The fashion industry is constantly changing and developing, with fresh new styles hitting high-street stores almost daily. While some trends appear out of nowhere, there are particular styles that go back a long way and occasionally make a comeback. Vintage fashion is a forgotten trend from the past that has made its way back into today's fashion favourites.
What is Vintage fashion?
The term 'vintage' refers to older styles of clothing. Vintage is something from a past era which is of high quality and long lasting value. Any clothing items originating from the 1920's to 1980's are considered vintage and anything before that time period is considered antique. Clothing produced years ago was made out of high quality materials and often produced by hand, meaning it was made to be around for many years.
When you're shopping on the high-street it's not hard to see that vintage fashion is hot and trendy right now, with styles being displayed in almost every shop window. Whether it's the 70's flares, the classic mom jeans or even the overalls, everyone, everywhere, is becoming influenced by this blast from the past and old trend which is becoming popular once again. Some trends are so strong they have grown to be permanent fashion staples such as the 90's leather jacket which is now a classic piece in most people's wardrobe.
The craze for unique and original pieces has begun to develop over the past few years with more people now turning to vintage clothing which embodies a more worn appearance. While trailing though hundreds of secondhand items doesn't seem like an exciting task, once you find that one special item that no one else owns, you'll wish you had found vintage fashion sooner.
Why should you shop Vintage?
Shopping vintage is a feel good fashion fix that doesn't damage the environment and allows you to find hidden gems that you didn't even know existed. As consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental effects of fast fashion they are looking for more eco-friendly ways to shop. Could vintage be the answer? Heres how shopping vintage is helping the environment.
1. It reduces landfill build up
Buying vintage clothing is helping to reduce textile waste and build up in landfill sites. The Times reported that 300,000 tonnes of textiles ended up in landfill last year, simply because we throw away clothes after a single wear. Clothing items are being made extremely cheaply and are not designed to last which means a throw-away culture is evolving. Clothing items are becoming less precious and more disposable, but by wearing vintage you're extending the lifespan of a garment and not contributing to the waste in landfill sites.
2. It's an alternative to fast fashion
The consequences of fast fashion production are devastating for the environment and have a huge impact on global warming. The fast fashion industry emits 1.2 billion tonnes of C02 equivalent every year and 20 thousand litres of water are used to produce a single t-shirt or pair of jeans. The speedy transition from runway to high-street pollutes our planet and expends valuable resources. The inhumane working conditions of garment producers is a significant issue with fast fashion production as garment workers are forced to work 14 to 16 hour days, seven days a week. The Guardian reported that nine out of ten workers in Bangladesh said they could not afford enough food for themselves and their families and were forced to skip meals. Wearing vintage means you are not supporting the unfair exploitation of garment workers and it is a much more eco-friendly and ethical way of enjoying fashion.
3. It saves our wildlife
The constant production and disposal of fashion items has disastrous effects on our wildlife. Around one hundred thousand marine animals are killed each year by becoming entangled in plastic waste, including microfibres which are the pieces of plastic in our clothes. Harmful fabric dyes contribute to water pollution which kills over one hundred thousand sea mammals each year. By choosing to wear vintage you're extending the life of an existing clothing item, preventing pollution and the death of thousands of our precious animals.
So Are we heading in the right direction?
A study from The Guardian found that last year 64% of women were willing to buy pre-owned pieces compared to 45% in 2016, highlighting how vintage fashion is becoming increasingly popular. It is thought that by 2028 around 13% of the clothes in a woman's wardrobe will be secondhand which is a substantial step for the environment and a big difference compared to where we are now.
Why not change the way you wear clothes this season and test out vintage fashion? Not only is it a more sustainable way of shopping and helps protect the planet it's also a way to make your style stand out. What better way to do that than by wearing something no one else will own? Vintage fashion enables you to express yourself in a more unique and original way meaning the benefits of shopping vintage go far beyond the appearance of the pieces.
Комментарии