Photography by Hermes Rivera
Did you know that Australia is now the world’s biggest consumer of textiles per capita, and we discard more than 300,000 tonnes of clothing every year? This means a huge cost to the planet, including excessive water consumption and high levels of pollution and waste, especially in landfill.
Photography by Ellie Cooper
Thankfully, behaviour is finally starting to change, with consumers shifting away from fast fashion and becoming more aware of what’s in their wardrobes, embracing second-hand and vintage finds, rental options, and buying from brands that focus on sustainability.
Being a conscious consumer means getting more life out of our possessions and making smarter choices at the register. Consuming sustainably while looking after our planet doesn’t have to be difficult or come at a high cost either – if anything, more considered fashion choices are far better for our bank balance over the longer term.
Here are 5 ways you can make the shift to slow fashion.
Photography by Nik Cde
SHOP SECOND-HAND
Find pre-loved, vintage and designer pieces at charity stores or via platforms like eBay, Depop or Facebook Marketplace, or explore brands like ASOS and H&M who are leaning into slow fashion with the introduction of their own online resale shops. Be sure to keep the cycle going and sell or donate your wares, giving items a new lease of life in someone else’s hands.
RENT AND BORROW
It can be tempting to have something brand new for every special occasion, but instead of buying something and wearing it once, rent your next outfit from online retailers like GlamCorner, All the Dresses, The Volte and Style Theory. You’ll also find accessories to rent too, like handbags, jewellery and hats. Alternatively, why not borrow items from friends and family.
Photography by Elio Santos
REPAIR AND CARE
Prolong the life of your clothes by refreshing or repairing first. Learning how to replace a button or zip or mend a hole or hem can be easy and will prevent you from spending your hard-earned money on new items unnecessarily. If you don’t have the time to repair yourself, then take clothes to an alteration shop to be fixed. If your clothes are pilling or bobbly, like jumpers and coats, use a fabric shaving machine to revive them. It also pays to take good care of your clothing too, so always follow the wash and care instructions to prolong life.
Photography by Joseph Sharp
SWAP AND SAVE
Clothing swaps are becoming increasingly popular across Australia, with people bringing gently used clothing items they no longer wear and exchanging them for items brought by others. This eco-friendly practice is not only a great way to give back to the environment and community, but you’ll go home with some new-found treasures. Head online to find a clothing swap near you.
Photography by Anna Savina
SMART INVESTMENTS
Buying high-quality, timeless pieces will give your wardrobe longevity through the seasons, instead of trend-led, cheap and unsustainable clothes that will look dated by next season. Opt for natural and organic fibres that will last years or even decades if you care for them properly, and support climate-focused brands that use recycled materials, like Patagonia.
Enjoy this complimentary magazine, and continue to feel inspired to find endless possibilities to enhance your own living.
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