How to Support Fashion Revolution Week From Home
Fashion’s impact on the world comes in many forms. Have you ever asked yourself, “Who made my clothes?” as well as, “What’s in my clothes?”.
Some of you might already know of the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Believe it or not, it is one of the most polluting industries in the world, high up there with crude oil and animal agriculture. Fast fashion trends lead to overconsumption and enormous amounts of discarded garments every year. Most clothing is made of unsustainable fabrics (AKA: plastics!) and unfortunately, not made to last. But there are also many human rights issues when it comes to fashion. Unfair wages, exploitation of children and women, unsafe working conditions, lack of workers’ rights, health hazards at various stages of the supply chain (from the cultivation of raw materials, to the burning of discarded clothing), and many others.
Clearly, we should be doing more to protect both humans and the environment. That’s why Fashion Revolution Week came to be.
It began as a way to commemorate the Rams Plaza clothing factory which collapsed in 2013, killing 1,138 people and injuring countless more. But it is also a great way to spread awareness and learn more about this industry that needs to change for the better, for all humans and the planet.
Since in-person events were cancelled this year, I’ve compiled ten ways you can take part in Fashion Revolution Week from home! Yup, even from your bed. ;)
Don’t buy from fast fashion brands.
It can be tempting right now being stuck at home to shop sales online as a pick-me-up… but I’m telling you, emotional shopping is not the answer! Think of all the women and children abroad being forced to work throughout this pandemic without any PPE. Think of those who recently lost their jobs without any compensation despite having families to feed. Is supporting those types of inequalities really worth it for that $5.99 Zara shirt?
Think of how often you’ll wear a garment before purchasing it.
Each garment you buy has an environmental impact. If you know you’ll only be wearing the item once, reconsider your purchase. If you need a specific item for a once-in-a-lifetime event, consider buying secondhand (yup, even wedding dresses can be bought preloved!).
Know your materials.
Do you know what’s in your clothes? It’s important to check labels and descriptions online before purchasing any clothing. Many fabrics nowadays are synthetics, made using chemicals that pollute the Earth and shedding microplastics in the water supply every time you wash it. Other materials go against animal welfare. Opt for natural, vegan fibres and do your research before buying a garment. A good resource to start knowing how to wash and care for different materials is this post here.
Support ethical slow fashion brands.
Support doesn’t mean having to buy anything new. If you aren’t looking to buy new pieces, you can simply follow, like, and share their posts. Already own a garment from a slow fashion brand? Write a review on the brand’s website. Most slow fashion companies are small businesses who rely on these forms of support to stay in business. Thanks to them, we are slowly changing the face of fashion and transitioning to having more sustainable, ethical wardrobes. I’ll be writing a blog post on some of these brands soon, but if you need inspo for now, head to my Instagram story highlight called “STYLE INSPO”. You can access my Instagram here.
Rediscover what you own.
Go through your items and try to come up with new outfit combinations to wear. Take photos and put them in an album on your phone that you can revisit when you feel that you have “nothing to wear”. Add new ones regularly as you discover them. This system will help you remember what you already own, know which specific items you might be lacking and needing in your wardrobe (rather than going out and buying something that doesn’t actually fill the gap), and is a fun way to rediscover items you used to love. If there are items that you no longer want to incorporate into your wardrobe, see below!
Prep for future clothing swaps.
Sort through your closet and set aside clothing in good condition that you no longer wear to donate in the next Fashion Revolution Clothing Swap. Although it can’t happen during Fashion Revolution Week as planned this year, you’ll be ready for when it gets rescheduled. Plus you’ll feel great knowing you have a tidy closet that only contains your most loved items!
Learn to mend your clothes.
Relearning how to sew is one of my goals this year! Got free time during isolation? The internet is full of free resources to learn to sew and mend items you already own to extend the life of your well-loved garments. Many mending techniques can be done by hand without a sewing machine, but if you do have one, you can even go a step further and make your own clothes from fabric or clothing you already own. Having this set of skills will mean being able to reduce the amount of garments you discard and repurpose clothing you’ll own for years to come.
Make a donation to your local branch of Fashion Revolution.
Check to see if your local branch has any current fundraisers on-the-go. Funds raised go into future events and marketing strategies to bring awareness to the global problems associated with fashion.
Learn, learn, learn.
The more you know, the more you’ll be able to implement positive changes in your life. You can start by browsing the Fashion Revolution website or their Instagram page. There are also documentaries you can watch such as The True Cost.
Spread the word!
Share about the Fashion Revolution on your social media accounts and help others learn more about fashion’s impact on our planet, on human beings, and on your health. I’d love if you could share this blog post with your family and friends!
Let me know in the comments below how you plan on participating in Fashion Revolution Week this year, and if you used any of my suggestions above. :)
Have a great week! ♡
-Chanelle oxo
Poster above handpainted by Chanelle based on Fashion Revolution’s design.