(Photo by Stocksnap.com) Good morning to you and happy new year! The first post of the new was born from a reflection that has been accompanying me for a few months. Fashion destroys the planet, yet it is my passion. I love talking about it, I always look forward to the sales season. But what will remain of the blue planet to the next generations, to my children? Read the manifesto, a guide that can be an inspiration for every sustainable fashionista, like every sunrise that lights my days, like every sunset that I don’t want to be obscured by grey clouds.
But before, I’d like to tell you that I am so proud to announce my first book on this topic – The Sustainable Fashionista – published on 24 June 2021. In this guide, I tried to find out the best solutions to coexist two realities often in conflict with each other, the passion for fashion that shines and seduces through the shop windows and the well-being of the environment compromised by the textile industry. The book gives tips on how to enhance personal style and beauty, offering food for thought to stay in harmony with people and the planet. Enjoy the reading, dear readers!
Further information about the book at the following blog page The Sustainable Fashionista a gift for Christmas
THE MANIFESTO OF THE SUSTAINABLE FASHIONISTA
I like fashion, I like being well dressed, I like to give me a present every now and then and if what I wear is in harmony with the planet, I like it even more.
But I am also aware of the fact that every garment I fall in love with and that comes from the fashion stylist’s inspiration, has always an impact on the environment and the society and even if it is made according to sustainability, it reduces the resources of the planet.
HENCE
What can I do to create harmony between my passion for fashion and the planet that hosts me?
I can follow and share my decalogue for the sustainable fashionista, for those like me who do not give up fashion and beauty and are looking for solutions that will not harm future generations.
THE DECALOGUE FOR THE SUSTAINABLE FASHIONISTA
1) Before every purchase, look inside your closet and check if the dress you are about to buy is really missing. If you find a similar item that can be adapted, do not throw it away. Ask your reliable seamstress. Or if you don’t have one, ask your friends if they know someone who does it and is in need and makes tailoring repairs at home. You will be doubly happy, for having given new life to an old dress, for having helped someone looking for work.
2) If, instead, that kind of dress doesn’t exist in your wardrobe, then reward yourself with that gift. You are a woman engaged in many roles, as a mother and a wife, as a worker and a friend and it is right to appreciate your work with what you like most. For every new purchase that gets into your closet, try to get out at least one item to choose among shoes, bags, accessories, clothes. Free the wardrobe from what is old to make room for what is new, without throwing anything away, but giving it to those who are in need, both friends and associations for charity.
3) Remember that buying less clothes is equivalent to giving value to your money. You usually spend hours closed inside the office, thus away from your family, nature and hobbies, in order to earn a salary. This means that the working time taken away from the most important things of your life is returned to you in the form of money you can invest in purchases and experiences. So, starting from the assumption that the value of passions and feelings is always priceless, also accepting the fact that the economy indirectly attributes a price to them (it is more or less like saying that two hours of work, away from your family, can be calculated around 25 Euros) buy only consciously, spend the money you have earned for what counts. Do not buy anything just because it is cheap, buy it if you really like it and if you need it.
4) The most sustainable fashion is the recycled one, the one based on what has already been produced and therefore consider the opportunity of reusing clothes until the end of their days. Search online, in street markets and specialized shops, buy recycled clothes. Think about this question and look for the answer. What is more sustainable for the environment and society, the vintage bag in real leather you inherited from your mom or the new bag in fake leather that you saw in a fashion magazine?
5) Clothes and outfits can also be rented. If you have to attend an event or a ceremony and are looking for something elegant and chic, which you will wear only and exclusively on that occasion, consider the possibility of renting. Online you will find interesting, much cheaper and more sustainable ideas.
6) You can get information online about the brands you like most to find out if they produce sustainable garments. If you want to deepen your knowledge and are looking for sustainable brands, consult the database by GOTS. It is the most important standard for the sustainable production of clothing and textiles, which contains a list of certified brands.
7) Read clothing labels before any purchase, try to understand what you are buying, where that product comes from and if it was made with respect for the environment and the workers. If the garment is GOTS certified you will have this certainty.
8) When you buy fashion products, plan to use them also in the future, go for must-have items that outlive fashion trends, consider neutral colours that can be easily combined. Essentials and evergreen clothes are excellent investments. They can be worn for different occasions. They change the look according to the accessories with which you combine them and can be reused for many years on.
9) The choice between a cheap or an expensive garment which are apparently similar, is often dictated by the price and not by the quality. This behaviour often comes to term with low salaries, high expenses, resposabilities and compromises. The downside is that fast fashion, the luxury fashion for everyone, has produced irreversible damage to the planet and to people. If you can, find out what you are really buying, discover if a cheap product is really cheap for the planet too. Remember that as a conscious consumer you have the power of driving economics.
10) Share these tips with friends, use social medias to multiply your awareness exponentially and contribute to sustainable fashion. Ask if you have doubts on the topic, your questions can inspire new solutions and arise new ideas.
Above all remember that being a sustainable fashionista means helping the planet and the society. It makes us responsible and happy to do something important for everyone.
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