I enrolled in the Fashion Futures MA hoping to discover innovative new routes to sustainability but realised that we already have all the tools we need to build sustainable wardrobes if we want to...
Loved this! My fave secondhand option at the moment is Thrift+, partly because they do the selling work (photos etc) for you but also because anything you do sell is converted into credit to reuse with them on more secondhand clothes OR can be donated to charity. I’ve found them a really easy way to have a clear out/ pick up a few great pieces secondhand that have been on my list as gaps in my wardrobe.
I've tried Thrift+ too for selling for exactly the reasons you mention - particularly the charitable aspect. Personally I found them great for selling but less good for shopping for myself as I found the choice quite limited? But that was a while ago and so I need to take another look!
Thanks for taking the time to reply - it is much appreciated.
Excellent Gemma. It was great to read about your research. Looking forward to hearing about where you go from here. Keep up the good work, we need you!
Thanks for sharing Gemma. I agree that sustainability is what used to be normal. My greatest sustainable fashion role model is my Grandmother, who was talented at seeking out quality, repairing, reusing and upcycling: a talented knitter she used to lengthen my mother’s jumpers by unravelling and knitting extra length to cuffs and body. A skirt she knitted for my mum in the 1950’s has been handed down and most recently worn by her great grand daughter in the 2020’s. I often think of her when I am tempted to be spend/ buy, and hope that our children will be able to find similar considerate role models in our generation.
I totally agree! I often think about how my grandparents consumed as a model for sustainable living. My gran bought two dresses a year, one in the Spring and one in the Autumn, she saved up for them and put a lot of love and thought into choosing them.
And she kept them for years. First they were for best, then for going out, then for everyday and eventually for housework.
I'm not sure I could do just two things a year but I can keep trying.
Loved reading this Gemma. The masters sounds fascinating but you're right, I think we already know what needs to be done! I've been trying to build up a spreadsheet of my wardrobe for a while now but keep doing it in chunks - it really does make you take stock of how much we already have!
I have a spreadsheet with everything listed by category. It took me a while to get there and I had to have several clear outs before I got my wardrobe in check and could actually see everything in one place to count it.
The good news is that once you've done it, it is really easy to keep updated.
Thanks for taking the time to message - it is much appreciated.
A timely and insightful look into the impact of fast fashion and the journey toward more sustainable consumption. Gemma’s personal experience and the actionable tips she shares resonate deeply with the growing movement toward mindful fashion. From reducing new purchases to embracing secondhand shopping, it’s clear that making small, thoughtful changes can have a big impact on both personal consumption and the environment. As someone involved in sourcing, I believe the fashion industry has a responsibility to support these efforts by prioritizing ethical manufacturing and sustainable sourcing practices. How do you think the role of technology can further support sustainability, particularly in reducing waste and improving garment lifecycles?
– Best regards, the team at Ryzeal Sourcing, where we’re committed to ethical sourcing and supporting sustainable fashion practices
Loved this! My fave secondhand option at the moment is Thrift+, partly because they do the selling work (photos etc) for you but also because anything you do sell is converted into credit to reuse with them on more secondhand clothes OR can be donated to charity. I’ve found them a really easy way to have a clear out/ pick up a few great pieces secondhand that have been on my list as gaps in my wardrobe.
Hi Jo
I've tried Thrift+ too for selling for exactly the reasons you mention - particularly the charitable aspect. Personally I found them great for selling but less good for shopping for myself as I found the choice quite limited? But that was a while ago and so I need to take another look!
Thanks for taking the time to reply - it is much appreciated.
All the best
Gem
Excellent Gemma. It was great to read about your research. Looking forward to hearing about where you go from here. Keep up the good work, we need you!
As always, thank you for all the support and encouragement xx
Thanks for sharing Gemma. I agree that sustainability is what used to be normal. My greatest sustainable fashion role model is my Grandmother, who was talented at seeking out quality, repairing, reusing and upcycling: a talented knitter she used to lengthen my mother’s jumpers by unravelling and knitting extra length to cuffs and body. A skirt she knitted for my mum in the 1950’s has been handed down and most recently worn by her great grand daughter in the 2020’s. I often think of her when I am tempted to be spend/ buy, and hope that our children will be able to find similar considerate role models in our generation.
Hi Claudia
I totally agree! I often think about how my grandparents consumed as a model for sustainable living. My gran bought two dresses a year, one in the Spring and one in the Autumn, she saved up for them and put a lot of love and thought into choosing them.
And she kept them for years. First they were for best, then for going out, then for everyday and eventually for housework.
I'm not sure I could do just two things a year but I can keep trying.
All the best
Gem
Loved reading this Gemma. The masters sounds fascinating but you're right, I think we already know what needs to be done! I've been trying to build up a spreadsheet of my wardrobe for a while now but keep doing it in chunks - it really does make you take stock of how much we already have!
Hi Skye
I have a spreadsheet with everything listed by category. It took me a while to get there and I had to have several clear outs before I got my wardrobe in check and could actually see everything in one place to count it.
The good news is that once you've done it, it is really easy to keep updated.
Thanks for taking the time to message - it is much appreciated.
All the best
Gem x
A timely and insightful look into the impact of fast fashion and the journey toward more sustainable consumption. Gemma’s personal experience and the actionable tips she shares resonate deeply with the growing movement toward mindful fashion. From reducing new purchases to embracing secondhand shopping, it’s clear that making small, thoughtful changes can have a big impact on both personal consumption and the environment. As someone involved in sourcing, I believe the fashion industry has a responsibility to support these efforts by prioritizing ethical manufacturing and sustainable sourcing practices. How do you think the role of technology can further support sustainability, particularly in reducing waste and improving garment lifecycles?
– Best regards, the team at Ryzeal Sourcing, where we’re committed to ethical sourcing and supporting sustainable fashion practices