Recently, while studying in the Newton Free Library, I learned that they had just started offering Fix-It clinics, which offer instruction on upcycling, mending, and repairing clothes. Though I haven’t been able to attend the clinics yet, I have been looking at online tutorials in order to find creative ways to repurpose old clothes and reduce my need to always buy firsthand.
After researching a bit more about the topic, I discovered that thrifting has also increased in popularity over the recent years as another more ethical and environmentally friendly option to fast fashion. According to statistics compiled by Capital One, in 2023, clothing resale amounts in the U.S. actually grew seven times faster than the rate of the retail industry as a whole. Besides a lower cost, buying second hand clothing opens up a new world of opportunities, as shoppers can find vintage, one-of-a-kind, and handmaid pieces that are unavailable elsewhere. Living in Newton, thrifting is relatively easy since there are a variety of local stores to choose from such as Savers, Vivant Vintage, The Garment District, or Sister Thrift. Though, at first, I was a bit uncomfortable sifting through and wearing someone else’s clothes, I was soon able to look beyond that and realize the uniqueness of the clothes that I am able to find there.
As more people turn to thrifting, it has spread beyond flea markets and Ebay; there are over 25,000 resale stores nationwide, and there are more apps and stores to make thrifting more accessible. I have mostly relied on online platforms like Poshmark, DePop, ThredUp, and Mercari to sell and buy secondhand clothes. From a user’s perspective, these platforms are relatively easy to navigate as they have similar functions to those of other shopping apps and websites.
Before this new realization, I had spent more money on clothing than anything else. Each time that I would sit at my desk with a long night of homework awaiting me, I would find myself typing the names of my favorite stores— Garage, Lululemon, American Eagle— into the google search bar, attempting to relieve my stress with retail therapy. Alternatively, I’ll scroll on Tiktok through people’s OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) videos or open pinterest mood boards to gather inspiration for new outfit ideas and trends. Though by now my closet is overflowing, it seemed like I never had the right clothes for an occasion, leading to the constant need to purchase more out of pure desperation. In those cases, I often looked for the fastest and cheapest option.
I have always tried my best to be environmentally conscious, whether that was convincing my parents to set up a composting system at home or opting to walk as my main mode of transportation. Each year, I would discard a part of the piles of clothing that could barely fit in my closet. I was focused purely on receiving my packages as soon as possible, in time for the next event that I did not realize the detrimental environmental effects caused by fast fashion. In reality, the industry is a major source of waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and plastic pollution, highlighting the need for more people to shift to thrifting.
Though annual spring cleanouts are second nature for me and my family, I do not always realize the impact of this waste on communities and our overall environment. Data collected by Earth.org shows that the United States alone generates about 16 million tons of textile waste per year, with two-thirds of that waste inhabiting the thousands of landfills around the world. To clear up space in these overflowing landfills, the waste needs to be routinely burned, which is disruptive to local communities. For example, in 2022, around 100,000 tons of textile waste (most of which was never worn) was burned in Chile’s Atacama Desert, forcing local residents to stay indoors for two weeks due to the toxic flames. Additionally, it is easy to blame the global greenhouse gas emissions on industries such as aviation and maritime while in reality, the fashion industry accounts for about 10% more than both of them combined.
I often resorted to online shopping when I had an upcoming event and prioritized the brands that allow for the fastest turnaround times. However, I then would ignore the fact that these speedy deliveries and low prices are only possible due to an unethical system. For example, an article published by The George Washington University states that in the garment manufacturing factories located in Asia, less than 2% of workers make a living wage. Also, most of them work up to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. In order for businesses to rapidly expand and maximize their profits, their factories are also not structurally safe. In 2013, the Rana Plaza Factory collapse killed 1,100 workers and injured 2,500 more. Living in Newton, Massachusetts, I sometimes forget the privilege that I have and am unaware of the issues happening across the world. However, this is not to say that we should cut off our consumption of cheap foreign goods, as this has proven to be a major source of income for smaller countries in Asia. Instead, we should advocate for the rights of these workers that companies often try to hide with publicity.
Overall, for the sake of your wallet, the environment, and workers mistreated by the fast-fashion industry, next time you need new clothes for a dance or vacation, try thrifting rather than buying new.
