Activity One - Information

You are clearly here as you either like fashion, purchase a lot of clothes or are a geographer. Possibly all three. As someone who owns way more clothes (and shoes) than I need to, am I unusual? A quick AI search would put me firmly in the 'normal' for someone in a high income country. In Switzerland on average 210CHF is spent per household per month but the high amount is often to do with the fact that our clothes cost approximately 25% more than the surrounding countries. The USA, France and the UK spend around 2.5% of their annual salary is spent on clothes (taken from Bundesamt fur Statistik). On average this translates into between 30-60 items of clothing. This is also a gender issue as women spend 40% more on clothing than men. Just take a look at the high street to see how many shops are dedicated to men over women along with the huge increase in floor space that is dedicated to women's fashion over men. 

But despite all of the data and facts given about fashion multiple sources suggest that our shopping habit will continue to increase rather than decrease. Therefore do we really consider the impact that our shopping choices are having on people and the environment?

Watch the YouTube clip and mind map the following:

• What is the issue?

• What examples are given about the value of clothing?

• What can clothes give us?

• Who is causing the problem of clothing waste?

• Why is valuing the things that we own a climate solution?

Useful Resources

Activity Two - Impact

One the main aspects of the YouTube clip was how we view and value the items we own. Yet we throw away 92 million tonnes of textile waste a year and 85% of that often ends up in a landfill. In Europe that translates to 12kg of clothing being thrown away every year. In fact, between 10-40% (80-150 billion garments) of clothing produced is never sold (The Guardian). Only 8% of old clothing is reused or recycled. Where does it end up? 

1. Complete the visible thinking process of 'See, Think, Wonder' for the two images in the 'Useful Resources' box. 

Useful Resources

Activity Three - Solutions - Debate

You will be divided into teams to create clear arguments on why the solution you have been given to focus on is the best at reducing the impact that fast fashion is having on the planet. We are going to focus on leasing, slow fashion and online retail sites. 

Solutions - Part One - Leasing 

So the impact we are having on our planet due to the choices we make doesn't look good. But that doesn't mean we can't change the way that we view, buy and 'own' our clothing. There has been an increase in the amount of clothing that we hire, especially when it comes to the big ticket items of wedding dresses, wedding guest dresses, prom dresses, etc. Could this idea of hiring or borrowing clothing translate into the staple item of a pair of jeans?

1. Watch the YouTube clip about the Dutch company - MUD Jeans.

2. Discuss in small groups if you would rent your jeans. Be prepared to share your ideas with the group. You can use the 'to read' link below to find out more about MUD Jeans and the types of products that they sell. 

Useful Resources

Solutions - Part Two - Slow Fashion

Another option for a fashion fix is to move towards purchasing slow fashion choices. Slow fashion is often seen as a mindful approach to our clothing and with this comes quality, sustainability and ethics. The key is to be more intentional with our purchases and because the slow fashion is more expensive we generally buy less of it. The key problem is do we all have that choice to move towards slow fashion? How do we find these companies? How do these companies celebrate who they are? 

We are going to look at a company called Sunspel. Am I biased by looking at this brand? Absolutely! I am English from Nottingham, which is where the company's factory is located and my dad used to be the factory manager. What my dad doesn't know about producing T-shirts and men's underwear is not worth knowing! The company began in 1860 and has been located in Long Eaton (where I had my first teaching job) since 1937 and is often seen as a heritage English brand. Their clothing is made from cashmere, silk, merino wool and Sea Island cotton. So the focus is really on luxury and quality "...the values of quality, innovation and craftsmanship have remained at the heart of our business." (Sunspel). 

They have also highlighted the fact that "Our products stood the test of time, they have always been of the highest quality and are made ethically and responsibly." (Sunspel).

Useful Resources

Solutions - Part Three- Resale Sites

A third option would be to look at buying from resale sites online. Second hand sales are booming and globally we are expected to spend over $350 billion dollars by 2028 (GlobalData). This growth has often been credited to the rise in cost of living, an increase in ownership of smart phones and an increase in the concerns over sustainability. Second hand clothing has lost its fusty musty image.  

Sites such as Vinted or Depop have exploded over the last 5 years but actually they are older than we think. Vinted was founded in 2008 in Lithuania. It started as a small website for swapping clothes and is now Europe's leading second-hand fashion platform. It operates in 23 countries and has over 105 million users. The emphasis is that is sustainable as the clothing is being passed on but is it?

Useful Resources