We all hoard closet chaos, we enjoy storing up the pile of “maybe clothes” at the back of our closets. Ironically, the clothes we hoard are not what we will wear at the present. Instead, we store clothes which “might” come back in fashion. Aligning ourselves with futuristic trends has taken priority over recycling and sustainability.
Traditionally, the ideal thing to do with a bundle of stored clothes would be to donate them. However less than 10 percent of donated clothes actually get reused. Why? Because fashion is more complicated than one-size-fits-all. Fashion associates itself with self expression and personality, it takes more than just recycling to make sustainability fashionable. This occurs because the donated clothes do not fit the new owner so the availability of options becomes limited. The donated clothes do not align with the cultural norms of the area the process takes place in and lastly we currently live in a world where people would rather buy fast fashion over innovation through reuse.
The issue extends to an entire culture and community and not just a practical and environmental problem. We have normalised hoarding, glamorised overconsumption and closet like that of “Cher in clueless or shoe collection like that of Carrie Bradshaw.” What we as viewers tend to forget is that this is not reality, it is entertainment television, which is not meant to be replicated. This gives into the glaring lack of awareness currently persistent through the community.
This is exactly why we at Respun set up our Delhi collection centers which remind you that sustainable fashion can be trendy. These centers are our response to the fashion fueled war. We encourage everyone to opt for local, conscious and practical solutions to innovate your old clothes and to make donations cool and trendy.
So check out our free drop off points, use our on site collection bins and introduce it on your campus, your residence or your office.
It’s finally time to cut the crap, avoid the landfill detour and take the conscious road instead.