A movement has recently been launched in the European Union urging youngsters and influencers to serve as role models to help "make fast fashion out of fashion."
Can we in the Northeast take the lead in India and emerge as flagbearers of a movement that is urgently needed to make this planet a better place to thrive on. We have all been avidly following the terrible earthquake in Turkiye that saw lives in multi-storied towers collapse like nine pins. Don’t you think that natural calamities, apart from the man-made ones, are occurring more frequently now? Did you realise how bad the winter was this year here? I quote from a news item — “Guwahati has clocked the highest upward change in temperatures as this densely populated city has recorded 3 degrees Celsius increase in minimum temperature and 5 degrees Celsius increase in maximum temperature. Experts have attributed this year’s warmer winter in Assam to several factors, primarily the loss of green cover and pollution.”
What has fashion got to do with all of this, you may be wondering. A lot!
And, it’s time once again to make the use and throw policy of our clothes old-fashioned. It harms the planet, and also our health. I have written about this earlier and I reiterate, we can make a difference with the choices we make in our lifestyle. Incorporate the habit of sustainable fashion, and also inspire others by sharing examples of your actions.
The campaign by the European Union urges people to follow the following 12 rules, and we too could take a step forward by opting for some at least:
- Start simple: Don’t buy too many clothes! Think about how often you will wear a new piece of clothing. If you don’t think you will wear it a least 30 times, don’t purchase it.
- Hang ‘em up: Look after the clothes you already have. Wear them until they wear out. Dial down the temperature on the washing machine to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect colours from running. Washing at a lower temperature also means less wear of the material.
- Clear out your closet: Regularly go through your wardrobe to see what you really need and give any clothes you don’t wear a second lease of life by selling them or donating to charity.
- Be creative: Patch up and repair your clothing. Personalise an old garment or repurpose it into something else. Accessorise! Learn to make your own clothes to really show off your own unique style.
- Swap with friends: Swap unused clothes with friends and family or organise an event at your school, college or workplace. Exchange clothing with like-minded people.
- Rent something special: You don’t need to splash out on new clothes for school and college ceremonies, weddings or other special events. Simply rent or borrow.
- Quality not quantity: If you do need to buy something new, invest in the best quality with a timeless ‘classic look’. Make sure it will last and remain in style longer than cheaper fast fashion styles. This way, you save money and create less waste in the long run.
- Only what you need: If you shop online, only order garments you aim to keep. Items you return may not be sold again but instead incinerated to avoid paying handling costs.
- Ask questions: Check with companies where and how their garments are made. The more people ask questions the more clothing brands will begin applying sustainable solutions across the supply chain.
- Go organic: Buying clothes made from organic cotton – cotton grown in a sustainable way that uses fewer chemical fertilisers, pesticides and water to reduce its environmental impact.
Are you ready to start a movement that will ReSet the trend?
