My awareness of overconsumption and “fast fashion”

“Man is like nature, he abhors a vacuum. –Victor Hugo

This describes what led me, a few years ago, to fall into the world of overconsumption and fast fashion .

Since I was young, my parents have taught me that money does not fall from the sky and that we have to work hard to afford our most coveted objects, while leaving money aside for the unexpected. the life. I have always respected this doctrine to the letter. It is true that the pride of affording a coveted object after several hours of hard work makes said object much more interesting than if we had had it without having to make any effort. I still treated myself to luxuries like dining out with friends or a new SLR camera, but never despite my savings…until the day I started working as a clerk in a clothing store. .

My dazzling entry into the world of overconsumption.

Spending entire days touching, folding, placing and selling clothes creates needs. Especially when you're at the forefront of discounts… a new T-Shirt for just $5, what girl can say no to that – even if she already has four of these at home?

At the time, I was living in an apartment in Sherbrooke for studies, but I came back to my parents on weekends to work. I therefore benefited, without realizing it, from twice as much storage space. It wasn't until I had to take my entire wardrobe back to my parents' house that I realized how much clothing I had hoarded. A sorting was then necessary. I reviewed each item that made up my wardrobes to realize that many still had their price tag and had never been worn . Most had only been worn once or twice.

We'll admit it, $5 or $10 is inexpensive for a piece of clothing, but when it stays in your closet and is never worn, it's expensive to use.

It was so much so that almost all of my pay went into buying clothes.

prise de conscience surconsommation fast fashion

Credit: Gaia & Dubos

The beginning of my university internships led me to quit my job in the store and by the same token to reduce my excessive consumption of clothes. I was buying less, but I was not buying better. When the need arose to replace a piece, I always turned to fast fashion options at a ridiculous price.

AWARENESS

The click in my consumer habits happened about 2 and a half years ago, after a 6 month trip abroad to live only with the contents of a suitcase. I realized that I could survive very well with only two pairs of pants, ten tops and four pairs of shoes. On the other hand, when you are limited to a few songs, you drastically increase their utilization ratio and you quickly realize that poor quality is expensive. Sometimes it's better to pay a little more for products that will last.

During this same period, I carried out my end-of-master's project on the influence of the country of origin and the perception of "made in canada" internationally . So I poked through hundreds of books on the impact of local manufacturing and working conditions in garment factories in developing countries. I was also interested in the slow fashion trend and the environmental impact of our purchasing decisions.

These hours of research and this contribution of new knowledge have led me to review my way of consuming and to assess the impact of my individual decisions on the planet.

It's rare, when we're holding a $5 Forever 21 sweater in our hands, that we think about everything that goes into making it. Whether it's the materials used in the design , the process of making the products, or the modes of transport used to get our garments from one continent to another, often our final decision will be based solely on price. What gives me the most bang for my buck?

Credit: Miljours

The need to dress is a primary need. However, the need to be dressed in the latest fashions and to have a packed wardrobe is a luxury. Money does not fall from the sky and we have to work hard to afford our most coveted objects. So I reviewed my approach to buying clothes. From objects of convenience, they have become objects of desire. From the rank of a pint of milk, they rose to that of a reflex camera. I made the decision not to buy any more on a whim, but to reflect and inform myself before the purchase. When a new piece of clothing catches my eye, I don't buy it immediately. I take the time to really think about it and assess if I really need it.

A FEW TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR CONSUMPTION

Credit: Anuschka Rees

1. Make a detailed and up-to-date inventory of the clothes you own.

This exercise, which may seem futile, is very practical. When you have seen the number of t-shirts, sweaters, sweaters, pants, jeans, jackets, coats, etc. that make up your wardrobe, you will wonder more about the usefulness of adding a new piece to it.

2. Get informed.

Take the time to read the clothing label. Where was it made? What materials is it made of? And ask yourself the question, is this information in line with my values?

3. Evaluate the cost per wear of the garment.

How many times do you plan to wear it? Then divide the price of the garment by the number of times you plan to wear it. Depending on the number obtained, assess whether this figure fits your budget.

4. Take the time to compare similar items.

This will allow you to gauge which piece is the best buy, much like buying a quality camera.

The Local Signed directory: MY FAVORITE TOOL

When I discovered the Signé Local repertoire a little over a year ago, I immediately fell in love and that's why I wanted to get involved in this beautiful project. The directory is my number one go-to tool for discovering new eco-responsible, locally-made brands.

Here are some of my favorites:

For women:

Reviewed by Maud Duchesne

Cover: Clothes&Roads