“So many clothes and yet nothing to wear…”
If this sounds like you, well there’s a revolution in the air!
The Fashion Revolution is for people who “love fashion, but don’t want our clothes to come at the cost of people or our planet.”
Fashion Revolution a not-for-profit global movement with headquarters in over 100 countries around the world, campaigns for systemic reform of the fashion industry with a focus on the need for greater transparency in the fashion supply chain.
On 24 April 2013 the Rana Plaza disaster occurred on the outskirts of Dhaka in Bangladesh; more than 1,130 people died after the factory building in which they were working collapsed. The disaster galvanised Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro, co-founders of Fashion Revolution, into action. Fast-forward to now and it has grown into the world’s largest global fashion activism movement.
Their message is simple. They are urging the industry to take more responsibility. If brands do not know what is happening in the factories that supply them, it makes it difficult for them to improve conditions.
Fashion Revolution asks one question: who made my clothes?
The cheap quality of fast fashion, and relentless recycling of trends, creates a system that thrives on textile waste, with no real solution for curbing the appetites of fast fashion consumers. Fashion has now become a vicious cycle of hunting down the next trend, which means our wardrobes are getting larger and less individual, while putting a heavy environmental burden on our planet.
Yet there are alternatives. The call for more sustainable fashion has never been louder, with consumers from around the world asking fashion houses to provide more transparency to their customers. There has been an overwhelming response from consumers, retailers and even celebrities.
There are many ways to support the campaign. By holding our favourite brands accountable, it is possible to help create change that minimises the risk of such a tragic disaster from recurring.
Fashion Revolution has designated the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh as Fashion Revolution Day.
The single most important thing you can do is love the clothes you already have. So continuing from where I left off last month in my Sponsored post for Clean Taos., I’ve got a few ideas on how to accomplish that while Holiday Parties scream “New dress!” or “Shirt!”
1) Rethink the way you wear your clothes this season. Think out of the box. Don’t get stuck on the way you normally wear a piece. Get creative and check out Pinterest and fashion magazines for inspiration. Break the rules and wear whatever makes you feel good. Tuck your flannel shirt into a sequined skirt and wear it during the day with combat boots. Wear white in winter and save the black for a heatwave.
2) And with that in mind, go season-less. Most clothes can be layered making them perfect for any time of year. Basics like leggings, tanks, tees, turtlenecks and cardigans stretch a woman’s wardrobe to infinity! Men can benefit from these ideas too.
3) Shop with your wardrobe in mind when adding a key new piece to your wardrobe – choose quality well made pieces that will work with your style and always factor in cost per wear when buying new.
4) Be more creative with styling what’s in your existing wardrobe. Becoming more familiar with what you already have will help you to shop smarter. As in the aforementioned tip, try on unlikely combinations – put outfits together using old clothes in new ways. Mix day with night, high with low. Wear it all. No saving anything for special occasions only!
5) Go on a treasure hunt and discover the thrill of gently worn, second hand! That new dress that’s been calling? Bag yourself a Designer brand bargain – vintage shops can be full of little treasures. Give yourself an afternoon to trawl the local thrift shops. While sifting through the racks and piles, keep an eye out for things that look current – unless you are off to a fancy dress party, you risk looking like you are wearing a costume if you attempt to emulate the actual era of the garment.
6) I find it’s helpful to go with a clear idea of what you’re looking for in mind, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or uncertain. So, decide on an outfit you need for an occasion and look for key pieces you can build around. This key piece can either be from the thrift shop or it can come from your existing closet of clothes, and if this is the case, then be sure to bring it with you. If you need inspiration the easiest place to start is back on Pinterest, with the new season’s trends.
7) A few key pieces you can mix and match, should see you nicely through all the swanky soirees you plan to attend, but before donning your new to you finery, you must first clean it.
Luckily Clean Taos is here to take care of all our special eco-friendly cleaning needs. So fill that tote bag and drop it off on your way to work. Clean’s expert staff, will know exactly what each garment requires, and your dress will look and feel brand spanking new once they’ve cleaned and pressed it to perfection!
Before you leave, you might consider checking out their small retail section – great scented drawer liners, hand milled Marseilles soaps, hard to find, refillable eco-friendly laundry detergents, wool dryer balls that can be scented with aromatherapy and more wonderful things to inspire you to take better care of your clothes.
For more on Clean Taos and all the services they offer, please visit their site linked below.
For more on the Fashion Revolution, visit them at their online site.
Photo of Clean Taos thanks to Genevieve Oswald
All other images stock files
