Why Bother with Sustainability?

Those of you who read n4mummy, know I go on about sustainability all the time, but why? I mean, we’ve blown our chances of reversing the impact of global warming. Despite the progress made at the UN Climate Change Control Conference in Paris, The Guardian condemned the caps on emissions, as “too loose.” Because they’ll lead to warming of 2.7-3C above pre-industrial levels, and in doing so this it will breech that fundamental 2C threshold. Scientists claim that after 2 degrees, the Arctic cap melts, as does the Greenland ice sheet causing the sea to rise to dangerous levels. Scary stuff.

But what’s this got to do with us? Why should we even care? If the ‘powers that be’ can’t even reach a resolution that will save our planet, what can we do? Well, I’d like to question whether we actually understand the impact of our consumerism? Fashion Revolution states that:

Within this, “The average British woman hoards £285 of clothes they will never wear, That’s £30 billion of unworn clothes.” It’s clear we are all responsible, in part, for contributing to the destruction of our planet. I’d go so far to say that, unless we change our day-to-day behaviour, this scenario will never improve.

I spent most of my 20s and early 30s working as a buyer for several UK high street stores. Fast fashion was in my blood. The constant drive for newness was like a drug. Yet, recently I’ve seen the futility of living like this, nothing ever satisfies, and all trends are inherently cyclical. There has to be a better way of living. Vivian Westwood nailed it on the head when she said, “Buy less, choose well, make it last.’ I now make a conscious effort to buy less and to buy better quality. Before I buy I ask myself, “Can I see that still being in my wardrobe in 5 years time?” This year Fashion Revolution challenged us to show our #30wears items, i.e. things we pledge to wear/use thirty times plus. It’s a good starting point, but surely that’s not enough?

We need to be buying items that have years of use in them. Timeless fashion I call it, though in my mind those two words directly contradict each other. So I think it’s about buying what you love, and ensuring what you buy is versatile. Recently I did a shoot for new sustainable brand Onnix bags, their bags are multifunctional. The clever design of 2 bags in 1, means you have endless scope to change the look of the bag. Add a pop of colour one day, or keep it classic with leopard print another and all that needs to change is the front clutch. Also, because it has separate compartments, work bits, nappies and other paraphernalia can go in the larger section and a lipstick, phone and other valuables in the clutch. Once the day is over, leave the larger bag behind and head off clutch in hand for a drink. We don’t need an endless numbers of bags. Isn’t it better to buy one and use it in a myriad of ways?