Like it or not, the choices we make in
our lifetime can impact the world and people around us. Climate change and
even workers’ rights, are tied to our lifestyle choices in ways that you might
not even expect. If you want to make a difference in the world, a great place
to start is with your wardrobe. Fast fashion might bring us more affordable
clothes (and I’m as guilty as the next person), but it is gradually being exposed as a toxic industry that we
shouldn’t buy into; during your next shopping spree, you should consider
investing in brands that have a more ethical ethos and change their company
regulations to better the planet and those who work for them or buying more second hand clothing. Still not
convinced? Here are four reasons why your lifestyle choices really matter,
especially when it comes to your clothing purchases.
1. Small changes make a huge difference
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You might think that altering your own
lifestyle won’t make a significant impact, but this is far from the truth;
making changes, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in ways that
you might not expect. There are so many amazing clothing brands out there and
doing your research on them is a small but significant change you can make.
Avoid purchasing from brands that don’t have any environmental targets, or from
those still produce clothes in an unsustainable manner. Share your clothing
research with other people, telling them about your own favorite brands and
why you choose to invest in them – they might feel inspired to make changes for
themselves. That is one of the reasons I was so excited to partner with Aventura this year. They really try to produce their clothing sustainably.
2. You’re supporting workers’ rights
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It might surprise you to know thatmore than 46 million
people in the world are trapped in slavery and are being forced to work for
very low pay. Many big clothing companies contribute to this problem and
mistreat their workers at various points in the supply chain. And the problems
extend beyond a worker’s wage, as the harsh chemicals they use to create
cheaper clothes might have a negative impact on a person’s health. Companies
that care more about profit margins than human rights shouldn’t receive your
money, and boycotting these brands is an essential lifestyle change if you want
to become a more ethical shopper.
3. You need to reduce your carbon
footprint
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Climate change is getting worse and it
might surprise you to know that your shopping habits are only contributing to
the problem. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you need to be more
thoughtful about the clothes you invest in. Take a look at your wardrobe – how
many of the clothes have you actually taken the tags off? Clothing
manufacturers use a lot of energy to keep up with the supply and demand of the
fashion industry, only to produce clothes that never get worn. It’s far better
to buy items that you really need and will get a lot of wear out of. And for
the clothes that are in disrepair?75% of Britons say
they throw their garments away, but you should always donate them instead of
sending them straight to landfill.
4. The way you’re living might not be
sustainable
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The fast fashion industry is on an
unsustainable trajectory and we’re only contributing to the problem. A lot of
clothes are composed of inorganic materials like polyester, which will take
years to biodegrade and only take up space in the tip. Where
possible, you should buy clothes that are made from organic materials such as
cotton – ASOS is one such brand that makes sustainable shopping easier, as34% of all fibers
used in their clothing come from sustainable sources.
Obviously it’s hard to go completely clean and buy everything from sustainable and ethical sources. But try to educate yourself and make small changes. They can make a big difference! Trying thrifting whether locally or online at places like Poshmark, Swap.com, or thredUp can also help to reduce your carbon footprint. And purchasing more versatile items so you don’t feel you need a new outfit each time you go out helps, too! When you decide something is no longer right for you, donate or recycle it. Don’t throw it out. Every little bit helps!
