Second-hand/thrift/circular economy (whatever you want to call it) only works if people start by buying quality clothes that last long enough to be re-worn. If you are donating or consigning crappy clothes, you aren't solving any problems.
There are plenty of brands that don’t break the bank that make long wearing, quality clothing.
Cheaply made, and cheap looking copies of clothes and accessories hopefully will become a thing
Of the past. I have a max Mara suit and 2 coats, Ralph Lauren shirts, and 2 Escada blazers, and 3 Longchamp leather bags that have been with me through two husbands, 5 presidents, and menopause.; still looking good...and lots of not so exclusive brands that are great.
I love what Sue said below me and I also was not impressed by a goal to use 50% recycled materials by 2030. To me, 50% is too low and I know that this is a very fast-approaching date so they're keeping things realistic, but it is a good example of how the actual details from these kinds of events do matter... It all makes me think that the event itself was more ceremonial than anything. They want to have a performative panel that suggests they care just from the act of having the panel itself. We should be demanding more of brands like Uniqlo.
Yes, I suspect that it is not possible for a corporation like Uniqlo to balance the needs of the planet with the expectations of shareholders. I try to think about the sustainability in fashion issue realistically instead of idealistically -- like, I don't think Uniqlo or any other brand of its ilk is going to go away, which would be best for the planet. Plus, a lot of people can only afford, through no fault of their own, to buy clothes at the Uniqlo price point. Anyway, this is why I think the only true way forward is government regulation of the fashion and other industries.
I agree with all of that! And thank you for your insights. I really appreciate how you see the whole picture on such a macro scale as far as the fast fashion industry thriving because of the wage inequality issues that create the environment we're in. Consumer culture is also a fascinating aspect... I would love it if you'd check out my substack as I'm hoping to try to help the vintage fashion clothing online find its buyers more easily. (High quality vintage, I mean.)
Second-hand/thrift/circular economy (whatever you want to call it) only works if people start by buying quality clothes that last long enough to be re-worn. If you are donating or consigning crappy clothes, you aren't solving any problems.
Spot on.
There are plenty of brands that don’t break the bank that make long wearing, quality clothing.
Cheaply made, and cheap looking copies of clothes and accessories hopefully will become a thing
Of the past. I have a max Mara suit and 2 coats, Ralph Lauren shirts, and 2 Escada blazers, and 3 Longchamp leather bags that have been with me through two husbands, 5 presidents, and menopause.; still looking good...and lots of not so exclusive brands that are great.
Thanks for covering this vital issue, Amy. (I think about companies like Shein and weep at their very existence in 2023, with everything we know.)
Shein is terrible, yes. And thank you!
That closed loop system about water bottles is so interesting. Never knew that
I’ve been thrifting at my local Value Village (secondhand biz) and I’ve been seeing a rise in Shein clothes. Don’t know whether to laugh or cry 🤷🏻♀️😒
that is... astonishing. or maybe given the volume they produce... expected.
I love what Sue said below me and I also was not impressed by a goal to use 50% recycled materials by 2030. To me, 50% is too low and I know that this is a very fast-approaching date so they're keeping things realistic, but it is a good example of how the actual details from these kinds of events do matter... It all makes me think that the event itself was more ceremonial than anything. They want to have a performative panel that suggests they care just from the act of having the panel itself. We should be demanding more of brands like Uniqlo.
Thank you for the information!
Thank you for reading!
Yes, I suspect that it is not possible for a corporation like Uniqlo to balance the needs of the planet with the expectations of shareholders. I try to think about the sustainability in fashion issue realistically instead of idealistically -- like, I don't think Uniqlo or any other brand of its ilk is going to go away, which would be best for the planet. Plus, a lot of people can only afford, through no fault of their own, to buy clothes at the Uniqlo price point. Anyway, this is why I think the only true way forward is government regulation of the fashion and other industries.
I agree with all of that! And thank you for your insights. I really appreciate how you see the whole picture on such a macro scale as far as the fast fashion industry thriving because of the wage inequality issues that create the environment we're in. Consumer culture is also a fascinating aspect... I would love it if you'd check out my substack as I'm hoping to try to help the vintage fashion clothing online find its buyers more easily. (High quality vintage, I mean.)