I just watched Fashion’s Dirty Secrets, a documentary by Stacey Dooley’s which investigates how the fashion industry hugely impacts the environment – for anyone who hasn’t watch it yet, what are you waiting for?! Get the kettle on and prepare to feel guilty. This documentary has featured heavily in social media over the past few weeks, encouraging many watchers to ditch ‘fast fashion’ and rethink their latest shopping haul. After watching it, many of my friends actually vowed to only buy second hand for the rest of the year in an attempt to prevent her impacts. Could you make the pledge?
A few fast fashion facts:
Approximately 7,000 litres of water are needed to produce one pair of jeans (the amount of water one individual drinks in 5-6 years).
Compared to 16 years ago (2002), the average person buys 60% more clothing and keeps them for half as long.
Women wear a garment, on average, 7 times before throwing it away
This is such an important issue, one that is so often overlooked when considering climate change and environmental repercussions; many members of the public were surprised to learn that fashion industry is the 2nd largest polluter after oil. An interesting article in Nature, strengthened this point further – highlighting how when we change our behaviours to mitigate environmental changes we first consider travelling less or reducing our meat and dairy consumption. But what about fashion? In any area, adapting our lifestyles to reduce the effect of increased consumerism is key and so tackling the fashion industry is vital. The Telegraph reported in an article here, that the average Brit spends £1042 per year on clothes – is that not consumerism gone mad!?
Adapting our behaviours is one of the easiest things to do to making positive environmental change and adjusting our lifestyles in even the smallest way can mean that we, as the consumers, can take control over the fashion industry.
But ‘what can I do to help?!?’ I hear you cry…
1. Buy less!!!
2. Buy second hand/vintage clothing
3. Use apps such as Depop to buy/sell and reused unwanted clothes
4. Clothes swap with your friends and share your wardrobe!
5. Try to buy from sustainable brands
6. Think quality not quantity
The most important thing is to do your research. Try to educate yourself about what Fast Fashion is and how you are impacting the environment with your choices. Watching documentaries about the fashion industry such as ‘Fashion’s Dirty Secrets’ and the ‘True Cost’ are really eye opening and will make you think twice about buying more unnecessary clothing.
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