Recycling the Runway
Reduce. Recycle. Reuse.
Follow us on our series ‘Let’s Talk Recycling.’ Recycling is a large part of a sustainable future and something we can all take part in as a community.
Just recently, as I was thrift shopping for my son’s Halloween costume, I came across the most wonderful shiny bomber jacket from the 1970’s. I fell in love and purchased the $3 item immediately. After Ecosia’ing the jacket to see if they are still made (which they are not), I was very pleased with my new used jacket. I also managed to get my sons entire costume for less than $20. Bonus points, the suit can be used for fancy occasions.
Way, way, way back in the late 1900’s, as my son refers to my Gen X youthful times, thrift shopping was the way to find your favorite fashions on a 20 something year old budget. Imagine my surprise when I ran into two of my son’s friends thrifting for novel clothing. A McKinsey study has shown the new generations believe companies have a responsibility to address environmental and social issues. Social media has helped bring back the art of thrifting showcasing unique fashion finds. The industry is feeling the pressure to clean up its act.
Lyst a premium shopping app reported a 117% rise in consumer demand for recycled, upcycled, and resale clothing. These types of sustainable clothing practices are all a little different but, they are starting to become mainstream in the fashion industry.
- Recycled fashion converts waste material into something of roughly the same value. Zara, the world’s biggest clothing retailer, has just agreed to buy recycled polyester made from textile waste from Los Angeles based Ambercycle. Recycled textile can also help with the millions of tonnes of thrown out clothing waste. Girlfriend Collective, Patagonia, American Recycled Clothing, and Beyond Retro are a few of the top recycled brands.
- Upcycled fashion is transforming unwanted products and textile waste into something of high value. The artistic time put in on the unique pieces result in a higher price tag. A few of these upcycle fashion brands include GOAT Vintage Rework Collection, Fanfare, RE/DONE and STATEMENT.
- Resale fashion is the most sustainable option keeping clothing in use for as long as possible. It is thrifting in stores and now with some major platforms online. Thredup, The RealReal, and Poshmark are some online resale shops.
Luxury designers like Stella McCartney, Gabriela Hearst, Tom Ford, and the late iconic Dame Vivienne Isabel Westwood, who was a longtime human rights advocate and climate change activist, are reshaping fashion methods. These innovative designers create artisanal collections, luxury haute couture, and driven clothing designs that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. The luxury fashion house lovers of the world have many choices to admire and purchase.
Helping to minimize the environmental hazards contributed by the fashion industry by practicing more sustainable consumerism will help our 2050 net zero emissions goal. Be creative and innovative by simply joining the recycling, upcycled, and resale fashion initiative. You can look fashionable and unique while helping save the environment.
