Screw Being Perfect! My 5 Rules For Sustainable Dress (+Announcement)

Illustration by @cosmikittyvevo aka @starlightespresso on Instagram.

One of the messages I really want to spread on my blog is that any change is good change, no matter how small it might be. If you feel like there is no room for you in the discussion about sustainability, believe me when I say that I’ve been there. You might think that the sustainability brands available don’t fit your body type, or are incompatible with your skin sensitivities, or they are way out of budget, or they just don’t fit your style. I know what it’s like to feel excluded by a movement you want to be a part of, and to feel like there are things you cannot change. However, it’s important for us to focus on what we can change if we are to make alternative fashion more sustainable. That’s why I’m sharing with you my personal sustainable fashion rules that are designed to work with imperfection.

1. You shouldn’t compromise your style to be more sustainable, but you can strive to execute your style in the most sustainable way possible.

One of the reasons why people are turned away from environmentalist movements is because they fear sacrifice. Sometimes the sacrifice that "should" be made is in conflict with one’s very identity. To use myself as an example, being into alternative styles like party kei and rainbow fashion, I have a deep love for the look of artificial dyes and fabrics. I’m not willing to give up my rainbows and sparkles and shiny clothes to be more sustainable, because I love wearing those things, and they express who I am. Because of this, I felt like there wasn’t a place for me in the sustainable fashion movement because at the time I thought they solely focused on imitating “normie” fashion or a “natural” aesthetic. However, after learning more about sustainable fashion and even minimalism, I realised that I could make it work for me and my style. Wearing the “unsustainable” items I already have is more sustainable than buying eco-clothing, so I don’t have to give up my wardrobe. I can still find “unsustainable” clothing secondhand. I can still enjoy upcycled clothing. I can still support small, local businesses and designers. My style didn’t have to change, but my new mindset helped it become more refined.

2. Your personal needs take priority.

Being sustainable is a luxury some can’t afford, and for anyone who shames anyone who wears fast fashion, they clearly don’t understand the struggles some people face. Sustainable fashion currently isn’t inclusive enough of those who are plus-size, low income, with disability, or living in remote areas. People in those scenarios, especially those who tick multiple boxes, can’t always choose a more sustainable option. If you can’t find sustainable or secondhand clothing that fits your body or budget then that is not your fault. If you want to shop secondhand but live in an area with little to no op shops/thrift stores, that’s also not your fault. If you can’t find sustainable jeans that fit a seated body type, then that is not your fault. Sometimes you can’t control where an item comes from, but you can control how you use it.

3. How you use an item is just as important as where it came from (if not more important).

One of fast fashion’s greatest problems is not just how the clothes are made, but how frequently they are bought and discarded. Even if you donate all of your unwanted clothes to charity, only 15% of donations are actually sold in Australia. To lesson how much clothing goes to landfill, one of the best things anyone can do, regardless of their situation, is to consume less. Use what you have and buy only what you will actually use. Wear every item in your closet at least 30 times. Before buying an item, think of three distinct outfits to wear with it using only what you already have in your closet. The fast fashion industry has taught us to see clothes as disposable, so whether you’re buying from corporation or op shops/thrift stores or small businesses, that fast fashion mindset will follow you until you unlearn it. Consuming less fashion and consuming it with care is still resistance and it’s still a positive change that ultimately helps the environment.

4. You can’t fight every battle, so have priorities.

We live in a world saturated with wrongs that need fixing, and unfortunately we can’t fix them all. This is why the phrase “pick your battles” exists. The fashion industry is loaded with problems and it is incredibly difficult to fix them all, especially if you have a niche aesthetic like I do. Since I’m still new to sustainable fashion, I don’t have a ton of priorities, however these are the ones I do have:

• Living wages for the garment workers.
• Any glittery items are to be biodegradable or secondhand.
• Small businesses making handmade goods, especially if they’re Australian.
• Upcycled fabric/clothing brands.
• No fast fashion wherever possible (unless it’s secondhand or a necessity).
• Selling or up-cycling unwanted clothes. Donating unwanted clothing is a last resort.
• Using what I have first and foremost.
• Consuming less.

And here are some things that might be a priority for someone else:

• Must be locally sourced and made.
• Animal welfare.
• Natural, organic fibres and/or dyes.
• Everything secondhand.
• Capsule wardrobes.
• DIY clothing.
• Philanthropy.
• Transparency.
• Water pollution.
• Fair conditions for cotton farmers.
• Microplastics.

Everyone is passionate about different things, and all that I’ve listed are worthy causes to care about, even if I’m not able to fix everything about my fashion.

5. A little bit of guilt is good, but screw being perfect.

Like I said, I’m still new to sustainable fashion, and I know what it’s like to feel torn between what you love to wear and what is best for the people and the planet. I was initially turned away from the sustainable fashion movement because none of the sustainable options presented to me at the time looked like what I wanted to wear. Even when I did join the movement, the cognitive dissonance was horrible. I felt frustrated that the most sustainable options looked “boring” or “ugly” to me, while the bold colours and textures came at a cost for the environment. But I have come to realise that the best way to get people to join any movement is to show them how they can make it work for them, rather than suggest that they sacrifice something that they love. Perhaps down the line they will be willing to make certain sacrifices, but it should never be a starting point.

Always remember that incremental change has value, and purity has none because it is unattainable. The very least I ask of people is to educate themselves, shop less, discard clothing mindfully, and celebrate the sustainable fashion movement where they can. 

ANNOUNCEMENT

We need to celebrate sustainable fashion in alternative communities. Give them a spotlight, raise them up, share their stories and wisdom. This is why I am proud to announce the Sustainable Alt Fashion Instagram account and Facebook page. This is where we will feature the coords, brands, and content of the alternative fashion lovers looking to make a positive change in the world. If you would like to be featured, be sure to follow @sustainablealtfash on Instagram and use the hashtag #sustainablealtfash on the relevant post or submit a post on the Sustainable Alt Fashion Facebook page. I look forward to sharing your content and raising awareness about the sustainable fashion movement with you.

Question of the Week: What changes are you going to make to be more sustainable in your fashion? What changes have you made already? Let me know in the comments below or on social media.