Examination of the Shift to Sustainability in Fashion

• In Event: Sustainability Transformations: Walkable Suburbs, Environmental Justice Advocacy, Ecovillage Adaptations, Grass Lawns, and Fashion

Abstract

Clothes are an item essentially every human has whether for protection or a form of expression. As the impact of climate change becomes more noticeable and extreme, it is necessary to play a role in alleviating the influences of our changing climate. A simple way for many people is to not support fast fashion and to support second-hand clothing. However, if one can afford higher-priced clothing, it can be detrimental to lower-income communities if they take advantage of their resources. Adding on to the fact that because many of the lower-income communities are populated by underrepresented minorities such as African Americans and Latine groups, their cultures can be further stripped away which in extreme cases can form into a cultural genocide. Through research papers, company statistics, scientific articles, and environmental newsletters, the paper incorporates the findings to reach conclusions through the conflict and some behavioral economics outlook on how each socioeconomic group can participate in sustainability when purchasing clothing without prompting fashion gentrification. The paper further dives into the ways people shift into sustainable fashion through donations, thrift stores, and reselling, and how depending on the person, those mannerisms can further increase the economic inequality in America.
The paper is broken up into four sections where it first defines fast fashion and sustainable fashion. Fast fashion is the business model of rapidly producing clothes to align with the ongoing trends. A big component of fast fashion is the factories which produce the clothes are usually in Asia where groups such as women and children are exploited. As the issue gains more exposure, many want to learn more about sustainable fashion, which are clothes that use eco-friendly resources such as recycled materials, sustainably grown fiber, and organic materials. The last sections further illustrate how people shift to sustainable fashion and how their mannerisms can increase the economic inequality in America.
The main dilemma the research paper finds is many neglect their position socioeconomic-wise when participating in the sustainability movement. For the middle class and most importantly the wealthy, they should buy higher priced brands that practice sustainability because they can afford it. From there they can resell or give to thrift stores at a reasonable price for a small profit. For the poorer communities, thrift stores are essential to buy clothes because they are second-hand and cater to their community. The profits made from the thrift store can employ those in extreme poverty such as homelessness as well as provide free clothing directly so their donations do not directly go to waste. Such an innovation of the fashion cycle can become a way to reach sustainability. One could even add teaching lower-income communities to revamp clothes in order to make a profit, as a way to help the environment. Sustainability does not have to and should not only be reserved for those who hold more money. The shift in the fashion industry towards sustainability should not create fashion gentrification because everyone deserves the right to clothing and a healthy environment.

Author

• Keira Peters, Children’s Corner