sustainable fashion is not the answer, here’s what to do instead
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2023
- Is sustainable fashion a scam? In this video I'm sharing my latest thoughts on sustainable and ethical style and if think it's really a scam or not.
I've been moving away from ethical fashion and leaning into slow fashion a lot more in the past few years because I think that it's a better way to shop and is available to everyone even if you don't have a lot of money to spend on clothes.
// ARTICLES //
Greenwashing:
goodonyou.eco/greenwashing-ex...
Carbon Offsetting:
www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/th...
Polyester vs. Cotton:
www.projectcece.com/blog/546/...
Donated Clothes:
www.greenamerica.org/unraveli....
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Buying less is key. Vary your look by alternating accessories.
Yes that’s a great idea! 🥰
Very good points! I would like to add, don’t wash your clothes after every wear. They can be used several times if you just air them over night. And wool you certainly don’t need to wash more than once per season. Washing is really quite bad for the environment, it uses a lot of water and also chemicals, and electric power. Using a dryer is also really unnecessary, it works fine to airdry, outside if possible.
Another good way to buy less is to borrow clothes from friends and family! Especially if you’re going to a big do of some sort and need party clothes. There is also rental services for formal party clothes, bags and all.
Yes, these are some great tips! 🥰
How do you air clothes?
@@erikabearika3249 You just hang them up on a hanger (or over the back of a chair or something) an let them hang in the room or outside. Over night or a couple of days, whatever suits you best.
If you lived in tropical country and wore your clothes almost 8 hours. It gonna impossible to not wash yoyr clothes
Thank you. My mother doesn’t like that I don’t wash clothes everyday.
Yes, yes, yes, Val. I have come to so many of the same point of view as you have put forward here and agree that everything is not always as it seems. I have now just stopped buying, finally. I tried low buy but was failing. So I decided, I have enough! I tend to wear and re-wear the same outfits anyway because I know what suits me and what I feel most comfortable in. Thank you for this video. Excellent! 💙💛
I’m so glad we are on the same page! ❤
Yes Val and Katem...I came to same conclusion..no one can create perfectly sustainable clothing. We only encourage greenwashing and dishonesty if we only buy those who say they can. I have same purchasing methods. Imho, this encourages any manufacturers to create better quality clothing and hopefully more honest production methods. We can only do our best not be perfect.
Yes, I fully agree and have a very similar approach to shopping. I feel like a lot of people think in a very black and white manner when it comes to sustainability, like a brand is either fully sustainable & ethical or completely horrible - when obviously this is not how things work in real life! Just like no brand is fully sustainable, not all fast fashion is equally bad either. It matters whether you buy from ultra fast fashion like Shein, or a brand that's technically fast fashion but is actually implementing policies to improve sustainability and workers rights.
Yes I agree!
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for 🧡🌎
There is a specific clothing brand calling themselves sustainable and launched a collection every months and it’s kind of funny because having a “new”collection every months is not sustainable no matter what the material used … food for thought
I know, right?? 🤔🤔
@@ValKovalchuk you're both wrong, and a have very linear way of thinking. Recycled materials must be used, or they will become landfill. Using recycled materials for a "new" line is exactly one of the fundamental keys to the solution. "new lines" come out because garbage is continuously being collected and pressed into materials. How could you forget this simple step. Reducing your consumption is another key as stated - moving forward, but not the only moving part necessary to removing the already established issues plaguing the industry.
@@thelastotaku4852👍🏼
What is the brand called?
Please answer, it would reallyyy help me with a humanities project.
@@naia8516 Hi I was talking about Sézane
Love this!! 🙌 I do two of the things you mentioned: thrifting, and when purchasing fast fashion I am very careful to choose thoughtfully.
I love that Victoria! 😊
Great video! I have found that simply buying less has worked for me. For example, I have 1 church/party/special occasion dress that I love. I spent around $200 on it but have worn it over 30 times a year. I was okay spending that since I wear it so often and then haven't bought another since (I have had it for 3 years and it is still in excellent condition).
Yes that makes a lot of sense too!! ❤️
Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly. You touched on one more R - refuse. Refusing to buy the latest trends....
Yes that’s super important too!
literally that's reduce. the first R. the problem isn't with the 3R's, it's that people only actually pay attention to 'recycle' not reduce and reuse. They're in order of best to worst, reduce if you can, reuse if you need it, recycle only if the two others are impossible.
Love this! Thank you for speaking up about this. Sustainability is such a complex topic and there is so much more nuance and trade offs than brands want us to think. I like your realistic, accessible approach. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, and there really is no perfect solution in this case. Buying way less and reusing things is many times what makes the biggest impact anyway, and it also happens to be the easiest and most affordable option for almost everyone. I love the practical approach you take to so many things in life and on this channel. It really is a breath of fresh air and one I try to practice myself as well!
Thanks Alexis! I’ve been thinking this for a while now, it’s nice to hear that others are as well! ❤️
I just love how realistic you are!!! Progress over perfection!
Thanks Ivana! 😁
This is the right way of thinking we all strive for. The way previous generations was shopped is exactly slow fashion. Thank you for this video! ❤
Yes I agree! 😁
I watched a video about one company that advertised being environmentally conscious and that they recycled fabric. Turns out, they recycled the fabric in the label at the back of the neck! Yep, not much of a help since I cut those off and throw them away.
Wow that is pretty sneaky!! 😮
Thank you so much for this video, I've been having the exact same thoughts, about how to participate without being able to effort the fair trade sustainable but expensive clothes and you actually made me feel much better since i know i wear my clothes untill they fall apart and never buy any unnecessary pieces. I wish there was a way to not be any part of that but i guess there is only so much that a person can do..
Just the fact that you had no clue about how harmful shopping at target/forever21 etc. was, and now you do, is a huge change. So many people just have no idea and never even think about where their clothing comes from. That's a huge change right there! Talking about it honestly has more impact imo than one person not shopping fast fashion. Keep it up!!!
Thank you for the great video. I have been craving the thrill of picking up some new items for my summer wardrobe, and your video is just what I needed in order to redirect my attention to what I already have and also to invest in my somewhat ignored hobbies. I think I will try doing more pottery, which certainly does not require any new clothes:)
Pottery sounds so interesting!!! 😍
New subscriber here, I'm so happy you speak about this! To avoid fast fashion i decided to knit my clothes and oh my! Yarn is expensive, over processed, purchased for pennies from poor countries and then coloured in rich countries, shiped 2-3 times on different continents...
Wow that is a long trail for yarn 😥
I once spent a bunch of money on two organic cotton fleece skirts and two long-sleeved organic cotton shirts. They didn't last any longer than something I might have picked up at Walmart!
I used to buy clothing from h&m (a fast fashion UK brand), I stopped because it wasn't sustainable. The clothing became loose and frail, and wouldn't last longer than a year. Then I started buying clothes from Hollister (a fast fashion brand), I find the clothes are significantly better, but not sustainable enough. This all being said I have pieces of fast fashion clothing, that have lasted for years. Point is, it's a hit and miss.
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for
The average "rich" person doesn't wear half of their wardrobe
Love this!!!
Buy less and more versatile is my goal this year.
Love this! This is an achievable and balanced approach for the average woman.
Hi! This is kind of random but where is your bed frame from? It's super cute and I love the built in shelves!
Great video! I have definitely opened my eyes to sustainability recently. I am shopping thrift first instead of new.
I feel like people gove Goodwill a bad wrap, but I love shopping there and do donate there. One thing about Goodwill that I found out recently is a lot of them participate in textile recycling. So if its not good enough to sell, it could be used to make insulation, etc. I don't think all of them do, but it's a start.
Loved this video from you. You are so smart and balanced in your views!
Thank you! 😁😁
Excellent video. I myself believe in protecting our environment. It was here before we were. Even one lifestyle change can make a big difference. Thanks for the nod to us gardeners. Take care. 😊
Thanks for watching!
This is an absolutely great video!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 excellent tips, point of view, thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Very well said Val😊❤Im trying to buy less and buy wise also and that made more appreciative of what I have… not only I save money Im helping environment also😊
Yes, it’s better all around! 🥰
I agree to every sentence in this video, thank you Val!! 🙏❤️🌱
Yay glad to hear we are on the same page! 😁
I wanted to swap cotton for linnen but linnen get quite quickly destroyed, it gets tiny holes...so i continue with secpnd hand cotton.
Old polyester releases more toxins , personally I had clothing that was 15 years old last year i had to throw it all out ... I kept realizing it was smelling and oily film kept coming on my skin as the clothes were getting thinner....wearing old polyester is more toxic and realeases more micro plastics into water supply...which cities reuse...there are alarming amounts micro and nano plastics in our water supplies. A lot is from our clothes
A bit off topic but that book you have on top of the stack there really is a life changing book. The body keeps the score. I recognize the cover.
Wonderful video Val. Very well spoken.
Thanks Sharon! ❤️
Thank you for this insightful video. You have given me a lot to think about.
So glad you enjoyed it!
We love your video ❤
we are a great lakes not for profit, selling 100% Organic Cotton designed in canada and made in the usa.
All proceeds go towards planting trees and Great Lake Clean ups in Canada 🇨🇦
Organic farming doesn't toxify the water supply , as regular cotton or toxic polyester.
Thrifting only organic/cotton helps keep mirco plastics out of our water supplies.
I love the point about changing our buying habits and taking care of our clothes. I don’t agree with the idea that it doesn’t matter who you buy from because no solution is perfect. There is unashamedly greenwashing everywhere and there are tons of brands making efforts at sustainable changes without being fully informed and there are brands that are innovating and trail blazing and they need to be supported. I also don’t believe significant change will happen without laws and regulations so another thing we can all do is make sure we pay attention to that and vote. I also love the point that many of the thrift stores can’t sell your used clothes. I think tons of people still believe they are doing good in the world when they dump their off season dirty logo t-shirt with rips and stains in it at their favorite charity shop. No one wants that stuff. Better to compost what we can or find other uses like rag rugs, furniture stuffing and cleaning supplies.
Great overview and reminder.
GREAT video! Wish everyone would watch this!!
Thanks Anne! Feel free to share it with everyone you know 😁😁
I have 4 boys, but when I get more time I would love to sew the clothes I enjoy it :)
I have a bit of a phobia wearing someone else’s clothes.. unless I know the person who wore it like a friend..
I hope you get to try sewing soon, it's so rewarding!
I really like the way you think. I really agree with you. Thank you.
This was such an informative and motivating video ❤️ thanks Val
You are so welcome!
So perfectly said💐
This is so nicely said! ❤
Thanks Gloria!
I like your video and your idea’s!😊
Thank you! 😊
Very informative video. Tks
Thank you! ❤
Second hand is also very expensive at least in Europe
I "liked" this video. But it would be more appropriate to have a "love, love, love" option to click. Well said, Val! I'm proud of you. 😊
Aw thanks Robin! 🥰
Really im all in agree with you everything is not whats looks like
Also, air drying ur clothes helps them last longer and uses less energy, less saves money too!
There are fabrics like modal(beech tree cellulose) that are more sustainable than cotton. It takes significantly less water. Natural fibers are better than synthetic since it will eventually degrade and not add to the microplastics problem. It does matter who you shop from. Quality fiber clothes last much longer if they are cared for. The price per wear ends up being much lower for upfront cost and when you buy second hand, they’ll still look good and have a ton of wear. 100% cotton can still fall apart because it was very poor quality from a cheap fast brand. Sustainable/ethical brands, from what I’ve seen, don’t use slave labor and ethics is a big deal to them. Fast fashion brands have been tested and lead, and the carcinogenic cadmium have been found. Other chemicals that are banned for legitimate reasons as well like causing reproductive problems have come up too. So many reasons as to why it actually matters. I’ve been slowly replacing my wardrobe. I’m not rich, and I hate wasting. I just don’t think it’s pointless to look for brands that try to provide an alternative.
I stopped watching when you used the term "3rd world countries". We are not as conscious as we seem here.
Sorry, but is this a real accent ?
Do I have an accent? Yes it's how I talk 😅
I think that the only thing I dont buy second hand is food😅. You can buy everything secondhand, even cosmetics.
yah food would be hard 😅