If you haven’t had a chance to watch Hasan Minhaj’s “Patriot Act”, in the episode The Ugly Truth Of Fast Fashion here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGF3ObOBbac
As you have seen in the video, average Americans purchase 68 new articles of clothing a year. Minhaj perfectly describes the consumerism of fast fashion, “we want the feeling of luxury, just not the full price”.
Closer to the end of the video we learn the sad fact that dumps are filled with clothes- using up numerous natural resources, we are using more plastic and oil, releasing more greenhouse gases, keeping terrible working conditions running.
We all need to step out of the fast fashion headspace and into renewable and greener methods of acquiring something new to wear. Reuse clothing and keep your clothes for longer than a year.
So let’s go thrift shopping! Hit up the Value Villages, GoodWills, and locally owned second-hand stores. “Purchasing one used item within a year, it could save six pounds of CO2 emissions”, KRON 4 news.
Purchase some second-hand clothes to save money and the planet.
You can customize your clothes to match your uniqueness. I used a seam ripper to shred my jeans to a level that I love. Add pins to your jackets, paint your clothes, and tailor used dresses to fit your beautiful curves. Doing this your Instagram will be popping with fits that no one else will have.
Wear your clothes for “at least nine months longer to reduce your carbon footprint by 30%”, KRON 4 news.
Minhaj shared that one important component to cementing the fast fashion mindset, Instagram! In order to display wealth we need to present a new outfit in every post. Promoting the need for new clothing and designs. We made this a reality, so we can change it!
Mix and match clothing items and make new fits. Swap clothes with your friends and family. Wear a jacket as a dress or accessory- redefine the use of these clothes.
WE can redefine thrift shopping to make it look better than fast fashion!
I got my overalls and boots from thrift stores! Honestly, it’s gratifying to obtain a one-of-a-kind article of clothing. Try it out, babes!