2nd Hand Clothes
a Sustainable Choice… Many people are turning to second-hand clothing as a result. So, what’s all the fuss about? The term ‘fast fashion’ describes the production of cheap Louise sporting a very fashionable 2nd Hand Desigual Coat
clothing which is designed to have a short life span and be discarded as styles move on very quickly, but who doesn’t love a bargain in a high street store right? It’s interesting to discover that according to Business Insider the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions which we all know are contributing to climate change problems which will change our very shoreline if we don’t take action. Also, 1.5 trillion litres of water are used by this industry annually and the output
As an avid crafter and consequential watcher
of their manufacturing processes often cause
of the likes of The Great British Sewing Bee, I
serious pollution to land or water sources.
have been both fascinated and galled by the throw away (pardon the totally intentional
So, what can we as individuals do about these
pun) comments of presenter Patrick Grant. In
issues? There are a couple of strategies that
the most recent series, during ‘reduce, reuse,
people are turning to. One is designing a small
recycle’ week, Patrick nonchalantly announced
capsule wardrobe of good quality items that
that a ‘shocking million tonnes’ of clothing are
are timeless in design and will have a long life
thrown away EVERY YEAR in the UK alone!
span. There are many online shops that sell
Last year Patrick said there is enough clothing
items made from recycled fabric items or
currently in circulation, world-wide to clothe
clothes made from the off-cuts from other
the next half- dozen or so, generations. If that
fashion manufacturers.
is indeed the case – that is astonishing and it’s time to stop producing any more throw away
Another option is to choose to stop buying
fashion and that’s just for starters!!! Mindful of
clothing until all the items you have are
this ridiculous situation – I asked Louise Carson
completely worn out. The problem is then
of Journey to Zero waste to put together an
what to do when your tops are holy, all your
article on the subject. Here is the very well
jeans have been converted into shorts and
thought out result…
your work clothes just are no longer fit to be seen in. You can only mend things so many
We are all hearing about climate change and
times, particularly if like me your sewing skills
living more sustainable lives regularly now.
leave a little to be desired.
38 | www.thejerseylife.co.uk
