to the industry’s unsustainability.
There is more than enough existing clothing on our planet to fully dress everyone in the world, all 8 billion of us, many times over. It should be clearly evident that no new textile needs to be or should be created ever again. Instead, the recycling of textiles could and should become the main trade of the textiles industry, which would be a sustainable way to protect the involved economies. There is no logical reason for the projected 100 million tonnes of (supposedly new) annual clothing consumption in 2030 to become a reality, especially when much of this fiber, textile, and clothing is produced by individuals in the Global South who are not adequately compensated for their work in often unsafe and unhealthy environments (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02914-2). However, within an industry that relies on a high rate of consumer consumption, the power to initiate and support tangible change lies with us. Below are just a few easy practices that you can incorporate into your life that contribute to the creation of a more sustainable fashion industry.
- Wear what you have for as long as you can. If a piece no longer fits your body or your vibe, sell it, donate it to a charity shop, or give it to family and friends. If the piece has reached the end of its life, or if it is something that someone else might not wear, then recycle it. After washing everything, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Poshmark, The RealReal, ThredUp, and Depop are amazing options for donating or selling previously loved pieces. When it comes to recycling textiles, here are some good resources: Chicago Textile Recycling, GreenDrop Clothing Drop Off Locations, and SWALCO.
- Thrift or bust. I cannot stress enough how important, fun, and sustainable thrifting is. A majority of my wardrobe has been thrifted, including all of my favorite pieces (and recently my graduation dress). There is no better way to find unique clothing that is true to your style, and some great places to start thrifting in-person or online are listed above. Additionally, there are many, many vintage (elevated thrifting) stores around, all you need to do is type “vintage” into any online mapping application.Vintage shopping is usually more expensive than thrifting, but still just as fun if it is within your budget.
- Normalize renting. For prom, weddings, parties, galas, graduations, and every special occasion in-between, consider renting your outfit or borrowing it from a friend. I know and appreciate how important the right look can be for an event. However, as a fellow environmentalist, I also know and appreciate how important it is to avoid purchasing an amazing look that you may only wear once. Below are some good resources for renting or for information about it.
- Research. Borrowing, thrifting, or renting should come before buying new… at least when it comes to fast fashion. However, some brands are doing incredible, sustainable work. Plus, let’s be realistic, some essentials are not necessarily sold at thrift stores. So, when purchasing those items, make sure that you do your research first to make sure the company that you choose to purchase from is making its products and profits in a sustainable and ethical manner.
Whether your style is a careful, Pinterest-inspired creation or a simple collection of basics, sourcing your clothing sustainably is one of the most important and least life-altering ways to contribute to the development of a global, circular economy. From a-list celebrity events to your closet, fashion is an essential tool that can and should be used for change.
