Fashion

Creative ways to make clothes last longer

Fashion images that saturate our news feeds help the industry bring in a whopping £26 billion to our economy. On average we each spend £640 on clothes per year and collectively throw out almost 300,000 tonnes of textiles. One third of this has barely been worn! This is men and women alike with men only wearing 13% of the clothing in their wardrobes.

Maintaining your style without throwing away your old things is easier than you think, and can save you money. Take a look at the events, blogs and top tips to give you a few threads of thought.

3 things you can do today

Beat fast fashion. Be aware of impluse buys and think about whether you really want or need something. This will help you buy less, but better.
Love seconds. Find some gems in second hand clothes shops or swap clothes and accessories you no longer want with your friends and family. You could even revamp something old with a few embellishments. Get some tips in our Make, do and mend handbook.
Care for your clothes. Simple actions like washing clothes at 30ºC, only ironing when necessary and reducing tumble drying can make your clothes last much longer - read more about 'Clever Care'.

Go a bit further - run your own campaign.

How to be a fashion revolutionary

Fashion Revolution Week, 24th - 30th April, is a movement that started in the wake of the Rana Plaza disaster, rallying people to change the course of the fashion industry.

Led by Fashion Revolution, their message is clear. It’s time for fast fashion to make a U-turn, for brands to become more transparent and to start becoming a force for good.

We are often told as consumers that we hold the power to shape the fashion industry but facing a sprawling, globalised giant the challenge can seem overwhelming. Fashion Revolution Week is your opportunity to be loud, to challenge the brands you love and be a disrupter in an industry that desperately needs shaking up.

This week be a fashion revolutionary, it isn't as hard as you might think…

Be curious

Take a peek at your label. Find out where your clothes were made and think about how they were put together. Jump onto Instagram and ask brands #whomademyclothes to find out more about the people behind your favourite togs. The deeper we delve into the journey of our clothes the more they matter.

Find out

Do some digging online before you buy something; download apps like ethical barcode for when you go shopping. It pays to be clued up about where you’re putting your money and figure out what you expect from brands as a consumer.

Do something - five ways to get started

This is the fun part. Being a fashion revolutionary doesn't mean you have to stop buying and wearing the things you love. It’s about being bold, creative and thoughtful with the way you buy, wear and dispose of clothes. Here are five ways to get started:

1) Buy better

Invest a little bit more in something that you think you’ll wear for a long time and will become a wardrobe favourite. Follow in the footsteps of Livia Firth and Emma Watson and join the #30wears challenge. Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap, buy it because you love it!

2) Go charity and vintage shopping

Charity and vintage shops are the Aladdin’s cave of sustainable shopping. Hidden gems are abound and you’ll be getting better quality pieces for you’re money. Second hand shopping gives you the opportunity to give new life to a look and stop beautiful clothes from going to landfill. If you need a little inspiration check out this guide to the hidden second hand shops of London!

3) Swap!

Dive into your wardrobe and dredge out the dresses you’ve never worn and jeans that don’t fit, it’s time to give them to someone who will love them like they deserve to be loved. Go to a big swishing event or swap with friends.

4) Mend and customise

The internet is jam packed full of tutorials on ways to mend, upcycle and customise clothes you've fallen out of love with. Let your creativity roam free, it’s cheap and easy to tailor clothes, dye them or fix up rips and tears. If this is up your street then have a go at making your own clothes, they’ll fit you perfectly and you’ll be completely in control of the style and process.

5) Donate Responsibly

Think about the afterlife of your clothes. While donating is a good way to get rid of old clothes, unwanted second hand clothing being sent to predominantly African countries is causing big problems by disrupting their local textile economy. Have a look at the organisations you want to give to and find out where your clothes might be going before you donate them.

This is just the tip of the revolutionary iceberg, take a look at more ways to get involved on Fashion Revolution’s website and download their guide on ‘How to be a Fashion Revolutionary’.

Want to find out more about eithical fashion and get involved in the debtate? Join us on The Fashion Future Network.

Watch

This week on our blog channel Sarah explores how we can all be a Fashion Revolutionary. Have a look and don't forget to subscribe.

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