Lately, you may have noticed a bit of a change in the attitude of style and fashion conscious individuals.

Instead of wanting to follow trends and fashions, many are creating their own individual looks and making the most of their shapes with clothes that suit and flatter their figure.

This rise in the desire to be individual and unique is a combination of a number of factors including the economy and environmental concerns. But what has looking individual got to do with sustainable style?

As people develop their own individual style, they become less trend driven and do not feel that they have to change their wardrobe every season to keep up with the latest fashion.

It is this constant wardrobe updating with cheaply produced clothing that is referred to as ‘fast fashion’.

The problem with ‘fast fashion’

‘Fast fashion’ has led to the huge amount of textile waste being thrown into landfill each year. There have been many reports of unethical treatment of workers in the manufacture of ‘fast fashion’.

In addition, many of the low cost ‘fast fashion’ is made from synthetic fabrics using unsustainable petrochemicals or cotton grown with the use of environmentally damaging pesticides.

Basically, all of the environmental impacts associated with clothing manufacture are exasperated by the ‘fast fashion’ phenomena.

In February, at London Fashion week, the government announced it’s sustainable clothing action plan aimed at reducing landfill and other environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

Individual and sustainable style

You can develop your own unique individual and sustainable style by thinking carefully about every item that you add to your wardrobe.

Think about your own style and look for clothes that suit your shape, colouring, lifestyle and personality. You can also consider the following points when looking for clothes to compliment your unique style:

• Look for well made clothes that will last. Quality clothes may cost a bit more in the first place but they will save you money in the long run as they will last for years to come. Choose classic styles that suit you and will not go out of fashion.
• Look for clothes made from organic cotton and other organic alternatives and where possible choose natural fabrics. These clothes will look better and feel better.
• Consider clothes made from recycled materials – there are plenty of innovative designers now using recycled fabrics so no need to miss out on your designer clothes fix. These clothes are also a great way to be individual as each piece is usually unique.
• Look for second hand clothes. This is a great way to save money and still get quality, well made clothes. There are plenty of places to find second hand clothes and lots of choice.
• Try clothes swapping – this is a great way of trying out a new look without spending any money. You can also refresh your wardrobe and replace any clothes that you do not want either by holding a ’swishing’ party with friends or using a clothes swapping website.

Written by Ceri Heathcote of Posh-swaps.com
Posh-swaps.com is a brand new website that allows you to swap, buy and sell second hand and recycled reworked clothes for free. Ceri also writes for the Posh Swaps Blog which celebrates unique and individual style through second hand and recycled clothing.

On the subject of swapping (see Monday’s article ‘Read it. Swap it. MagCycle it!‘) here’s another idea to save money and avoid sending stuff to landfill.

Big Wardrobe is the place to swap clothes you don’t wear – because you don’t like them or they don’t fit anymore – for something else. It’s really just like a big online swishing party!

“Like most women I love to shop, but now I love to swap!” Twiggy

When you sign up at Big Wardrobe you can list items you don’t want in your wardrobe, with a description and photo, and other members can make you an offer. You can do a straight swap, if they have something you like, accept cash, or a combination of both.

A whole new wardrobe!

Once you’ve signed-up you can browse other members’ wardrobes or use the categories to find stuff you want and get yourself a whole new wardrobe! There’s thousands of items listed; clothes, shoes, bags and accessories – and, because it’s free, you can try out things you wouldn’t usually buy.

“It’s friendly in every sense; eco, purse and socially” Lauren Lavern

But it’s not just about saving money and getting some (nearly) new stuff. By swapping your clothes at Big Wardrobe you’re doing something to save the planet too, by not dumping your unwanted clothes in landfill.

If you read the article ‘Throwaway fashion ends up in landfill‘ you’ll know that dumping clothes is becoming a big problem with so many thrown away after being worn just a few times.

Other things you can do

Big Wardrobe is a great place to swap stuff but there are other things you can do with clothes you don’t want anymore: have a swishing party (like Big Wardrobe but with a group of friends), repurpose them into something else, or donate them to a charity shop to raise money for a good cause (and you can pick up some bargains while you’re there!).

Whatever you do with your unwanted clothes, not throwing them away is what really matters. So do yourself a favour, check out Big Wardrobe and swap your clothes for a new outfit. Try it, you’ll like it!

Written by Katy Thomas of Katy Kool
Katy is a media student in the UK, who loves green and girly eco-chic (fashion with a conscience and concern for the environment). Keep up with Katy’s ethical and eco-friendly choices over at Katy Kool.

Cheap, throwaway fashion accounts for up to 30% of the waste at some landfill sites in the UK, according to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

The proportion of textile waste dumped at council tips has risen from 7% to 30% in five years, raising concerns about sustainability.

“It is presenting real challenges, because these materials are not easily recyclable” said Michael Jack, the MP who chairs the committee.

The Primark effect

Staff at a waste-disposal site in south London have already labelled the problem the “Primark effect”. Many of the garments are made from synthetic materials which cannot be easily recycled and are being worn just a few times before being thrown out.

“The whole notion of throwaway fashions needs to be re-examined. People may want something that is fashionable, but they should also be thinking about whether what they are buying will last” Michael Jack MP added after the hearing.

One store is taking a stand on the issue. Asda said at the hearing that it would be repositioning its George range of value clothing.

Fast Fashion

“We are moving away from fast fashion. We did a survey with our customers at the beginning of the year. They said they are now making product choice decisions around quality and value for money” Asda spokesman, Julian Walker-Palin said.

“They are shopping for wardrobe essentials rather than fast fashions, which tend to be impulse buys. So we have completely changed our brand offer on our George clothing to reflect that.”

That’s good news from Asda, but what can we do about throwaway fashion?

Charity shops

One thing we can – and really should – do, to avoid throwaway fashion ending up in landfill, is take it to a charity shop when it’s no longer wanted.

Charity shops have been hit by the boom in cheap clothing stores like Primark – sales of used (or secondhand) clothes has slumped and with it the money that supports many good causes.

By taking unwanted clothes to your nearest charity shop you’re saving them from landfill, giving others a chance to wear them and helping to support whichever charity you choose.

Tell us what you think

We’d love to hear your views about throwaway fashion! Is it worth the price to the environment? Read what others have said and tell us what you think in the comments below.