Hello, all! Is your week off to a good start? Honestly, I am still adjusting to having a more open ended schedule. After 13 years of having a 9 to 5, I am working hard to stay productive without that structure. My to do list currently includes: studying for the real estate licensing exam, substitute teaching at a local private school, applying to jobs that may be a good fit, and working on the blog. I am really enjoying having a varied schedule, which includes the opportunity to work on projects that I’ve wanted to start for a while.
Starting a blog has taught me so much already, and has introduced me to a community of bloggers who are rejecting fast fashion in favor of more sustainable clothing options. Prior to returning to Instagram, I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that the fashion industry is one of the biggest sources of toxic pollution. When cleaning out my closet and taking bags of clothes to Goodwill, I never thought about where those items will end up if no one buys them.
I think of fast fashion like fast food; it is produced quickly and for a low price. I have to admit that my favorite places to shop, like Zara and H&M, are the biggest names in the fast fashion industry, and are major contributors to problems like pollution and exploitation of garment workers. I shop at these stores because they provide fashionable clothes at a reasonable price point. But what are practical steps that we can make to reduce the negative impacts of fast fashion?
I appreciate that both Zara and H&M have introduced sustainable clothing lines, using materials and manufacturing processes that are less harmful for the environment. Both of these retailers also have a clothing recycling program, so you can bring your bags of old clothes to them! These steps are likely just the beginning, and prove that sustainability is an issue that all retailers will have to grapple with eventually.
Zara is one of my go-to brands, and I have no intention to stop shopping there. Instead, I plan to buy items that are of good quality and that are wardrobe staples that I will wear for years to come. Zara has quality basics like denim and sweaters that will likely last for years. Their outerwear is fantastic, and includes many classic pieces that will never go out of style. I think the key to shopping at fast fashion retailers is to stick to the classics, and really consider how often you will wear an item before purchasing.
Does a retailer’s environmental impact influence where you shop?
XOXO, Persia
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