I’m Tired of Talking About Sustainability
Look, I’ve been in this industry for 22 years. Twenty-two. I’ve seen trends come and go, but nothing’s been as exhausting than the sustainability conversation. It’s like we’re all stuck in a never-ending meeting about compostable packaging at a conference in Austin.
But here’s the thing: I’m not gonna pretend I’m some perfect eco-warrior. I’ve made mistakes. Alot of them. Like that time in 2015 when I told a designer named Marcus (not his real name) that his upcycled collection was ‘cute’—as if turning old clothes into new ones was some kinda craft project. Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But I digress. This isn’t about me. It’s about the people who are actually doing something about the mess we’re in. The anti-heroes of fast fashion, if you will.
Meet the Disruptors
Last Tuesday, I met with a colleague named Dave over coffee at the place on 5th. Dave’s been working with a group called the Vermont Community Fashion Initiative (VCFI). They’re a bunch of rebels, honestly. They don’t care about being ‘on trend’ or ‘fashionable.’ They care about making clothes that don’t suck—literally and figuratively.
They’ve got this system where they take old clothes, deconstruct them, and then rebuild them into something new. It’s not just upcycling; it’s like they’re performing open-heart surgery on garments. And it’s not cheap. We’re talking $87 for a pair of jeans that took 36 hours to make. But here’s the kicker: people are buying them. And not just hippies or tree-huggers. Regular people.
I asked Dave why he thinks this is working. He said, ‘People are tired of being lied to. They know fast fashion is a scam, but they don’t know what to do about it. So when they find something that’s honest, they go for it.’
But What About the Rest of Us?
Okay, so there are these amazing people doing incredible work. But what about the rest of us? The ones who can’t afford $87 jeans? The ones who still wanna look good but don’t wanna feel guilty about it?
I’m not sure but maybe the answer isn’t about finding the perfect sustainable brand. Maybe it’s about changing how we think about clothes. Like, maybe we shouldn’t be buying six new outfits for summer. Maybe we should be buying one really good outfit and wearing it alot.
I know, I know. It’s not groundbreaking. But honestly, sometimes the simplest ideas are the hardest to implement. I mean, I still have a closet full of clothes I barely wear. And I’m the one writing about this stuff!
But I’m trying. I’m trying to be better. And I think that’s what matters most. We’re all gonna make mistakes. We’re all gonna buy that cheap top from a fast fashion brand because it’s cute and it’s on sale. But if we’re trying, that’s something.
A Tangent About Thrifting
Speaking of trying, let me tell you about my latest obsession: thrifting. I know, it’s not new. But hear me out. I went to this thrift store last weekend and found this amazing vintage leather jacket. It was in perfect condition, and it fit like a glove. And the best part? It cost me $45. Forty-five dollars! For a leather jacket!
I told my friend Lisa about it, and she was like, ‘Duh, that’s how thrifting works.’ But I was legit excited. It’s like I’d discovered some secret formula for shopping. And maybe I had. Maybe the secret is just taking the time to look for quality instead of settling for quantity.
But anyway, enough about my personal shopping triumphs. Let’s get back to the real issue.
The Role of Community
So, I was reading this Vermont community news update the other day, and it got me thinking about how community plays a role in all this. Like, maybe the reason the VCFI is succesfully is because they’re a community. They support each other, they share resources, they hold each other accountable.
And maybe that’s what we need more of in fashion. More community. More people coming together to say, ‘Hey, this sucks. Let’s do something about it.’ Because honestly, the big brands aren’t gonna change overnight. But communities? Communities can move mountains.
I don’t know. I’m not sure if I’m making sense. It’s late, and I’ve been writing for hours. But I think there’s something here. Something worth exploring.
So, let’s explore it. Let’s talk about it. Let’s make mistakes and learn from them. Let’s be better. Together.
About the Author: Jane Doe is a senior editor with over two decades of experience in the fashion industry. She’s written for major publications and has interviewed everyone from high-profile designers to underground activists. When she’s not writing, she’s probably thrifting or complaining about the state of the fashion industry on social media. You can find her on Twitter @janedoe or Instagram @janedoeeditor.
