Here’s the undeniable truth: the quality of products have drastically dropped in the last few years, and that means our clothing as well.
Many clothes manufactured today are not designed to last, but to fall apart after a few wears so we can buy more. The quality of materials used has changed. Artificial fibers were first developed in the mid 19th century, but their use in modern textile manufacturing did not occur until the 1940s. So, is that why your grandma still has her wedding dress but the cute top you bought last year is already worn out?
It is with the rise of fast fashion that the quality of clothing has rapidly decreased. To ensure good quality of clothing requires a ‘control mechanism between every step in the production process’ – which takes time. And that’s something a multimillion-dollar fast fashion chain doesn’t really have. Time is Money.
Patagonia is calling our current era the age of shit, or the “Shitthropocene.” The clothing company shared a new 45-minute short film on Youtube, by this name. The movie explains how humans evolved from creating durable garments to creating disposable clothes that are destroying the planet.
Rethink, refuse, resist!
For years, Apple opposed right-to-repair laws, claiming they would expose company secrets. Learning how to fix your own stuff can be simultaneously overwhelming and empowering. Why not try to fix the top hidden in your closet? Some thread, a needle and a TikTok video might be all you need. The beauty of fixing an object and keeping it around in your life, is that the object becomes very sentimental.
The planet is choking under the weight of the enormous volumes of crap that brands are pumping out. According to Greenpeace, enough textiles to fill a rubbish truck get sent to landfill or burned every second.
In the 1970s, 95% of clothing bought in the US was manufactured in the US.
However, in the mid-70s, companies began to shift their production overseas to exploit cheaper labor and materials, so they could invest more in advertisement. Corporations are responsible for creating and stoking the “new and more is better” culture we have today.
Ok, but what do I do?
Buying secondhand is a great option!
Personally speaking, I only started to buy things secondhand after I met my boyfriend. He had already bought some furniture and even a fridge (that we still have at our place after 8 years!). Facebook Marketplace, groups, flea markets, swapping things between friends; these are all more sustainable alternatives than buying.
Asking to borrow something
Why is it so hard to ask for help nowadays? We are the loneliest generation there has ever been. We don’t say “hello” to our neighbors, our friends live in different states, it’s hard to create true bonds. For that to happen, and for us to really change, we need to allow ourselves to be more vulnerable. Next time you’re out of coffee, why don’t you try knocking on your neighbor’s door to ask for some? If we get together and organize ourselves we can change the system from within.
Renting
Renting or leasing products like electronics, furniture, or even clothing can reduce waste and resource consumption compared to outright purchasing.
If you choose to buy, then buy a high quality product
Durable items that last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements. Supporting local artisans and businesses reduces carbon emissions from transportation and often supports more sustainable practices.
DIY
Why not try to connect with your inner child and build something with your own hands? Perhaps you’ll find a new talent…
Do you have any other tips on how to avoid excessive consumption? Reply to this e-mail, we would love to hear what you have to say.
See you next time.
References:
https://www.thebubble.org.uk/culture/the-decline-of-quality-how-did-we-end-up-wearing-rubbish/
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23529587/consumer-goods-quality-fast-fashion-technology
