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.
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Twitter: @888lorna
Wow, so exciting. Imagine the impact if everyone just came to their senses about the ‘fashion machine’ and just wore what they liked and not what was dictated to them. You are absolutely right about quality garments, too, they last infinitely longer so actually work out cheaper in the long rung. Apparently if jeans were made of hemp they would last over 20 years, so guess why they are not making those ! (yet – unless we can create a demand… hmm)