El tema de hacer algo por reducir mi consumo de fast fashion ha estado dando vueltas por mi cabeza en los últimos años, sobre todo después de haber colaborado con una asociación de moda sostenible en Barcelona. A partir de ese momento, comencé a barajar posibilidades para poco a poco encaminar mi consumo de moda a elecciones pensadas a consciencia que sean respetuosas con el medio ambiente y de paso, permanecer más tiempo en mi armario./ After having collaborated with a sustainable fashion association in Barcelona, the idea of doing something to reduce my consumption of fast fashion has been in my head in recent years. From that moment, I began to consider possibilities to gradually direct my shopping habits to conscious choices that can be respectful with the environment, incorporating garments that can stay for longer in my closet.
LET’S GO SLOW…. 💸
*Léase como fast fashion aquellas marcas que producen en serie y a un bajo costo para poner en las tiendas las últimas tendencias, el movimiento fast fashion también hace referencia al comportamiento del consumidores: la moda se ha vuelto democrática y cualquiera puede verse como en un editorial de revista, pero las piezas se desechan al finalizar la temporada…. Pero el objetivo de este post no es señalar el impacto negativo del fast fashion (para eso ya hay documentales en Netflix como The True Cost que deja peor cuerpo que cualquier película de terror)./ *Fast fashion are those brands that are produced in mass at a very low cost to bring the latest trends, fast fashion movement also refers to the behavior of consumers: fashion has become democratic and anyone can look like a model in a fashion editorial, but pieces are discarded at the end of the season… But the aim of this post is not to point out the negative impact of fashion fashion (if you want to explore that, search for some documentaries, like The True Cost on Netflix, it is more terrifying than any horror movie).
Lamentablemente mi presupuesto por ahora no es suficiente para llenar mi armario con elecciones 100% sostenibles, pero creo hay pequeñas acciones basadas en la consciencia, que poco a poco nos pueden acercar a un consumo de moda sostenible./ Unfortunately my budget right now is not enough to fill my closet with 100% sustainable choices, but I think there are small actions based on consciousness, that little by little can get us closer to a sustainable fashion consumption.
PENSAR EN FRÍO / COLDLY CALCULATED
Esto es como ir al supermercado con hambre y las trampas de las tiendas fast fashion son tan macabras como sutiles. Últimamente intento salir con las manos vacías de estas tiendas para después sopesar la decisión de compra en casa y con la mente fría: ¿Se trata sólo de una tendencia que se evaporará mañana?, ¿necesito una cuarta camisa estampada? Esto es una decisión que tiene que ver con gustos y necesidades personales, pero el 90% de las veces consigo dejar el dinero en mi cuenta bancaria./ This is like going hungry to the supermarket, and there are many macabre and subtle traps used by fast fashion stores. Lately I try to leave these stores empty-handed and then I think calmly about that piece at home: Is it just a trend that will evaporate tomorrow? Do I need a fourth printed shirt? This is a decision that has to do with personal tastes and needs, but 90% of the time I decide to pass, keeping the money in my bank account.
UPCYCLING
Concepto que ha inundado blogs y cuentas de Instagram. Revender, reparar y reutilizar son palabras clave en un movimiento donde estrenar pasa a segundo plano: desde las tiendas vintage y los mercadillos (los mejores tesoros los vas a encontrar en uno de estos lugares y no en una tienda fast fashion), pasando por talleres y tutoriales que te enseñan a reparar y transformar tus prendas, hasta aplicaciones como Vestiarie Collective donde se pueden adquirir piezas de lujo de segunda mano (verificadas) con descuentos… Bueno, seguimos estrenando pero bajo otra lupa./ A concept that has flooded blogs and Instagram accounts. Reselling, repairing and reusing are key words in a movement where buying something new moves to the background: from vintage stores and flea markets (you’ll find the best treasures here and not in fast fashion stores), through workshops and tutorials that teach you how to repair and transform your clothes, to apps such as Vestiarie Collective where you can buy second-hand luxury pieces (verified) with discounts … Well, we’re still buying but taking this word to a different level.
VELO COMO INVERSIÓN/ SEE IT AS AN INVESTMENT
Una vez por temporada me premio con una compra un poco más cara de lo habitual, asegurando que se trate de una pieza que pueda permanecer por el armario por años, y es que una de las cosas que más me molestan del fast fashion es la poca durabilidad de las cosas. Aquí viene la pregunta, ¿es mejor tener 50 camisetas baratas o 3 de buena calidad? Un capricho de una marca de lujo o una pieza de algún proyecto de moda que genera empleos a trabajadores de mi ciudad es siempre una buena idea./ Once per season I reward myself with a little more expensive purchase, ensuring that it is a piece that can remain my wardrobe for years, and that’s a thing that bother me the most about fast fashion: the durability. Here comes a question, is it better to have 50 cheap t-shirts or 3 good quality t-shirts? A whim of luxury brand or a piece of a fashion project that generates jobs for workers in my city is always a good idea.
*Ojo: no por ser una marca cara significa que es sostenible y respetuosa con el medio ambiente. Lujo y moda sostenible son conceptos que no siempre van de la mano./ *Notice: expensive brands do not always stand for sustainability and respectful with the environment. Luxury and sustainable fashion are concepts that do not always go together.
LA VERSATILIDAD/ THE VERSATILITY
Esto aplica tanto para fast fashion como para slow fashion: ¿puedo utilizar este suéter en tres o cuatro combinaciones? Esto tiene que ver con mantener una coherencia con el resto de tus prendas y pasar del “no tengo nada que ponerme” a ampliar las posibilidades con prendas que admitan múltiples combinaciones. En esto no hay una respuesta correcta y si te ves capaz de vestir ese top color fucsia infinidad de veces, bien por ti./ This applies to both, fast fashion and slow fashion: can I use this sweater in three or four outfits? This has to do with maintaining a coherence with the rest of your clothes and going from “I have nothing to wear” to expanding the possibilities with garments that admit multiple combinations. There is no correct answer and if you see yourself capable of wearing that fuchsia top many times, good for you.
Dejar de comprar en tiendas fast fashion supone una labor titánica y el panorama no cambiará de la noche a la mañana. ¿Ustedes han cambiado sus hábitos de consumo de moda?/ Stop shopping at fast fashion stores is a titanic job and the big picture will not change overnight. Have you changed your shopping habits in the latest months?
moving away from fast fashion is definitely a goal of mine (I try to thrift as much as possible), but it is definitely a struggle! Thank you for these tips, it is making me rethink a few things!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Yes Yuka, is also one of my goals for this year but sometimes it takes time 🙂
Yes it is all quite complicated. And I saw that documentary very scary. For me I am on a mission to do a lot more pre-loved shopping. And buying investment pieces and trying out renting clothes as well and looking in to sustainable labels.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Yes Allie! I’m on the same boat! Renting clothes is also a thing we could try, especially if we have an special day to celebrate: wedding, anniversary, graduation, etc…
Such a great and educating article! I like how you pointed out that luxury brands aren’t necessarily sustainable. Moreover, I heard that luxury brands (even those who are technically speaking made in Europe) sometimes use toxic paints and use immigrant workers who work in terrible conditions (in Europe). Yes, it is true that people will buy less if they buy luxury items (because who can afford it?). However, there is another side of the coin there, I think and that is a simple fact- sustainability as such is not necessarily connected with a price tag. People tend to appreciate designer goods more and take better care of them, so in a way buying designer and luxury items can make people buy less (because only a few can afford to buy luxury items often) and can help people to gut down on fast fashion. In that sense, investing in luxury brands makes sense. Still, even among designer and luxury brands there are some that are sustainable and some that aren’t.
Honestly, I rarely find myself coveting luxury items because I know there is no way I could afford them but I would probably buy more local designer items if could afford them. In fact, I think it makes sense to buy from local and small designers because that way we’re supporting independent trade and talent. Plus, small businesses genuinely tend to be more more sustainable and original than big corporations. By buying locally made items we are supporting the local economy. For independent artists, designers and artisans, any support is priceless.
Buying second hand and vintage is such a great thing to do. I totally agree with you on that. We can find real gems in thrift and second hand stores. I don’t shop second hand very often because they aren’t much second hand shops here, but I do own a lot of vintage items …and I wear them on every day basis. I’ve been collecting vintage pieces over the years from family members and friends. Often I had to persuade my family members not to dump them in the trash. I love that people are finally realizing that quality made vintage items are actually priceless.
Another thing I love is you art!!!!
Thanks for your priceless comment Ivanna, you’re the best and I really appreciate your words. I like to see that you’re also concerned about this topic and I like to see that you’re always including second hand articles in your OOTD posts 🙂
Great article. I love how you say you don’t want to definitely stop to shop in fast fashion brands but you just want to not shop as much. I’m also trying to think more about an item before to buy it as my wardrobe is already pretty full. But no matter which piece I pick I want to wear it a lot. Because even if the trend fade fast it’s gonna be trendy again in just one or 2 years haha.And I hate to see influencers who change of outfits too many times a day. I always wonder how many times they wash their clothes in a week haha.
And I’m glad I’m able to make my own clothes. It also helps me to make something I really want.
And I love how you mention luxury brands are not always sustainable brands.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Thanks for your comment, Margot! Yes, I won’t stop buying fast fashion for a while (at least while I can’t not afford everything for a luxury sustainable brand haha) but I’ll try to adapt my shopping habits as much as possible 🙂
And making your own clothes is such a good ability, not only good for sustainability but also taking about creativity.
have a lovely weekend!
me encontó este post! me alegro mucho de leer que estas trabajando en tu compra consciente y a pesar que mucas veces no lo logramos al 100% me pone feliz que día a día pensemos más en estos pequeños pasos.
por mi parte inicio desde la comida a no comprar nada que no voy a tener tiempo de comer, hasta amar los mercadillos y cada artículo que lleva una historia detrás. El fast fashion es una droga muy poderosa, pero podemos sanarnos <3
que tengas un lindo día Fungi !
http://www.amoriosdelamoda.blogspot.com
Querida Carmen, muchísimas gracias por leer esto y me alegra que tú también estés aplicando este principio desde la comida, tienes razón, a veces compramos tantas cosas que terminan en la basura….
Lo mejor para ti!
Hey Fungi!
Your illustrations are so great and I love Fungi’s green!!
I agree you, and recently I have gotten nothing at some fast fashion shops.
I had taken five snap photos for a Japanese fashion magazine for 7 years, so I used to need lots of trendy items. At that time, I got some fast clothes.
Last year, that my serial article was suddenly terminated, and I was shocked and sad for a while.
Now I think it was important opportunity for me.
After I haven’t needed lots of trendy items for that magazine, I can concentrate on my style.
I noticed that I love using a few items for a long time, and I love thinking of mixing and matching.
It is so hard to stand to buy a new items when I am busy, so I try to live slowly although it has been difficult yet.
I am grateful to you always make me realize!!
Thank you so much, Fungi <3
akiko
Thanks for your time, Akiko! Your comments about my work always cheer me up 🙂
Yes, this kind of shopping habits also help us to pump our style to the next level right? The same happens to me, I prefer to use few same things for a long time (like my eternal leather jacket or the good quality sunnies) and then match these pieces with other trendy things.
Hope you’re having a lovely day!
You diid a great work on this article, Pablo, is very inspiring and informative!!!
Really I’ve been thinking to moving away from fast fashin since some times, but it’s soooooo hard!
For me, that live is a city full of fast fashion stores everywhere, it’s almost impossible to resist every time to the cute newest pieces in the windows, especially if I’m tired or stressed….
So I’m starting to buy only shops that have some kind of eco-sustainable politic (I’ve found them on greenpeace site), so at least I don’t damage the world very much.
Really I would do as you said and buy only pieces of high qulity and good facture, but even these charateristics are pretty hard to find on pieces that I even like (compared to fast fashion), so the entire quation is still very confused and complicated to me.
Your article is very helpful anyway, your ideas are definitely smart and praticable to start a new way to approach fahsion! ( and your illustration really amazing!)
XO
S
https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com
Thanks for the compliment, Silvia! I’m glad you liked this post!
And yes, I totally understand you: moving away from fast fashion brand sounds easy but it is not…. they’re everywhere and they are usually the easiest option since they’re so aware of trends right?
Hope you find ways to have better fashion habits in your own possibilities 😀
Best!
I love it! This has been on my mind lately as well. Fast fashion is easy and it’s so easy to fall into the trap of buying what is hot and new for the sake of being hot and new. I am proud to say that I haven’t purchased clothes in over a month (this is a huge deal for me), but I am willing to take a step forward. Gracias por la inspiración Pablo!! Me alegra mucho leer tus posts!
P.S. Ya encontré el documental True Cost, pero me da miedo verlo 0_0
PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com
♥ | INSTAGRAM
Thanks for your comment, Perlita! Glad to know you’re willing to take the challenge and move away from all these options little by little!
PS: Te recomiendo mucho True Cost, pero es de esas cosas que después de verlas te deja una sensación muy rara en el cuerpo 🙁
Hey Fungi,
This post definitely makes you think about where you’re spending your money and on what. I think it’s super important to be smart with your money even when spending it on clothing. No one wants to see a piece hanging in their closet that wasn’t warn even once. It’s like the money you have spend on it is starring back at you hahaha!
Have a wonderful new week!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thanks for your comment Radi! Yes, I think it also has to be with spending our money in a smart way right? 🙂
Couldn’t agree more with you! I’m also taking direct steps towards a more sustainable style and fashion. I’m so happy that more and more people seem to be “getting it”. Much more fun to repair and take care of old clothes instead of just consuming new! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Yes! Happy to know this is not a little trend and little by little we’re getting more possibilities to explore other fashion options 🙂
Such a good article, I loved reading this.
I will def. be more aware of fast fashion.
Love,
Angela
https://www.angelavissers.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Hace un año por cuestiones forzadas, dejéde comptar ropa fast fashion como siempre, como ñoca, primeramente porque mi estilo de vida cambió (unas zapatillas y falditas no funcionaban para mi muevo trabajo) y porque la vida viajera te obliga a cargar con lo indispensable, tras eso me di cuenta que para mí ya no funcionaba el llenar guardarropa cada semana.
En la actualidad siento “cosita” cada vez que entro a una tienda e intento comprar algo, tanto por el saber que todo procede de condiciones laborales injustas, como el saber que esa prenda no me durará más de 3 lavadas. Aún sigo en la búsqueda del camino entre las tiendas vintage-segunda mano o moda sostenible.
Me encantó leer tu experiencia, muchísimas gracias por compartirla conmigo 🙂
A mi también me sucede eso cuando estoy en una tienda (tipo Forever 21 o así) y como dices muchas de esas cosas se deshacen en la lavadora a la tercera 🙁
Yes! here’s another really insightful and interesting read from you amigo. I love learning new things from your blog. I love how fashion lets people express themselves and designers create their art with it, but yes, we all have to think straight about this so-called fast fashion. Regardless of how much I love fashion, I literally don’t find myself obsessing over buying “trendy” clothes. NOthing’s bad about it if done with limits, but I feel that it’s not necessary for meto buy them. It must have something to do with my work and with getting older lol 25 haha that I now buy only clothes that I know that I could use in countless ways and occasions. I couldn’t agree more on the part about having clothes as investments. Staple clothes are really cool such as a good-ol black blazer or the classic LBD. Best thing is not to buy but slowing down on buying.
Can’t wait to read more from you! All the best for you amigo. Thank you so much, for everything! 🙂
love lots,
Tin
Thanks for your lovely comment Tin, it means the world for me! Love also the way you’re seeing fashion and I like to see that this not a little trend, I feel like we can take our fashion habits to a more conscious level little by little and is our responsibility to share tips with friends, right?
Thanks again for everything ❤️
Wow this is exactly I advocate too. You have great pointers on how to slow down fast fashion
Divya,
http://www.dstylebook.com