I
have come to realise that there is a huge waste of resources in the worldwide
clothes industry. So much fashion is almost disposable because it is cheap,
specific and easily replaced. Fads in fashion create a need for a large
turnover of garments and cheap clothes shops make this possible.
Unbelievably
you read about people who buy clothes and put them away in the bags and never
wear them. They are generally people who are addicted to shopping, but this
gross waste is not just caused by consumers with an issue. I recently read of
shops in France that throw away clothes they cannot sell. With people all over the
world who have little or no clothes, this is a huge waste. It does make you
wonder if this happens in other countries too. Do charity shops not exist in
France?
Of
course the waste is not just in the garments themselves, but the resources used
to manufacture the material and, subsequently the clothes the material is made
into. It takes an incredible amount of water to produce cotton, for example, I
only found this out last year. How did I not know this? I also wonder just how
much waste there is from manufacturing of material through to the shop floor and
beyond.
Of
course there are many controversies surrounding the world of clothes and
fashion, including child labour and anorexic models, but this piece is about the
diabolical waste of resources and ways we can personally do something.
I
was totally horrified to read criticism of the Duchess of Cambridge for wearing
a dress to Harry’s wedding which she had worn twice before. I think it is fabulous for people in the
public eye to lead by example and keep wearing something because it looks good
or they like it. With certain aspects of the media having such a ridiculous attitude
to clothes, no wonder there is an issue.
I
am still wearing things I bought 6 or 7 years ago. They may have had times
where they have sat in a box in the wardrobe when I was heavier, but I can wear
them again.
There
are, of course, ways we can help stem the tide of clothes going to the dump or
being bought and discarded in the bottom of a wardrobe.
·
We
can think carefully before we buy .... will we wear it?
·
We
can buy from a sustainable clothes range.
·
We
can buy second hand clothes.
·
We
can give clothes away.
·
We
can swap with friends.
·
We
can up-cycle and alter clothes.
Personally
I buy mainly second hand because I hate mainstream shopping, all the racks of garments
can be quite overwhelming. Even though I buy second hand I will say that over the
last few years I have bought too many clothes. This is partly to do with my
weight changes and partly to do with going into the charity shops too often. Now
that I have lost 38 pounds, I have given away loads of clothes to friends or to
charity. I am now being more discerning about what I buy and really thinking about
it before making a purchase.
I
recently decided, after always thinking I was horrific at sewing, that I would give
it a go. I have clothes that need altering to fit and decided to buy a sewing
machine in the sale and try. I do have a bit of a Russian roulette approach
to sewing. It will either work or not. So far I have taken in two dresses and
both have been successful.
I
also want to try up-cycling. Basically you can change and customise clothes to be whatever you want. I have, for example, a dress which does not suit
me, I am too old for a handkerchief hem....... it just looks wrong. I do like the
fabric so I am going to make it into a top. I do not know how successful it will
be, but I can try.
Despite
needing to buy new material to do it, I am going to try my hand at dressmaking. too. If I don’t make garments from scratch too often it will not be too wasteful and
it will be a good skill to have. I think it could also be useful to use parts of
a dressmaking pattern when up-cycling or altering clothes. So often I will see
a dress, for example, that is made of a gorgeous material but is too big. With
sewing skills I can re use the material to create something different. I am
also looking out for decent material in second hand shops too.
So
as not to waste the leftover material from altering and dressmaking, I am planning
to make fabric gift bags. This will save money, save resources and be a nice way
to present a gift. Also, the recipient can either re-use the gift bag or use it
for something else. I am even thinking that smaller off cuts can be made into
patchwork gift bags.
Not
everyone has the time to learn a useful skill such as sewing, but I have and I
am giving it a go. I do feel passionately that we waste an incredible amount of
resources on things that are not necessary. No one needs a new outfit every
week, no one should have so many clothes that they do not know what they have
and spending money on yet another disposable fashion item is pointless. Shop
carefully, buy second hand and be aware.
Once I have altered a few more pieces, I will do a blog piece highlighting what I have done.
Any comments to: saraorange69@gmail.com
