Enough Of The Guilt-Trip: SUSTAINABLE vs FAST FASHION - Let's Talk.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2024
- Dear friends! I was talking to Rae (I have linked to her below) about sustainable fashion vs fast fashion. And feeling guilty about not EVERYTHING in our wardrobes being exclusively "sustainable". I'd say that for me personally, I mix-up sustainable (designer) and fast fashion pieces to get different looks.
I think social media potentially frowns upon fast fashion, which I think is unfair and doesn't take into account people's individual financial situations. I don't think it's right to judge!! What do you think? Let me know in the comments! xx
RAE'S CHANNEL:
/ @hautepinkrae8084
*********************************************************************
//DISCLAIMER:
This video is not an AD/Sponsored. Affiliate links in use, any links that aren’t affiliate will have ‘Not affiliate’ written alongside.
I lived in London in the 1990’s and bought really good basics from M&S. Their jumpers and cardigans were 100% wool - but they were ‘washable’ wool. To this day, I still have and wear many of them! Oh, and they also went in the tumble dryer! I cannot wear them out! 👍🙋♀️🇺🇸🥰‼️
I just read an article saying that Burberry burned over $37 million of unsold product and that Louis Vuitton, Coach, Michael Kors, and Gucci are also guilty of this unsustainable practice. So luxury fashion is also guilty of being unsustainable!
H&M was also guilty of this back in 2010.
Apparently the EU is putting laws into place to ban the practice of burning unsold products so I guess we’ll see if these brands actually put unsold products on sale lol 😂
The article also mentioned that one of the reasons fast fashion brands are growing so fast is because of the growth of the middle class in China. China is now the largest fashion market in the world apparently surpassing the US back in 2019.
Loved the video ❤
burning unsold product is such a shame. Absolutely dreadful. 😢
The problem is over-consumption. Yes, not everyone can buy a $200 top compared to a $20 top from H&M. I will never guilt a person/family who buys fast fashion because they cannot afford it or will love a particular piece for a long time. That differs from these other influencers or fashion blogs who spend $300 on H&M weekly and post hauls. I feel that people in a financial position to afford more "responsible" brands should consider that instead of fast fashion.
Beyond the environmental impact, much of the shame is attached to terrible working conditions (which I think about). I come from a country that produces a lot of the world's fast fashion, and it's painful to see the conditions of these workers (particularly Shien & Temu).
We all do the best we can, it's about small impact rather than being "perfect." Do what you can!
Totally agree with this!
Thanks for the run of videos Sophie! You’ve been killing it with the content lately.
A lot of people stopped making videos at this time and it’s been nice to have your videos to enjoy and pass the time.
You’re so kind! Thank you my friend, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the videos!xx🥰🙏
I love to mix vintage with budget clothes, I love getting a designer look for a fraction of the price...I shop my own wardrobe..if you can sew , change buttons.add shoulder pads...no need to spend a fortune
Yes I’m the same!!xx
There is guilt around shopping fast fashion for a reason. Surely, there are people who do not have too much money to spend on clothes and sometimes need to resort to those kinds of shops. But to be very honest; most of the time we all buy too much fashion in general. Shop less, but better, that's what i would say.
Also, luxury fashion is by no means more sustainable than fast fashion! Common misconception. If anything, many luxury brands have a higher profit margin on their clothes with the same low cost of production as fast fashion brands
Very good points!!xx
Totally agree on the shop less, I don't think the main issue with fast fashion is around people who cannot afford alternative options it is more around over consumption and haul culture where people are buying items to wear once.
I have been studying lilysilk as my company I'm studying for uni. Their as bad as fast fashion. So many higher end brands get a good reputation that is absolutely not deserved.
Excellent video. I do buy from fast fashion, but I keep it until it is not wearable. I have some pieces that i have had for over 5 years. If we don’t buy new pieces every week but wear out what we buy from fast fashion, i personally don’t feel guilty.
100% agree! The sustainability should be about wearing your items until they tear down, lowering the turnover, regardless if you’re buying fast fashion or high end.
When I was in school I’d buy one pair of jeans and wore them the entire school year. That’s sustainable. Poor people are sustainable. Overconsumption isn’t sustainable.
A high price tag doesn't guarantee sustainability! I try to do my research, but it's not easy, especially when an item can be 90% made in China, but finished in Europe, and they're legally allowed to stamp it as "made in Europe"! But a made in China stamp, doesn't necessarily mean its not sustainable!
I try to buy fabrics that are sustainable, I don't enjoy wearing most synthetics (especially tops), but some brands use the same technology as is used in sportswear to make it more comfortable, so sometimes synthetics make sense. Natural fibres need to be responsibly sourced and treated (organic cotton or ecovero, for example), and they are definitely what I go for. Mainly I try to buy things I'm going to wear a lot (I have items that have been worn 100+ times), but I also aim to wear my clothes multiple times between washes. Wool and cashmere are self cleaning, so as long as it's not visibly dirty, a good airing does the trick. I ruined too many jumpers by hand washing, so now I use the delicate cycle on my machine with the lowest speed spin, and haven't any issues with this. Everything is air dried (I don't own a tumble drier). And yes , I avoid anything that is dry clean only - not only do my clothes last longer by not being put in a drier, but I save on my electricity bill too.
I'm not perfect, and not all my clothes are sustainably produced, but I do my best to wear them and care for them in a sustainable way.
As for recycling - atm not everything is recyclable. The collection of worn out textiles is outstripping the technology to recycle. And in Denmark, at least, the introduction of local councils collecting textiles supposedly for recycling has meant that clothes that could have been taken to a charity or second hand shop are being thrown away, because it seems easier and without guilt because you think they'll be recycled. Hopefully, now there's a ready supply, technology will catch up!
The dry cleaning process and what it leaves behind are not necessarily good for the environment either
If you get the use out of an item and have something for more than the seasonal fashion cycle then it's no longer "fast fashion". It may be more sustainable to buy things that are classic from trend stores than trendy from RTW collections as the former might give you more wearable options than the latter. It all depends on what you choose to invest in and how you work to maintain your clothes. If you know how to sew, make small repairs, or repurpose old fabrics, fast fashion can be as efficient as products carrying B Corp designations.
They are not made to last.
My mother always maintained a quality over quantity policy. It's served me in good stead. I still wear a skirt she purchased from Burberry in the 80's. I do sew and make some of my own item's but I'm a great believer in you get what you pay for...but...I've walked past jewellery chains and paid $3 for a pair of earrings more than once and worn them heaps, I treat them the same as my expensive jewellery and my cheaper jewellery has lasted for years...moral of the story, just look after your items and you'll have them for as long as you want them.
As a mom it's so much easier to buy wash and wear t-shirts because we're a group that is busy running around looking after kids and we don't have a lot of time to iron/press out our t-shirts; like you said, they come out of the dryer looking perfect. It's convenient and budget friendly. Lovely video Sophie!
My grandmother had these twenty + year old polyester slacks from a store that would now be called fast-fashion and treated them like they were luxury (by repairing them many times over, cold wash/hang drying them, until eventually they were cut up to be used as rags). To me that is sustainability - caring for the things we have as best as possible for as long as possible - and it can't bought in a store. Supporting businesses that want to increase sustainability in fashion is excellent, but as you pointed out the manufacturing/distribution is such a small part of the total lifespan of a clothing item.
Another challenge can be that price doesn't necessarily reflect overall quality (like crooked seams on a luxury handbag). Learning which material/construction keeps clothing looking its best for as long as possible seems like a better strategy in the long run. It also makes it easier to be discerning when shopping with fast fashion retailers or second-hand because it stretches your money further when sticking to a budget. Although it's always tricky with online shopping, no matter how much info they give you what you order can look so different in person.
Anyway I loved the video Sophie and I'm really enjoying reading the other comments too!
So glad you said this. You can buy clothes from these brands and still use them for a long time. I have pieces from H&M that I’ve had for 5+ years and still wear them!
I think there is a difference between cheap vs expensive items and fast fashion and sustainability. You can buy cheaper items but keep them longer and it becomes sustainable from your point of view. Or you can buy expensive and wear it once and throw it away etc. So one argument is cost per wear and being as sustainable as you can be personally. The other is how an item is made using sustainable materials and practices etc vs poor conditions and flown across the world etc. So I think there are two elements to this. X
I do sustainability in clothes by repurposing things. They get donated, or made into something else since I also sew. I have taken old things and made shoe bags and dust bags, and hair scrunchies. If I cut a pattern, I use saved leftover fabric for something. I think I need to look into a location for textile bins locally. Thanks for reminding us! ♻️❤
I do that too. But I always wonder if the items meant to be repurposed really gets repurposed meaningfully. Sorry, I am always in the infinite loop of wondering what happens to the repurposed items, and the eventual handling of their end of life - to the landfills or the oceans and their decompositions into toxic gases etc. Best is to consume less, there is really no way out of this loop, just making the loops smaller.
@@dimdull "making the loops smaller" I like that way of thinking about it
I was just rechecking the other day and H&M still collects old clothing that is either in relatively good shape or even clothing with rips and stains. I guess it’s their way of trying to help the cause when they’ve been called out for not being sustainable. For whatever reason it’s a good thing.
I also notice that they have a reselling platform for (I believe) worn H&M clothes, not a bad initiative imo
Sophie, it was very nice seeing you every day, you were great company! I wish you a happy return to work! 😘
You have the nicest week too Veronica!!xx
I add Oxi-clean to all my whites. I also hand wash ALL my “dry clean only” steam after and it’s all new again!
Daily vids were a real treat!❤ Thank you! I feel bad for buying H and M sometimes, try to buy as little as possible and when I do I make sure its clothes I can wear for a long time. Reiss, Diesel and other more expensive brands are just as bad as Primark when it comes to working conditions/exploitation/production. The Fashion industry in general is responsible for sooo much suffering and pollution that it sometimes makes me sick!Shein is pure evil, fast fashion on steroids! No one needs bags and bags full of cheap plastic clothes. I try to buy only what I need or think I'll wear for a long time. No microtrends, no clothes with sequins/feathers/applications that won't survive a wash. No Shein!
Hi Sophie,
You might want to try dishwashing liquid to remove foundation from the inner collar of your shirts / blouses. I find this more effective than the usual suspects.
As always, I enjoy your videos
Shopping sustainably can also mean shopping less often
I could spend £300 (about AUD$600) for a jumper from time to time but not habitually. I do not have the money, especially now while my currency is low. When I buy ‘fast fashion’ price items I do not wear them once. I wear them long term. Thank you for the video. Thank you also for the extra videos over Christmas.
Hi Sophie! Hello from the USA! Let me first say, since I've been watching your videos for many years, I LOVE your total honesty, transparency, precious spirit, passion for fashion, and David! Thank you for sharing your life and fashion expertise to all of us! You are the wonderful. Take care and God Bless you and David!💜
You’re so sweet! Thank you for the love my friend, I hope you have a great week!xx🥰
A big thank you Sophie for all your videos over the Christmas period. I usually watched them at all times of the night especially after guests left or I came home late. They were my wind down before bedtime.
I've been spoiled by all your daily videos, Sophie! Thanks for sharing with us. I always enjoy watching your Bicester Village trips so looking forward to Wednesday. We have a shop here in my town that is run by the American Cancer Society, and I donate items there often. I enjoy shopping there too, as they tend to only accept better quality items. Last year I found an amazing leather and fabric jacket for $25 and it looks like new and fits me perfectly. That was my find of the year!
Well, I spent £4 on a Uniqlo cashmere jumper in a charity shop yesterday. The ultimate in recycling and sustainability! A lot of retailers are very good at marketing and greenwashing. What is the meaning of sustainability? Sometimes I feel brands just use sustainability as a justification for overinflated prices. At the end of the day, buying anything brand new is not sustainable - it doesn't matter whether it's fast fashion or higher end. Interestingly, the charity shops I went into were absolutely heaving !!
Absolutely refuse to buy anything dry clean. Dry clean is such a pain for the pocketbook and the environment
Sophie thank you so much for your daily videos over the holidays. I’ve very much appreciated them.🥰🥰🥰
i really enjoyed the daily uploads this holiday season, thank you for the quality content!!
I think sustainability starts with us buying less. We have become such a huge consumer-led society that whatever we buy, we buy too much of (whether it is fast fashion or not). I have started looking for brands that have more green practices and that sell clothing that are better made. I also thrift for blazers and coats, since you can usually find some treasures there. I used to be guilty of going to primark and coming out with bags of clothing, and since I have started thinking more about what I buy, I actually appreciate what I have now and buy only what I love.
Hi Sophie, excellent points and tips here! Thanks for the shout out! Sustainability is such a fascinating subject. I think what social media gets wrong is the definition of sustainability. Sustainable means the ability to maintain or support a prosses continuously over time. Considering options is what we can do now. We don't talk enough about options that are the real truth of fashion. Dry cleaning, materials that stain easily and will not clean are not sustainable. I love the idea of maintenance, creating a longevity of things we've chosen well and taken care of. Thank you so much for braving this topic! Happy New Year everyone!😍👜👠🛍🎉
The only true sustainable fashion, is the one where we only buy what we need, nothing in excess. So if you buy a 3$ Walmart tee, or a 300$ gucci tee, if they last you years, they’re both the same sustainable value. At the end, it all ends up in a landfill and we can do our part by holding on to something as long as possible to ease the trash transition!
This, so well said!
I think shopping sustainable is ideal but not the most practical for all people, so it doesn't make sense to shame others who feel that shopping fast fashion is what works best for them. Realistically, due to the price shopping sustainably in it of itself can be considered a luxury. Not everyone has the privilege of being mindful about the resources of where they buy their clothes. Many people have to base these choices off things like smaller budgets or general product availability for example. I hope it's not offensive to compare this to how some unsheltered or low-income individuals rely on fast food. It's not the best thing for your body, but you can get more for your money, and when you're hungry getting fed is your first priority, not whether or not the food products that went into the meal were organic or ethically grown. And even if these fast fashion shoppers do have the means to buy sustainable fashion, it's also important to keep in mind that not everybody keeps up with the discourse surrounding fast fashion. You can't look at someone wearing a shirt with a Forever 21 logo, let's say. and assume they understand the company's ethics or stance on environmental issues and made a conscious decision to shop unsustainably. Some people shop strictly for the look and they don't care where it comes from, either because they're young and naive, older and uninterested in these nuances, or they find themselves somewhere in the middle. At the end of the day, better environmental practices are not the responsibility of the consumer. We can only do so much and just have to make do if we're getting by or figure out where to draw the line in the sand if we have greater means and interest in being mindful consumers.
I love shopping in charity shops or vintage and antique stores. For clothes, furniture etc. It's so rewarding when you find a bargain and it's more sustainable! There's so much more choice than what's in high street stores. I've bought £100/£200/£300+ clothing items for just £5. And feel like I have a good eye now for spotting the high quality pieces, mostly from running my hand across the fabrics. There's even some "premium" charity stores near us where they send the luxury items with a designer tag.
So, here is a sticky wicket for me: if the point of sustainability is to mitigate effects on the environment, then Dry Cleaning and the chemicals used to dry clean are antithetical to that philosophy. Thank you for discussing this.
I think the key to shopping fast fashion is how you approach it. If you are buying it with the intent of wearing it one or two times and tossing it afterwards, that's not right. However, if you are buying basics to wear many times with other pieces, then I have no problem with it. I ordered from Shein one time. I bought three items. The one was a nightgown--not bad. The dress went back, dreadful. The sweater is actually nice and it's a more trendy design, so I was impressed and will wear it quite a few times. However, we ALL need to buy less period.
Recently watched a documentary on this, fashion factory workers in India getting paid the equivalent of $2 a day. I can't afford sustainable unfortunately.
Hello lovely, yes I 100% get you. It’s AWFUL the impact of fast fashion, but not everyone can run to sustainable I agree. It’s a rock and a hard place I feel 😣xx
Shopping vintage is a more sustainable and affordable option
I keep my fast fashion clothes in good condition. Several of the pieces are almost 20 years old. My gym teeshirts are 20 year old Tesco value teeshirts. Their quality is incredible. I change buttons or zips if necessary. Several of the designer pieces I own are dry clean only, which is awful for the environment, so they don't wet worn as much as I'd like. I keep all raggy clothes for cleaning rags or to stuff the cats bed on the window.
I wash my wool and cashmere by hands and then spin them (english is not my native language so sorry if I’m using wrong words) in the washing machine and they dry very quickly, don’t stretch and it’s fine. If I don’t spin them - they loose their shape and dry for 2 days. Dry cleaning does better job with removing bubbles, but it’s time consuming to go there every time I need to clean my sweater. Now my main criteria in clothing - does it look like new after I wash it? Silk shirts are much better than cotton, I vapour them and they look exactly like new (I talk about matt silk), few seconds of work, few seconds to wash (by hands of course). These 2 things changed my wardrobe forever. My only white cotton shirt hangs new in my closet for 5 years now - I never wanted to wear it because it’s so hard to make it look good after wash. And I’ll never buy navy blue cotton sweater again because it’s never same colour after I wash it.
Videos every day from Sophie… best holiday gifts ever! Also, I have two H&M x Pringle sweaters from 2019 that I still wear, and they have held up!
Sophie still wears her Pringle x H&M and I love them too!
Hello Sophie. Thank you for the daily uploads. I really have enjoyed them. I have had handbags, shoes & accessories for years. The secret...... I look after my goods. Everything I have I really do love each and every one of them. My hubby however is really hard on his clothing. We have to replace his stuff more often than me 😅😅😅
Take care Sophie & good luck for the new business year. Jane in New Zealand 🇬🇧🇳🇿
Hi Sophie, it’s very easy to get rid of the make-up marks on white shirts (or on puffer vests or other clothes: just simply take dish cleaner on the spot. Make-up contents grease and bleach won’t help. Then for white things only take a special detergent for whites only. We have a load every three weeks.
Theory coats are great too Sophie, not expensive too, when they go on sale specially!
PS. I use silk washer liquid for washing all my pieces, got it from amazon! 0 damage😊
Also Sophie, there r so many underrated brands in these Instagram small businesses, that’s another place to buy a nice sweater for less than $100. For fun, I bought like 5 pieces from these brands that I dont remember them off the top of my head, but they were impressive. Maybe they r the next Lilysilk kinda brands
Totally agree. I have a pure cashmere trench style coat from Theory which I bought ten years ago and it's still perfect. The quality of the finish and the fabric itself surpasses the quality of some of the high end brands. Moreover, this style never goes out of fashion so I don't need to buy a new coat every year.
Theory is such an amazing brand all around. I've washed their wool pants 100x (over 5 years) and they still look brand new!!!
I totally agree on white t-shirt pain - once you wash it and it’s not white and not same shape anymore. So I went to atelier and ordered 3 silk t-shirts (white and navy blue). They look so much better. I can only imagine what would’ve happened to navy blue cotton t-shirt after 1st wash.
It's been great seeing you every day, Sophie!❤Of course I understand real life time constraints, but I'll miss you! I love your open, compassionate, inclusive approach. Anyway, happy next chapter! 🕰️🤗🌻
Hi Sophie. First happy New year to you and David. Love your videos, and cannot wait to see what you show us in 2024. Keep up your good work ♥️♥️♥️🌷🌷🌷
Thank you for such a sweet message Barbara! Wishing you the nicest 2024, I hope it’s the perfect year for you!!🙏🥰xx
Thank you for your vlogs. Hope you and David had a wonderful New Year!
A friend of mine is a bit snobbish and he swore on Hermes socks
Thank you for this video! I am really tired of every one trying to guilt people who can’t afford sustainability as anything organic and sustainable is costing a fortune. People are struggling to have their bills paid and have food on the table. And the ones who scream about sustainability, have shopping hauls every week, how is this sustainable?!
Sophie I'd love to see you review independent ethical brands for fashion and beauty. Thank you for using the comments from your viewers as an opportunity to speak about price accessibility and environmental sustainability.
This would be super cool as a content idea, seconding this
I've been watching your videos for a long time now, even binge-watching them at times. I must say, amidst a sea of content online, yours stands out as the most successful. It's high-quality, your delivery is pleasant and wonderful, and I simply enjoy watching them over and over again. Thank you very much.
This is such a sweet comment, thank you so much my friend! 🙏 I so appreciate you being here 🥰🙏❤️xx
This was really good. We are constantly being made to feel guilty about buying fast fashion but as you said not everyone can afford to buy only sustainable fashion. Then there’s the problem that people who aren’t thin have very limited options and often fast fashion is all that is available.
Sustainable fashion is a lie. Don't fall for it folks. For e.g what happens to all the unsold clothes? I'm sure they are not giving them away 💜
Greenwashing is a lie, sustainable fashion is a bit more complex. Not mass producing for trend cycles is part of more sustainable practices but not all there is to it. But there are also brands that only produce small quantities and/or made to order, hence reducing waste. Saying that everything is unsustainable is clearly a cop out…
i think you're totally right about social media unjustly attacking people for shopping fast fashion when that's all they can reasonably afford. BUT social media has also convinced everyday people that they need tons of new clothes and a new outfit for every event which is not true at all. shop fast fashion if you need to, but there's really no need for a shein haul every month ya know?
Thing is the huge hauls in social media are concerning when it's brands like shein and temu. It also doesn't help when certain influencers promote companies like halara and sah it's run by women. I try not to buy fast fashion but i do occasionally buy maybe 2 things a year. I'm I'm trying to just thrift now and buy from ebay and Vestiare and you can get some deals. Plus I'm teaching myself to sew so i can upcycle things. Of course it's hard but we can all limit our purchases. Overconsumption is awful and we really don't need so much stuff.
Pre covid just buying a designer brand you still are priced fairly maybe 20% over high street. Now the label alone zooms the price 100% or more and the quality is basically the same from the same factory.
Thank you for the daily videos, Sophie!!! : ) Loved having those to look forward to. See you Wed! : )
One does the best one can. If all someone can afford is charity shop or fast fashion, then we should mind our own damn business and leave them alone! I'm sure if they had the choice and the means, they'd go for better options!
When I do get a piece from fast fashion I made sure it's 1) natural fabric (hard but not impossible) and 2) flattering in fit, fabric and color.
This way I end up wearing something, I got for $3-$9, (due to points) for many many wears. I have 2 shein tops I wear every 5 days because they are my absolute favorite tops of the past 5 months.
Most of my clothes are thrifted but I moved to an area where the thrifting is sh*t and I don't have a car, so shipping is a necessity. I wear my clothes until they literally fall apart. I do a ton of research before purchasing anything so I pretty much know exactly what I'm getting and what size will be best.
I would like to add to your first point. Although some products from fast fashion are made with natural materials, they could still be using a low quality natural material. For example, the fibers of the material might be shorter and it might end up peeling quickly. But regardless buying natural materials is definitely better!
@@VisulC Yes it might be, but I've been lucky. I stare at pictures of reviewer's photos and look for close ups to make sure it's going to be decent. Rib fabric tends to wear really well. I have gotten fake cotton (but only from Amazon, which seems to evade fast fashion critique entirely)
Super vlog always sophie. I'm a clothes reseller so most of what I wear is second-hand, apart from the essentials which are fast fashion but I try to buy from the better quality high Street chains and get them on sale. I've got second hand tu and George jumpers and second hand chanel Gucci and Loro piana!
I saw those comments and I am not surprised, there is and should be a guilt with fast fashion because they are causing so much damage to the environment. When you see charity shops full of fast fashion clothing with tags on it and it hasn't even had the privilege to be worn once. Most of it is plastic, it's impossible to get any wool jumpers now.
I do have some acrylic and polyester clothes and yes it is easier to wash but they look uglier quicker. There has always been cheaper quality clothing around but I think it's the abundance of it now that makes itself such a problem.
Hi Sophie!!! 3 hours late! 😢Sorry was out visiting one of Kenny's sisters and then drive home was horrendous, freezing fog couldn't see a thing, and really icy roads, so glad Kenny was driving. Off to watch now.....better late than never. Hugs xx
I don't buy anything that has to be dry cleaned.
Thank you, good points! If you take care of your stuff and wear it a lot there should not be a problem.
Buying one quality item that is classic and made to last instead of cheap junk that needs to be replaced ends up being better budget wise in the end when you look at cost per wear.
Exactly 👍
If you have good taste and know how to dress up you can look amazing without spending much money. Sometimes things look like good quality without cost much. A good cut for your body shape, a good fit and the right color for your skin tone is more important...I have expensiv and less expensiv clothes and I take care of it. Both is staying long in a good shape !
You can find quality clothes that will last a few years even in fast fashion retailers. You just have to read the tag and see what the item is made of. I found a 100% cotton T-shirt in H&M and it's fantastic, I wore it the entire summer. As someone mentioned in the comments already, the problem is also huge consumption, the fact that people are buying ultra-cheap things from these retailers for the sake of big hauls and then they'll throw these away. Train your self to read the tags and get to know quality materials based on touch, it will do wonders for your closet. Also, the big problem in our society is that people in general buy luxury items that they can barely afford - all stemming from "if it costs more, it has to be a better quality" - but they forget that keeping those luxury items in good state also demands money and quality products to keep them looking good.
I buy from H&M, but I don't buy trend pieces. I buy items that I know will be staples in my wardrobe such as button down shirts, tank tops, basics etc edit: even Kmart is upping their game on carrying items made from cotton and linen and are really well made. It means I can have a nice variety of tops, shirts, skirts etc to get lots of different looks from my higher end pieces. I think there's a difference between trying to stay with all the latest trends, which is NOT sustainable at all, and buying items which you will use for years and years, regardless if it was from a "fast fashion" store. I have t shirts that I have bought that are organic cotton, sustainably and ethically made, but they were $150! There is no way my whole wardrobe is going to be full of items like that, that's crazy.
I actually don't think that expensive clothing is better than buying the premium collection from h&m. Expensive Clothing (Reiss, Ted Baker, Make, Sandro etc.) is also produced in China. You pay the label - that's it. I used to love brands like Windsor., but the quality is really bad - although it's so expensive :( for this reason i like to buy from h&m premium, massimo dutti, cos and so on. The prices are good and the quality is okay
You are so right about the foundation on the white shirts! Glad it’s not only me who has this problem. I just thought I was terrible at laundry.
It’s a real thing!😫xx
Hi Sophie, it seemed like you were a little down for a while in the last few months, but you seem to be in better spirits. I hope this is the case and I so enjoy seeing you here. 😊
Lack of knowledge on different fabrics that are sustainable is another factor besides pricing. I know for me personally the only fabric I knew of that was sustainable besides organic cotton was stuff made from bamboo. I also learned in recent years that when I thought I was being animal friendly buying vegan leather, I learned that (at the time) a lot of vegan leather was actually plastic so in the end not sustainable in the first place. If there was a guide on how sustainable fashion and what to look for instead of always expensive links maybe that would make it easier for others in trying to make more sustainable purchases.
I have a 100% cashmere jumper from Zara which cost me £110, it's beautiful, they're really upping their game- still have a lot of synthetic stuff but are using quality materials more and more. Even Primark have some 100% wool items!! I got a lovely pure wool beret for £6
My money tends to go on jewellery and handbags not so much clothing; although I don’t like to spend a lot on everyday clothing I am very conscious of material my clothes are made of , I like items that will last and won’t go tatty quickly and will wash well I don’t like things that are a wear one or two times and it’s done xx
I think there shouldn’t be any judgement on what ppl buy becuz ppl’s point of view/ how they justify about how we look at either buying one bag instead of filling ur wardrobe. No judgement, like you say repeatedly, it’s about what that makes you happy. PS. I use the steamer on all my luxury pieces even my 7k Chanel sweater which I was strictly told dry wash only:)))
I just had Chinese & opened a wine, can’t wait to listen to this. I don’t know the topic fully yet but when I was doing my marketing degree we did a lot about “greenwashing” and for my project I did mine on how Zara & H&M mislead customers with their sustainable lines, it was interesting
In my opinion. if a t-shirt is dry-clean only, it is not sustainable even though the manufacturing process might be because the upkeep of this t-shirt requires a lot more natural resources than a machine washable t-shirt that might not be sustainably made.
Being sustainable can be not buying new clothes every week! Using what you already have etc
Just cos you buy from 'sustainable' brands or designer brands, doesn't mean you're being sustainable? Esp if you're buying excessively.
End of the day everyone has their own budget and should buy what they can afford.
Edit: happy new year Sophie 😊
Sophie, please recomend a specialist dry cleaners where you take your Dior blazers etc. I have a Versace skirt I’m terrified may be ruined
Use the blue Dawn dish detergent to clean the collar of those shirts
I don’t put the shame on the consumers but the brand themselves. They are exploiting cheap labor.
Really good point
I've throughly enjoyed watching you and your videos everyday ❤😊
This year, I have to put together an outfit for a family wedding. So, this year I am not at all into bags or odd garments. I shall buy garments that I can wear at other times; that's sustainability for me.
What needs to be considered for true sustainability - are the people making your clothing in modern-day slavery? Many are, so if something appears too cheap for the quality, someone has been exploited (Shein does use slavery).
Now, in fairness, the mega factories in China can make clothing without humans (Uniqlos etc), but the quality stuff is still over 10 quid for a t-shirt retail (you have to make sure all the staff are paid along the value chain). Because the fashion industry is not transparent about costs, I can understand why people don't know what is fair. Especially, when we know some designers take the p***.
Recycled polyester is never sustainable. Old bottles and plastic belong in building and furniture materials. All plastic clothing will shed microplastics, so again, you have to think about the impact on the waterways of this clothing. I have polyester clothing that will never see the inside of a washing machine as I steam/spot wash. You can buy a guppy bag, which acts as a filter for your acrylics to avoid shedding.
Finally, the textile bins don't always go to recycling. Plenty of tests have been done with micro-tags, demonstrating that the item of clothing ended up in a dump in Ghana, for example. So actually, an old T-shirt with holes - use it for cleaning. Cotton is 100% bio-degradable, and better to dump in our own landfills than dumping in a developing country (plus the CO2 spent on transporting that garment). Also, note the sheer volume of clothing being dumped by consumers daily is eye-watering. So these recycling programme's cannot handle all the clothing they receive.
Mixed fibres cannot be recycled. So if you are buying anything, try to avoid a mixed textile. If you do wear a single-fibre item to death, at least there is a chance it can be recycled. If you cannot find the item you need as a single fibre, again better to dispose in your own landfill than export it to the developing world.
You may find that the bins at M&S have a bit more oversight on them. Ditto for Arket as they have been audited a few times. Though they are part of H&M, so we just do not know if these are truly above board. You might want to look at charities like The Farah Project, which will use old clothes to make new items. Also, keep old jeans for patching up other denim that gets minor holes, or to reinforce the inside leg. No harm in keeping old buttons etc as they will come in handy to revamp an old item.
It is so hard for consumers to make informed choices and it is great to see influencers raising the subject. There is so much green-washing and too much snobbery from certain activists. Try and do little things within your budget. Wait that extra week or two to invest in a new t-shirt, there is a huge long-term saving by paying 10-14 quid for a t-shirt as opposed to 4-6 quid. I work in the background of the fashion industry so I know how much fakery and misinformation is out there to stress out consumers.
Really good points here.
i do buy from fast fashion i.e zara, h&m, mango etc. but i wear them like for years. only bought the basics and classics style for everything, and avoided the trends. other than the denim jeans, hand washed is the key to keep them wear longer
It’s all in how you take care of your things. You can buy a fast fashion item and it may last you years. And you can buy a designer item and it may last you a month.
The dry clean label is more of a guideline and suggestion to me 😂
Thank you so much for this!!!!
Yaaay another one! Excellent commentary 😊
I could never afford to spend hundreds on one piece of clothing. I struggle to even spend $80 on a pair of jeans.
But I try to primarily shop second hand shops and yard sales. The only time I shop at an actual store for a brand new piece of clothing, is when I am looking for something very specific that I haven’t been able to find at a resale shop.
Also turn your fast fashion items inside out, the colour lasts longer. I even do this with good quality clothes. When drying, turn jeans inside out so the pockets are airing better.. I have things that last for decades this way. Also try re-dyeing the clothing. I've done this with jeans. As dark navy is coming in, I'm going to do this with some faded but otherwise great looking jeans.
So I disagree about wool and cashmere not being machine washable. I have a cashmere cardigan from Akris. Value 2500 euro. Of course it says " no washing" but I've been washing it for 15 years with wool liquid. It is perfect. Not a single bubble. In fact it comes out of the washing machine looking like new. It does take a little experience figuring out which dry clean only clothes can be machine washed and which can't but with a bit of luck and WOOLITE you should be fine
Without a doubt most people cannot afford to spend money on luxury ready to wear or even some of the sustainable companies. I am all for helping the planet and do feel very guilty when there are things I can’t do. As much as I wish I had a wardrobe of luxury clothing, I cannot afford it and moreso the brands don’t always accommodate my size (although I’m not that big at 5’6” and 147 lbs.) When they have sales I will look but mostly what is left are sizes xs and s. Even the sustainable companies prices can be quite pricey. I do tend to keep my clothing for years and when decluttering donate to friends or charities. I think the best way we can help is to try and buy from companies that are the most ethical at prices most people can afford.🙂
It baffles me, why people who can afford luxury items, choose to buy from fast fashion brands 🤷♀️. It must be for reaching a wider audience, I guess. But luxury doesn't mean sustainable either. Sustainable luxury, that would be an interesting video topic 😃
I really only wear my “good” clothes on the weekend because of my job. I’m not interested in spending a lot of money on clothes that I’m going to rarely wear.
Besides, what are people without means supposed to wear/shop? Most of these holier-than-thou people don’t look at the big picture.
Love your videos and have been watching you for at least 8-9 years! Mostly because you have always been talking about expensive things that I could never afford back home (Lithuania). Now, after living in the Netherlands for 7 years and having a little more disposable income to spend on clothes I do think I have some things to add to it. When I was growing up we were only shopping at second hand stores where items were 1eur of so, because new items were around 15eur and that was expensive therefore would need to be worn for at least one year. So in my country (Europe btw) fast fashion was considered expensive and unaffordable. However, I would say that underwear and socks in from primark are terrible quality. First of all they will start smelling really bad really quick, the quality of cotton or whatever it’s made of it’s really low, and therefore should not be close to your body for a long time. Especially things like underwear. I’m not crazy on chemicals on materials but one part that should get a good material should be intimate parts. Just my opinion of course! Love your videos ❤ and love seeing changes in your perspective on luxury items!
When it says the item is for dry cleaning only that’s really not the case… you can wash everything pretty much hand wash and it will be fine. Luxury brands just want to protect themselves of most people who don’t know how to wash their items carefully so they put on dry clean only, for example a simple cotton t shirt from LV or Hermes might show dry clean only but its technically in not any way different from the cotton t shirt from H&M so you surely can wash it in the washing machine. It’s more of a common sense rather than reading what it says on a label, so the maintenance is not really that expensive.
Cashmere and wool is fantastic to buy, cashmere needs to be hand washed and doesn’t even need to be washed that often, I use lint remover machine to remove bobbling and all my jumpers look like new after years of wearing them. Personally never buy acrylic or polyester clothing due to sustainability.
When I was way younger I recieved a compliment for my hat that I was wearing. When she heard me say that it was from Primark, she immediately sad I shouldn't buy at Primark with a "miss know it all" tone, because it's bad for the environment...she has 5 children, I don't have children....Sometimes I feel that it's just a trend to say "woke" things without really thinking about it
Fast fashion is used loosely nowadays, but it is not just about environmental damages, it is about unethical labor practices. The middle ground companies have better labor practices, so I try to buy less in order to afford them. I am not throwing shade, or passing on judgment (I am guilty as charged) but nowadays I think super carefully before I spend money in fast companies. Anyhow, H&M/Zara/ Amazon store fronts are not really cheaper per wear. If we buy less items, we can at least buy at lesser evil companies. I agree that our financial circumstances don’t afford us access to clothes that are made in countries that practice tougher / ethical labor laws.
I try to put outfits together with the same items that I have and create a list of items I like to buy and then wait a month. By then the trend has moved on and I put a new items on the list. Amazon,g who many things I didn’t buy last year!! Listening to reasonable people like Sophie helped me shop for things that last beyond one season and that is now what I focus on.
I agree with washing things as little as possible and as cool as possible....I'm allergic to wool but wary of acrylic fibres releasing plastics into our waterways when they are washed. Never tried cashmere but I would want to be reassured about the welfare of the goats used to produce anything I buy.... So instead I have to spend winter bundled up in lots of layers.