Those advocating for reform in the business contend that sustainable fashion is still hip and available.
A charity called Pembrokeshire Frame, which works to lessen waste and support those in need, reported a 300% increase in income as a result of additional customers, reported BBC.
A Swansea-based fashion designer named Elin Manon claimed that the growing popularity of resell websites like Vinted and Depop has made sustainable fashion "much more accessible".
"Shopping our own wardrobes" is a smart place to start, according to Helen O'Sullivan of the online sustainability platform SustFashWales.
Frame seeks to combat climate change, protect the environment, and provide upskilling and support to persons in their community.
In order to coordinate sustainable fashion for its resell outlets, it hired Clare Johns, a former fashion designer, who claimed that views toward used goods were evolving."Frame has donations from the community," she stated. "We take them in, we sort them, we take garments off them, or maybe the fabric is really lovely but damaged, and then we upcycle them," she explained.
"I think that's generally what's trending nowadays, people want to be bespoke, they want to look unique and we can create that by being super sustainable."
The organization noted that people's views and shopping habits have altered as a result of the current financial situation, in addition to their conscious efforts to shun fast fashion.
Clare stated: "During the cost of living crisis since we've revamped the shop, we've had almost a 300% increase in profits."People are starting to realize the benefits of shopping here as well as the incredible quality that charity stores have to offer.
"We've obviously changed that stereotype that it's not smelly, it's not old, you can get some amazing quality pieces at affordable prices."
One of the main advantages of the project is that volunteers not only save countless kilograms of clothing from ending up in a landfill, but they also gain valuable skills.
"I just can't believe the donations we get; there is so much clothing around," volunteer Maureen Wray remarked.It simply made me reflect on how much stuff we actually need and how we shop and make purchases."
According to the organization, new measures have allowed it to cut the amount of garbage it sends to landfills from 20% to 5%, meaning that items can now be used to their intended purpose.
According to Elin, a clothes designer with vibrant patterns, consumers should be aware that "boringness is not synonymous with sustainability."
Online channels, according to her, allowed for more individualized and size- and disability-inclusive sustainable fashion, which in turn attracted a larger consumer base.
"I disagree with the common belief that trends and sustainability are incompatible.
"These trends are based on society and they're based on what happens politically, what happens in culture, so to not engage with that is not engaging in culture."However, I adore that you can still be stylish when you purchase in this approach. You don't have to visit the high street to maintain your unique personality.
Thus, in that regard. I consider this to be a really positive step.
But she did concede, saying, "I wish things would just slow down a little."
"Fast fashion used to be, but it's very fast now. There are now one or two collections per week instead of a handful per year.
"The cost to life is too high, not to mention the chemicals and shipping costs worldwide. We're constantly being sold to."
In an effort to provide more transparent and sustainable information about fashion in Wales, Helen developed the online platform Sustainable Fashion Wales. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the field.
"My issue with sustainable fashion is there is yet to be a clear definition of what it really means," she stated.
"Even the term doesn't actually make sense, because the fashion industry is currently broken, so why would we want to sustain that?"
She declared that "we need to go back to basics" and that there were already enough clothing in circulation.
"I believe that charity shops still carry a stigma, but websites like Vinted and Depop are definitely making used clothing more popular and hip.
"Asking yourself if you really need something before you buy it or if you're just wanting it is one of the best things you can do to make a change. I also strongly advise people to'shop your wardrobe.'"
"There are probably plenty of clothes lurking in there that you've forgotten about and will fall in love with again."
According to climate action group WRAP, prolonging the life of your clothing by a few months can reduce the carbon footprint of that particular garment by approximately 20–30%, therefore she stated that meant taking care of what you already had.
She went on to say that even small changes like buttoning a fastening correctly or washing your clothes at the right temperature can have a big impact and prevent us from grabbing hasty fashion.
"Whilst second-hand is great for reducing the need for new, we really need to stop consuming so much in the first place," she stated. | BGNES