How forming your own style instead of following trends can promote sustainability
Buy, wear once, discard, repeat. In today's digital age, we tend to flip through trends quicker than swiping left or right on dating apps. Due to the overflowing amount of trending information that we absorb on Tik Tok, Instagram, or Twitter, the shelf life of fashion trends is shortening. Every time we refresh our feed, we're refreshing our closet.
Fast-fashion brands are profiting from the quickening rise and fall of clothing trends, as they are pumping out new garments to sell to us through digital advertisements that they embed within our "for you pages." Though it's tempting to give in and buy that trendy pearl choker for "only $3.00" or invest in the newest strappy top for Insta pics, this habit of impulsively buying fashion then tossing it once the next trend comes is the farthest thing from sustainable. In fact, Americans generate 16 million tons of textile waste each year (greenamerica.org).
Photo via Ecotextile News
One way to decrease your personal contribution to the mountain of textile waste is to, well, be yourself. It sounds cliché, sure, but the sooner you start defining your individual style, the less inclined you might feel to keep up with the trends.
So, how does one create his or her own style? Start by limiting the amount of time you spend on social media. Draw style inspiration from individuals whom you admire or look up to. Create mood boards or Pinterest pages with your aesthetic. Think of the message you want your style to convey. From there, build a wardrobe based on pieces that define YOU, curating your closet full of clothes that you might wear for a sustainable amount of time.
Now, I'll admit, I partake in certain fashion trends every now and then--it's hard not to! While completely ditching the trend culture is difficult, a good place to start is creating your own style that's independent of the constant flow of trends.
Photo of Chelsea Flea Market via Architectural Digest
If you prefer to keep your closet looking like a trendy girl's Pinterest board, start buying clothes from second-hand sites, such as Depop or Poshmark. If you're trying to eliminate hours on your phone, take a trip to local flea markets or host a clothing swap in your community. That way, you're staying on top of the emerging styles without supporting fast fashion.
Creating your own style and ditching the wasteful cycle of buying clothes simply because they're "trendy"--only to throw them out--can lead to a more eco-friendly wardrobe. Bottom line, buy clothes because they fit your personal style, not just because everyone else is wearing them.
June 4, 2021
Written by Katelyn Kolberg
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