#secondhandseptember. Boycott buying clothes in September

#Secondhandseptember

For the entire month of September I take this pledge to not buy anything new clothing wise for myself or the boys. This is going to be a toughie, particularly for the boys who often need new bits, from growing too fast or wearing holes in things. But I accept this challenge. Along with a group of like-minded environmental and money saving bloggers. We will be using the #secondhandseptember in all posts

If I do need to buy anything, it will be second hand from a friend or from a second-hand shop such as Oxfam. The brand behind this campaign. Join us and commit to buying nothing new for the month of September. Just imagine the impact on the fashion industry. It would have to stand up and listen with profit affected!

Fast Fashion

Back in June 2019 I did an interview on the BBC News channel with Mark Creagh MP. She is the politician, Wakefield, Labour party. And responsible for the Fast Fashion report sent to the government with 18 recommendations on what the government ‘could’ do to help fix the fast fashion problem in the UK.

These recommendations included a 1p levy on each item of clothing that could be considered fast fashion. Clear recycling points in every high street fashion store. Some simple fixes to aid a huge UK and worldwide problem.

All 18 of the recommendations were rejected by the government. No changes were implemented into UK company policy to even start to deal with the fast fashion issue in the UK.

Mary Creagh and I had a wonderful debate about how to research the environmental policies of the shops you choose to shop at. Primark and H&M, stores you would think are prime candidates for fast fashion are making concerted efforts to be more environmentally friendly.  They both have recycling points in store, H&M will even give you a £5 voucher for every bag of clothes you bring into store. 

We talked about the awful retail stores who demonstrate the worst attitude to the environment including JD Sports, ASOS and Amazon. Amazon dug a huge hole in France, tipped in a shed load of TVs that they over bought and burnt them. Yep, chucked them into the hole and burnt them. Info here from the MP and her assistant, whilst sat in the green room.

As a direct result of hearing this I have boycotted Amazon. I have not made a purchase since June. And am no longer a member of their affiliate scheme.

There is a lot we can do as consumers.

Firstly, make a stand a take part in #secondhandseptember. A campaign being championed by Oxfam UK. Take a stand for the whole of September and do not buy any new clothes.

Just imagine the impact on the fashion world and the government if millions of us took this pledge. Fashion turnover and profits would hugely reduce and maybe, just maybe, the big retailers and companies would take notice. Consumer can absolutely vote with their feet.

When you do buy, Research your Purchase

Which brands do you love shopping at? We all have a handful of our favourite brands, maybe its Ted Baker, maybe H&M maybe Topshop or maybe New Look. Go to their website and read their environmental policies. Send a tweet to the company and ask them what they are doing to stop fast fashion.

If you are unhappy with the response, or don’t get a response the vote with your feet. Shop somewhere else who has great or good environmental policies. And whom is trying to make a difference. The good guys include Primark, John Lewis, H&M and our beloved charity shops that frequent every high street.

Clothing Swop Parties

Arrange or attend a clothing swop party. Why not get 6 of your local friends together with a few glasses of wine and all bring the clothes that you no longer want. Okay you probably need to be similar sizes.

And just take what you want! Anything left overtake it to your local charity shop.

Make do and repair

How often do you throw away clothes that need a repair? Hands up here I just threw away 15 school polo tops that I were too small, too stained or ripped.

If its worth it, why not just repair and reuse. Or maybe upcycle into something different and cool. Just because there is a hold in the knee it doesn’t mean it has to be thrown away, cut off the lower legs and turn it into shorts. I have been known to chop up clothes as well. A skirt that is too long, I will cut off the length to make it short. I am really not bothered about a dodgy frayed hem, anyway its fashionable.

I would love to hear that are joining the campaign, comment #secondhandseptember below with you idea on how to live sustainable with clothes. And what you are doing to combat fast fashion.