Vintage Clothing: A Reminder of our Past and the Key to our Future.
Over the past decade, the world has slowly become more aware of the impact clothing waste has on our environment, specifically regarding the introduction of fast fashion. In the United States alone, 85% of all textiles end up in landfills within a year. This means the average human throws away 81.5 pounds of clothing annually. Much of this discarded clothing is made of synthetic fibers. When these fibers are left in a landfill, they release dangerous chemicals into our environment. One way to combat the deterioration of the environment is by shopping secondhand. Purchasing vintage items is recycling while simultaneously adding pieces of history into your wardrobe. It is one of the easiest and most fun ways to act sustainably regarding fashion while creating lasting memories around the clothing you collect.
Thrifting or buying secondhand is an excellent way to lend a helping hand to the world but also a way to learn a thing or two about the past. My love of vintage clothing started when my grandmother passed away a few years ago. She was a fashion icon, and after her passing my mom and I slowly went through her closet together. I discovered a gold mine of pieces, each with a story of its own. I love telling people I am wearing something I inherited from my Nona. Another one of the first vintage items I acquired was my grandfather's U.S. Army button-up. Even though I never met him, knowing I have a small piece of him that I can keep with me forever is something I will always cherish. Wearing articles of clothing like these that illustrate a piece of my family history brings me more joy than the instant gratification surrounding fast fashion ever could.
Searching for unique second hand pieces or even for some basics at the Goodwill is like treasure hunting, and the story that comes along with each piece, whether it be a story told by a relative or one you make up yourself, is full of more worth than any fast fashion piece could ever hold. Collecting vintage items is like building a storybook in your closet, one you’ll never forget or want to throw in the trash can after you have read it (or worn it) once. With this, I hope I can encourage you to go out searching for clothing with a purpose that helps heal our world a little bit and maybe even your heart.
