Influencers can encourage more sustainable fashion; but why aren't they?

I don't know if you have noticed, but the world is changing; and our habits need to start to mirror this.

Slowly but surely, we've seen a reduction in society of using less (and even banning) single use plastics; encouraging reusable items such as: straws; cups; and even of bamboo toothbrushes!

So considering this, why isn't our fashion industry doing more to encourage a more sustainable change?

A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that more than half of "fast fashion" (think brands like boohoo, missguided etc.) is disposed of in under a year. The average lifespan of a garment — meaning the number of times it is worn before being tossed aside to make way for new pieces — has dropped by over 36 percent compared to garmet lifespan of 15 years ago.

Now I am in no way saying I am a fashion expert, or a blogger who knows all about "fashun darling", but I do whole heartedly believe in sustainable fashion practices. And we need to be doing more.

I don't know about you, but I am tired of seeing instagram famous 'fashion influencers' promoting countless fast fashion pieces; as well as constantly selling unaffordable pieces to the public, which are never reworn or reused!

Across my social media feeds, I constantly see promotions for Boohoo and Missguided, despite the fact that they have been named as two of the least sustainable fashion brands in the UK in a report published by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC).

Increasingly, pieces are brought from fast fashion industry leaders due to the fact that they can be 'one'time' outfits and binned after use; usually they don't get reworn or reused due to the poor materials used, and the ever changing trends coming round the corner even faster than standard seasonal trends. So often, these pieces get worn once and then binned.

Landfill represents just one corner of the industry's environmental footprint, but it is a huge and prominent footprint at that.

Inspired by this looming issue, and using the power of instagram, I have started a sustainable fashion instagram page: @MCRCharityFinds, to encourage and promote a more sustainable fashion journey.

I will be posting great local charity shop finds, restyling for outfits to promote more than 1 wear, as well as showing off local bargains that are far away from the usual fast fashion leaders.

I was inspired by my friend Julia, who runs a ethical clothing company called Tatty Moo, to change my fashion habits for the better. She turns amazing unused or old fabric into beautiful and unique fashion pieces.

But for those reading this at home, influencer or not!, here are a few tips you can do to create a more sustainable fashion journey:

1. Reduce: Reduce the amount you are buying. Are you buying pieces for the sake of having them, or for actual need?

2. Rewear and Reuse: Is there an outfit in your wardrobe, or item you could restyle or rewear instead of buying brand new?

3. Borrow: In this generation we are definitely guilty of not asking of borrowing, but why not? If your friend is a similar size to you, why don't you borrow a piece from their wardrobe to spice up an outfit and to bring new life to an item you already own?

4. 2nd Hand: What is one mans trash, is another mans treasure. And I stand by this SO much. Just because you have come to the end of a journey with a garment, does not mean you have to bin it. Go to a charity shop to find the new piece you are looking for, or look on previously owned sites such as depop. If you are looking to get rid of old clothes and get something in return, I love a good swap shop! Take your old wardrobe, and swap it for amazing preowned but new for your wardrobe pieces.

5. Recycle: What can you do with that garment that could still make it useful but in a different way? Could you turn the dress into a skirt and a top? or Turn those ripped jeans into a denim skirt? Or take your old jumper and turn it into a cushion cover! The possibilities are endless. Google for how-to-guides or even pop into your local tailors to get some great advice.

6. Donate: Tying on with the points from 2nd Hand. If you have got to the end of your journey with a garment, give someone else a chance with it. Donate it to someone in need, such as a local homeless shelter, refugee charity or local high street charity shop. Most will take anything as long as its not in a bad condition and is clean!

So lets see what changes we can make to the fashion industry by reducing the amount we buy into fast fashion, and buying into the environment and better eco-friendly fashion!

El x