How to Find Sustainable Fashion in the Digital Age: Thrifting Over Fast Fashion
Updated: May 26, 2022
Almost everyone is familiar with the current phenomenon of thrift culture, which appears to have taken over social media, particularly Instagram. You may or may not have participated, but this new trend that has taken over the fashion business appears tough to ignore.
It's 2022, and you can't shop without being accountable to yourself and the brands you buy from. We can no longer justify impulse purchases until we understand the distinction between "need" and "want." The more we spend and contribute to the rapid consumption of products, the faster we fill landfills, which are swiftly turning into toxic mountains in a third-world country.
So, what is thrift culture, and why has thrifting recently become so popular?
Fashion thrifting comprises purchasing clothing, accessories, or fashion items) that have been previously worn or owned, fast fashion brands' excess, or even old things that have been upcycled/repurposed and sold by thrift stores.
Many people appear to participate in thrift culture to purchase their favorite branded things at off-brand prices, but is thrifting more than just cheap purchases? Yes, absolutely! Rather than being bought from a fast-fashion company, those thrift shop jeans are suitable for your pocket and the environment.
Yes, thrifting has never been more fashionable or "trendy," but being ecologically concerned and aware of your buying has always been fantastic. In addition, thrift stores have grown more accessible, which is a good thing!
According to ThredUp's 2020 fashion resale projection, the secondhand sector will reach $64 billion in the next five years. This is significant as it indicates how thrifting has evolved into an essential participant in the fashion industry. In addition, younger generations demonstrate a solid inclination to buy secondhand to reduce fashion waste, which gives the industry a promising future.
What if I told you…
The fashion industry generates 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, accounting for 10% of our total emissions.
That pair of jeans you are about to throw away can be worth the wastage of 10,000 water gallons.
Estimated annually, 85 percent of all textiles are thrown away and in landfills; they're also a significant source of microplastic contamination in our waterways. Just washing clothes relea