Climate Local Now: Rethinking Sustainable Fashion | East End Beacon

by Marina DeLuca

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite activities was playing dress-up. I loved the artistry of combining textures, colors, shapes, and patterns to create a wearable masterpiece. As an adult, this love persisted and evolved into curating the perfect wardrobe. I found the same opportunity for creative expression through shopping. Only now, playing dress-up was accompanied by a guilty, gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach caused by the knowledge of the effects the garment industry had on the planet:

• 93 billion cubic meters of water (enough to meet the consumption needs of 5 billion people)
•10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
• 500,000 tons of microplastics poured into the ocean (equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles)

And that is just the beginning. I could no longer sustain my love for fashion because the artistic pursuit that I loved was harming the planet that I cherish even more.

Throughout my life, I have joyously watched as environmental education has become more available to consumers than ever before. We have become better informed and more discerning in our purchasing power. While this shift has led to extensive change, we still have a long way to go. Consumer pressure has driven the fashion industry to become more environmentally conscious, promoting options like “vegan” leather and recycled fibers as better alternatives. While these options seem appealing to conscientious consumers, “vegan” leather is simply rebranded plastic, likely lasting ten years at best, whereas real leather can endure for generations. Many sustainable or recycled fibers still contribute heavily to microplastic pollution. Even natural fibers such as cotton have numerous repercussions, including excessive water and pesticide usage.

I have learned that humans have an environmental impact on the planet – there is no avoiding it. Weighing the repercussions of plastic pollution, petroleum extraction, and the short lifespan of vegan leather against the water usage and slaughtering of cattle for leather may be a futile exercise, ultimately determined by individual morality and values rather than scientific data.

That being the case, when it comes to our wardrobe, the goal is not to have zero impact on the planet; our goal as consumers is to minimize our impact. This can be much easier to accomplish than you think, but it does require us to reframe how we shop. The following strategies can help you become a more sustainable shopper. Be mindful that every little action truly makes a difference – change is a process and results do not appear overnight

6 Tips for Building a Sustainable Wardrobe

1. Understand YOUR Style: Learn what colors, styles, and cuts make you feel and look your best. An easy way to do this is by finding your most flattering pair of jeans and your favorite shirt and looking for more items that have a similar cut or style. When you have established what makes you look your best, fashion becomes a process of making clothing work for you – instead of you working for the latest trend.

2. Intentional Shopping: 

Once you have a basic framework of your personal style, it becomes easier to be intentional about your purchases. The simplest way to be a more intentional shopper is to ask yourself, “Do I need it?” You can also save the item in an online cart and see if you are still thinking about it a week later. If it is long forgotten or the answer is no, you have just saved your wallet and the planet.

3. Durability Over Everything: 

Longevity is the most sustainable characteristic of clothing. Items that last longer will lead you to buy less, which is the key aspect of living more sustainably. However, just because an item costs more or is designer does not guarantee longevity. Pay attention to the type of fabric, texture, and stitching to determine durability.

4. Shop Your Closet First: 

Have you ever loved a shirt so much that you wore it all the time and then got tired of it? Instead of getting rid of it when you are bored with your clothes, place some items in storage. Revisit these items in a few years before your next shopping trip—many items will have regained their original sparkle.

5. Reuse and Redo: 

Find pre-existing items through thrifting, yard sales, or items discarded by friends and family. If you enjoy the creativity of clothing design, consider “thrift flipping,” which involves redesigning a garment to fit your present style. This process may involve a good relationship with a tailor or learning to use a sewing machine, however, it can be a great way to incorporate your creativity through a sustainable lens.

6. Handle With Care: 

Wash your clothes with care (opt for the delicate cycle), and I always recommend air or hang-drying them. These simple practices can reduce wear and tear on your clothing, thus extending each item’s lifespan.

These simple steps can help you become a more sustainable shopper without sacrificing looking and feeling good in your wardrobe. These practices helped restore my love of dress-up as an adult without abandoning my environmental consciousness.

To Learn More, visit Climate Change Resources at: climatechangeresources.org/take-action/shopping/clothing-fashion or Regeneration at regeneration.org/nexus/clothing

Marina DeLuca grew up on the North Fork of Long Island. She is a graduate of Union College where she completed a double major in Biology and Music. She is an Environmental Associate with The Group for the East End, specializing in osprey conservation, land use advocacy, and dark sky preservation. Marina is also a professional singer-songwriter and lifelong fashion enthusiast.

Climate Local Now is a partnership between the East End Beacon and leaders of a grass-roots group inspired by the science of Project Drawdown to advance local climate solutions.

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