There has been a jump in the popularity of vintage clothing in the last year.
Part of this comes from a desire to achieve a certain style, but it also comes from a desire to save our environment and produce less textile waste.
When you buy a sweatshirt at H&M or Forever 21 for example, you’re getting that sweatshirt for a lower price. Essentially, the cost in dollars is low but the environmental cost is still high.
These companies use overseas labor because it is often cheaper than producing the garments here in North America, the conditions in these overseas factories are often inhumane. On top of that, the waste that is created by producing these garments is unacceptable
Hearing this, you may think, “I no longer want to support these companies, but isn’t buying from other places expensive?”. The solution? Buying thrift and vintage.
These stores exist to give clothes a new home and to keep good quality clothing in circulation, rather than in landfills.
The idea is that if you can get a high-quality pair of denim that somebody owned before for $25, why would you buy a lower quality pair for $50, just because it is new?
I visited Filthy Rebena, a vintage store on Dundas Place. I spoke with one of the employees there about what she thinks sustainable fashion is.
“Keeping clothes out of landfills, and trying to reuse as much material as possible, even if you’re not wearing the clothing just trying to reuse and recycle to make new products. Anything you can do to reduce the waste.”
So next time you’re on the hunt for some new clothes, have a look at your local thrift store. There’s always a gem sitting on the racks and if you take the time to look you never know what you may find.
Comments