Living Better Newsletter | Issue #3 Second Hand Fashion
New to you, the problem with thrift shopping & fast fashion brands to avoid
I wanted try out a different format for this newsletter, and go into more of a deep dive on a specific topic. As always, I'd love to know what you think, so please do reach out. Seriously.
I wanted to acknowledge that it has been a few weeks since my last update here. I needed to concentrate on my own physical and mental health, and I’m happy to admit that in public, as that is what I’d encourage each and every one of you to do when you feel it is necessary.
The fashion industry is responsible for a mind-blowing 10 per cent of annual global carbon emissions. A staggering 100 billion items of clothing are made every year. Each item is worn an average of only 5 times before being discarded. As a result, 13 million items of clothing ends up in landfill in the UK alone. Every. Single. Week.
So we should all be swapping and thrift shopping, right?
It's easy to argue the case for second hand shopping, given the reduction in demand for new clothing and the social and environmental impacts of that. Extending an item's wear life by nine months reduces carbon, water and waste footprints by around 20-30 per cent per garment, according to the Waste Resources Action Programme. That's not to be scoffed at!
Check out this article on how to become a Better Second-Hand Shopper.
It's worth noting that thrift shopping is not without its own share of problems. The increased interest in thrift shopping have led to questions as to whether those of us who don't need access to the lower costs associated with thrift shopping are contributing to gentrification.
Over the last decade, "the same wealthy class that sneered at poorer people buying from thrift shops have now moved in, bought all the good clothes, and are sneering that poorer people are being ‘unsustainable’."
That is not to say that those with a little more disposable income shouldn't have access to thift shopping at all. Like everything, the problem comes when we consume too much from these avenues (or any for that matter).
Let's not forget that with the rise of platforms like Depop for selling second hand clothing, outifts can have an ever shorter lifespan in some people's closets. Comforted by the idea that someone else will be willing to buy their items, it can be argued to legitimise the desire of some to shop even more. Melissa Watt recently wrote a great article on how online resale inadvertently fuels disposable fashion.
Second Hand September
This month is Second Hand September: a 30 day challenge where participants strive to buy nothing new. Of course, this is deigned to be a jumping-off point. In the interests of people and planet, we should all be shopping second hand more. Every month should be Second Hand September. But this is a fun challenge and a great place to start.
Personally, one thing I have found to be amazing to keep my wardrobe feeling fresh with little impact to the earth or my wallet is attending clothing swaps. They're a great option that anyone can take part in. I have made some incredible 'new to me' finds at these in the last few years.
I recently wrote about how to run your own clothing swap. Check that article out here.
Reading List
And Remember...
"The customer has to know that they’re in charge. Without them, we don’t have jobs... If you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy into it." Stella McCartney
Stay in Touch
And as always, I really do encourage you to reach out if you have any comments or feedback. And let me know if there's anything specific you think I should cover in this newsletter.
Please do drop me a line on Twitter, or an email to fran[at]francresswell[dot]com.
Have an awesome week,
Fran
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