Circular fashion is a very interesting concept that aims to increase the lifespan of clothing items by passing them on. Understand.
If you are already familiar with the term circular fashiongreat, if not it’s time to know, understand and implement this in your life. Circular fashion is a concept based on the possibility of reusing clothing items.
Therefore, it is characterized by being the opposite of the linear path of products, which are manufactured, sold, used and discarded continuously. Circular fashion, in turn, appears as an option to this pattern that is directly linked to rampant consumerism that ends up affecting not only the environment, but has a chain effect affecting all stages of production.
Then, When practicing circular fashion, clothes and accessories come and go, taking on a new look, being used and reused by other people or even having shared use. Anyway, below we will better understand what circular fashion is, how positive this measure is and tips on how to practice it.
What is circular fashion?
Circular fashion is based on the basic principles of the circular economy and sustainable development. In other words, preserve and amplify capital, optimize the production of resources and stimulate processes.
All of this is linked to the life cycle of a product, from design to end of life, through production and use. Therefore, circular fashion is a way of questioning how clothes are made, used and especially reused.
So basically circular fashion is the principle of its own name: the circulation of clothing, shoes and accessories, with the idea of reducing the need for production and exploitation of raw materials.
It’s an opportunity for everyone to observe the way fashion is consumed. What do you take into consideration when choosing a piece of clothing? And what do you do when you no longer wear those clothes? Circular fashion questions and makes us rethink all of this and how it can be beneficial for everyone, for the planet, for other people and for future generations.
Importance
When we talk about pollution, the textile industry ranks second among the most polluting on the planet. Therefore, with all the environmental problems we are experiencing, the fashion industry has begun to show concerns about trends that go beyond what to wear, but that think about sustainability, conscious consumption and how these products impact the entire world.
In the current circumstances we are in, thinking and worrying about the direction the planet is going is everyone’s obligation. Therefore, including sustainable and regenerative practices that are not fashionable is fundamental at all stages of a product’s life cycle.
Therefore, this idea of circular fashion is extremely important and only benefits everyone. Firstly, the fashion industry, in which pieces come to represent much more when they are passed on. The environment ends up being less exploited for raw material purposes.
It does not stop there, Practicing this idea also increases the value of those who make real fashion, providing higher salaries, which ends up encouraging the industry to value labor more. Furthermore, it avoids what is called fast fashion, which is based on labor exploitation.
How to practice circular fashion?
At first it may seem somewhat challenging and demotivating to put the concept of circular fashion into practice, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t see this as an obligation, you can start with small steps, understanding each stage of the process as a transformation until it becomes part of your daily life.
Check out some valuable tips below to start practicing circular fashion:
1. Find out about how brands are produced
The first step is to find out more about the pieces you. Therefore, research the brands you use, find out what their production method is like. So, if there is exploitation of labor or there is no sustainability policy involved in the process, it is not a brand that should be present in your life if you care about the whole.
2. Increase the useful life of your parts
This tip is fundamental and essential for practicing circular fashion. Start looking at your clothes and shoes as long-term partners, not something disposable. So, when you start to think that you need to extend the useful life of your products, you will understand that this is not a preservation measure, but mainly a choice.
This way, when you go to buy an outfit, you will think twice, considering the useful time it will have with you and not simply buying on impulse.
3. Opt for used clothes
For a long time, wearing second-hand clothes was seen as something bad, but now it’s a trend, and a very good one at that. Visit thrift stores and bazaars regularly, after all, in circular fashion you can’t just be the first person to wear a piece.
So, to practice circular fashion you must think about benefiting from a product at any stage of its useful life. And tell the truth, thrift stores are great options for updating your wardrobe and saving money.
4. Practice o upcycling
Upcycling is nothing more than creative reuse, giving a new look to products that apparently no longer had any appeal. In fact, this transformation is fundamental for circular fashion to truly happen. So, how about customizing an old piece and giving it extra charm, depending on what you do, the piece will look brand new, as well as exclusive.
Conscious consumption and Circular Fashion
The concept of conscious consumption goes hand in hand with circular fashion and fortunately is becoming more popular every day. This is the result of a more tuned-in consumer who is starting to worry about issues other than style.
“The direct and emotional connection that we consumers have with our clothes makes people, especially younger ones, increasingly sensitive to the impacts of the sector – whether on the environment or on the lives of workers. of this industry. Many consumers want to interact with brands that take a stance on the subject and are transforming this reality.”explains the circular transformation manager at Instituto C&A, Margarida Lunetta.
But when we talk about conscious consumption, we are not just talking about buying products with an eco-friendly seal, but rather being aware of what to buy and why you buy it. In addition to thinking about the usefulness of that piece in everyday life and the lifespan of the product. All of this is crucial to consuming consciously.
Books about Circular Fashion
Anyway, what do you think of the concept of conscious fashion? Are you curious to understand more about the topic? So check out some book tips to delve deeper into this subject, with data and research.
1. Cradle to Cradle de William McDonough e Michael Braungart
This first book is one of the main sources of information on the circular economy, which encompasses circular fashion. Unfortunately, there is no translation into Portuguese. However, if you know how to read English it is worth reading.
2. Circular Economy, by Catherine Weetman
Now this second book is one of the biggest references on the subject translated into Portuguese. The book is a great tip for anyone who works in fashion, as it presents strategies for entrepreneurs.
3. Fios da Moda, from Instituto Modefica
And finally, this reading tip, which is a complete report that presents several theories of circular fashion, as well as data and challenges of practicing this idea in Brazil.
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Sources: Herself Linus Etiqueta Única