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Can Trends Ever Be Sustainable?

Can Trends Ever Be Sustainable?

Posted on: Sunday 20 February 2022



Slow fashion (and sustainable living in general) is something of a minefield; there are always people who seem to be doing it better than you and you're always going to feel like you could or should be doing more. Realistically, every little helps and counts, and one of my favourite quotes when it comes to sustainable living is 


"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly."


I try and remind myself of this often; we're all busy, we definitely can't be perfect and making small and simple changes that stick is the best way forward. 


One of the questions I often ask myself when it comes to slow fashion is can trends ever be sustainable? 


The hardcore slow fashionistas would say no, that you should build a capsule wardrobe of basics and live in them forever. 


My personal style is a big part of who I am; despite moving over to the realm of slow fashion over the past few years, I still enjoy fashion and getting dressed in the morning, and the idea of living in basics would take away both enjoyment and a part of my personality. So yes, I do think you can make trends sustainable and I've put together a little guide on how to do just that so you can still get your fashion fix while keeping your halo intact.



SHOP SECOND HAND // Ironically, due to the fast fashion problem, gone are the days when charity shops and second hand websites (eBay, Depop, Vinted) sold actual old clothes and many of them are now filled with the latest trends that people have bought and forgotten to return. While this is problematic in itself because of the overconsumption in the first place, the clothes themselves are better being worn and loved than sent to landfill so grab yourself a bargain that may otherwise have gone to waste.



SHOP SMALL // Shopping small is always more sustainable, and small businesses generally have a much lower carbon footprint. There are plenty of small businesses with great sustainability policies so look out for those too. 



SHOP YOUR OWN WARDROBE // You may not think your wardrobe is full of the latest trends, but what about that item that's got lost at the back from years ago because it went out of fashion and has now come back in? There are also potentially clothes in there you could alter by dyeing, chopping into or merging together. It's always worth a look!



RENT INSTEAD OF BUY // For those special occasions; weddings, parties, etc, it's always worth looking at renting over buying. It can work out cheaper or the same price, you can wear the latest trends then they won't be clogging up your wardrobe while you wait a year for the next special occasion, only to want something different for that one anyway. I've only rented once, for my birthday, and I used Hire Street, which is super affordable!


How do you shop the latest trends sustainably?


Amy x

Comments

  1. Great post! I think accessories can really do a lot for an outfit too. You might have a dress you've had for years but you can style it so many different ways with different tights/footwear/jewellery/jacket etc.

    I dont think Im trendy so I'm happy to have the same clothes for years and often do.

    Corinne x
    https://skinnedcartree.com

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    1. Yes 100%! Accessories are such a help to make an outfit different. I've had some of the same clothes for years too, even if I pack them away for a year I end up liking them again! xx

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  2. I like reusing old clothes and creating new outfits out of them, it's always fun! x

    Lucy Mary

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  3. This is such an interesting post. I wouldn't say I'm a particularly trendy person, a lot of my wardrobe is years old. I shop on vinted quite regularly (especially for the kids) but have definitely noticed the amount of fast fashion on there. I think you're totally right, trend pieces are being bought, worn once or twice and then forgotten about sadly.
    Claire.x

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    1. I have so many old clothes that I still love and wear. Also vinted is fab! x

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  4. I'm trying to shop small, and I've also bought quite a lot recently on Vinted because I want to be better and more sustainable. I don't buy things because of a trend, I buy things I'm going to wear a lot and that are staples!

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    1. Vinted is so good! I buy things to last too!

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  5. Ah very inspiring and helpful and love that quote, thanks for posting :)

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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    1. Awh glad you think so lovely, thanks for reading!

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  6. I've been buying and selling second hand - especially my little boys clothes because he's really not in them long enough

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    1. Yes kids clothes are such good things to buy second hand then sell on!

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