Sustainable Fashion

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Sustainability seems to be the buzz word of the moment and as we know applies to all kinds of environmental issues.  One of the latest to be considered by a Parliamentary Committee is fast fashion, where cheap and effectively disposable clothing panders to consumerism. Probably because of the cost, very few people these days restrict their clothing to expensive garments made of 100% natural fibres like silk and wool. Instead cheap garments are bought in mass by masses, hardly worn and then jettisoned (I know because I have sorted some of it when working in Save the Children's local charity shop). With the release of plastic fibres in the wash and toxins in its production, as well as exploitation of labour and the bulk created for landfill or incineration, it is not good for the planet.

The only obvious solution seems to be for us to buy fewer items, treating them with care and mending them (can anyone actually remember how to darn socks?) or alternatively to wear less. As nakedness or caveman style are hardly appropriate in our climate then the answer surely lies in reducing consumption.

Fortunately retirement is a great place to start. Planet Retirement is not a location for fine fashion. This enables me to wear the same clothes day after day, even when they look shabby, are holed or dirty but then I am working in the garden, painting, decorating or undertaking Project Restoration. When finally unfit for human dressing, they still get used as rags.

Yes, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," the mantra for sustainability, now applies to so many facets of daily living from water conservation and energy generation to food and the wardrobe. Of course this could be seen as a ready excuse for people of a slovenly disposition like myself to seek the moral high ground but, personally, I prefer to view it as an opportunity for those in retirement to joyfully lead the way. 


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