So how bad is our current state of affairs when it comes to our need for fashion and our throwaway culture? Well, we get through a LOT of textiles, according to recent studies, as a society the world throws away an average of 92 million tonnes of textile waste. And by 2030 this number is expected to increase to 134 million tonnes.
This is the problem with our fast fashion lifestyle, it is by far one of the largest polluters in the world, so this means that now more than ever it’s crucial for us to extend the life of our clothing.
Here are some tips for how you can do just that:
Invest in quality
As Vivienne Westwood was once quoted as saying, ‘Buy Less Choose Well’. Cheap clothing is often made fast, and with much lower-quality materials that won’t last as long as more expensive items. Although we don’t all have big budgets, if we bought better and much less often we’d probably spend less in the long run. It isn’t necessary to but a different outfit for every event, perhaps along with choosing better we also need to rethink our buying habits.
Proper care
Don’t forget to take care of your clothing, love then and follow the washing instructions properly, always avoid using harsh detergents and consider using eco-friendly laundry products.
Repair, reuse and reduce!
In the throwaway world we live in its all too easy to just discard damaged clothing. But it may be worth considering repairing it, it could be as simple as sewing a torn hem or patching a hole. Simple hacks like these can extend the life of your clothing and avoid waste.
Rotate your wardrobe
Instead of wearing the same items repeatedly, mix and match different pieces, so you don’t wear them out too quickly. Also I find that it’s so easy to forget what’s at the back of your wardrobe which could mean you buying a brand new piece when you already have something similar at home.
By following these simple hacks, you can extend the life of your clothing and reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
