When it comes to sustainability, having fewer garments circulating is an alternative to be considered. Instead of buying cheaper pieces with no quality, purchasing long-lasting clothes can offer customers – and the planet – amazing and transformative consequences.
Fast fashion has created the mindset that quantity must come first. The “see now, buy now” philosophy tries to impose that to be stylish, you have to own a full closet with a lot of clothing. However, this has brought serious aftereffects.
Only in the USA, the volume of clothing thrown away each year has doubled in the last 20 years. It went from 7 million to 14 million tons. These garments either end up burned or in landfills, and none of these options are eco-friendly or harmless to the environment.
Therefore, consumers’ mindset needs to change. With education, more people will understand that it’s essential that our society changes its behavior to work towards sustainability, after all, there’s no Planet B.
Some brands, like AYNI, are already taking into account quality when producing their products. As the company states, they are “creating pieces that cultivate heritage via time honoring techniques and reciprocity”. For sure, this kind of policy needs to be adopted for more brands.
Here are 5 reasons why choosing long-lasting clothing can be a game-changer in multiple spheres, for the customer, and the world.
1. Long-lasting Clothes are Good for the Environment
For people to keep buying quantity, the industry needs to produce more and more. In other words, keep up with the super production.
If customers decide that instead of buying 5 t-shirts that will last for one wash, they choose to purchase 1 but with better quality, that means, it won’t be thrown away after 2 uses.
Greenpeace conducted a study that found that in Hong Kong alone, 110,000 tonnes of textiles are deposited in landfills annually. It would be like saying that the city’s citizens throw away about 1,400 blouses every minute. And, it would take at least 200 years to shred that amount of material to recycle.
Another serious environmental issue: many of the clothes are made from synthetic fibers. They are removed from non-renewable sources and release microplastics, thus damaging ecosystems. In addition, because they are not biodegradable, they take years to disappear.
The math is simple! Fewer clothes circulating, less garbage, and, in consequence, less pollution. For that, why not opt for long-lasting clothes that you’ll be able to use multiple times.
2. Clothes Can Become A Family Treasure
It’s common that families have jewelry that passes for other generations. Or even a wedding dress that the great-grandmother used and the rest of the women of the family have been using it ever since. Why not keep these traditions and have a piece of clothing that will be passed for other generations as well?
As Merel Hulst, founder of AYNI, says: “Our customers are committed to purchasing garments they could wear over decades or pass on to their daughters”. And, it’s only possible with long-lasting clothes, because even after years, they will be in usable conditions.
3. Long-lasting Clothes Are Good for The Pocket
There’s no secret! If the quality of the garment is good, it’ll last longer. That means you won’t have the need of buying repeatedly the same type of clothing. It can be considered an investment. Instead of buying 5 shirts at $10 a piece, you can purchase one that will cost a little more, but you’ll wear often.
4. Creating Effective Memories with Your Pieces
It is common to hear from our grandparents and parents that they remember the clothes they were wearing on a certain occasion. And besides that, they still have them.
Long-lasting clothes allow people to build an effective bond with them. Due to their durability, they remain intact even after being present in many moments. Imagine how amazing it would be to show your children a dress you used to wear for parties when they were younger. And more, see them in the dress in their lifetime.
5. Circular Economy is Driven By Long-lasting Clothes
A circular economy is only possible with good-quality clothing. So, if you have an intact piece that you don’t want anymore, you can sell it so other people can make use out of it. It’s a win-win game without putting any other new piece in circulation.
Did you enjoy this article? Check out this one in which we explain how fashion reflects social changes.
By Júlia Vilaça
