Sustainable fashion: fast fashion vs. custom-made

Fast fashion is a business model that arrived in America in the early 1990s and is still prevalent today. It is often compared to fast food because these two concepts share many elements in their operations.

But when we talk about fast fashion, what exactly are we referring to?

In general, fast fashion refers to the mass production of inexpensive and trendy clothing. The goal is simple: it encourages the purchase of large quantities of low-quality garments, with the intention of replacing them a few weeks or months later. This business model is so deeply ingrained that we hardly realize it exists. We accept it, sustain it, and make it endure.

Sustainable fashion, lasting style

Avoid changing styles frequently. It may be cool at 16, but as an adult, nothing screams fashion insecurity more than a man who changes his wardrobe every 3 months. Investing in quality, beautiful clothing not only ensures a timeless style for months and years to come but also shows that you have confidence and are unafraid to express yourself.

Well-fitting garments purchased with purpose lead to more informed choices and allow different pieces to mix and match, offering a multitude of style options. T-shirts with complex patterns or large logos in the middle are not the most versatile clothing items and often end up at the bottom of the wardrobe once the season is over.

Opting for neutral colors like black, white, and gray is a step in the right direction. Similar to complex patterns and loud colors, you can’t go wrong with these choices. The same goes for jeans: regardless of the current trend, a good pair of jeans is versatile and timeless.

Environment

We saw it coming, but it’s evident that fast fashion has a considerable impact on the environment. A massive impact, in fact. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of global carbon emissions. To put that into perspective, it’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined!

The industry is also the second-largest consumer of water, generating nearly 20% of wastewater, in addition to releasing over half a million tons of microfibers into the ocean each year. Ouch.

Consumers contribute to these statistics year after year, purchasing on average 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago. This increase is not solely due to a sudden rise in purchasing power or the simultaneous deterioration of hundreds of thousands of wardrobes; we simply buy more, more often. It’s as simple as that.

But well, we’re not here to criticize consumer society; there are other better-informed and more credible individuals to do that. However, the area where we are experts is custom-made clothing. And fortunately, it happens to be part of the solution to bring some order to this chaotic industry.

Custom tailoring: a solid starting point

It is evident that we cannot abandon an entire consumption model overnight. Moreover, it must exist for a reason; accessibility has never been stronger, and the choices are as varied as we desire. And it’s affordable too. It’s a reality we must contend with.

The benefits of custom-made

The cut perfectly adapts to your body shape
You benefit from the best possible customer experience
Your garments are personalized to reflect your image

Tailored to suit your unique identity

We are no longer just talking about dressing for social conventions, but rather integrating what we wear as a part of our identity. Getting custom-made clothing is an excellent way to stand out while also being environmentally conscious.

Breaking free from fast fashion

Great! You’ve woken up with a surge of energy and made the decision to declutter your wardrobe and get rid of unused clothes. But where should you start? Should you just throw everything in the trash? Of course not! There are plenty of options available to you:

It may seem like an obvious solution, but it doesn’t lose its legitimacy for that matter! Making more thoughtful choices when it comes to purchasing new clothing is a step in the right direction.

As mentioned earlier in the article, opting for versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple combinations and various contexts is an excellent way to reduce textile consumption. Not only is it good for the environment, but it’s also beneficial for your wallet!

Thrift stores are the perfect places to give your clothes a second life. In addition to allowing others to acquire affordable clothing, you contribute to environmental well-being.

According to the Waste Reduction Week in Canada, 10 million tonnes of textile waste are discarded each year, while 95% of it could be reused or recycled.

Many organizations offer textile recycling services to reuse materials. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint associated with textiles, many of these organizations provide employment opportunities for those in need, such as Le Support, which promotes social and vocational inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Furthermore, there is upcycling, a service that more and more creators are offering. What is it? It involves taking worn-out, outdated, or unsold garments and transforming them into new pieces. While it may be more expensive than what you would find at H&M, purchasing clothing from upcycling supports local creators and allows you to sport a unique style.

In conclusion

We hope that you now have a better understanding of fast fashion, its impacts, and what you can do to mitigate its effects. While there is no magic solution to this issue, it is through collective action that we can move in the right direction.

Our final advice: consider adding a few custom-made garments to your wardrobe.

Your style and ecological footprint will thank you!

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