Page 32 - Masala Lite Issue 157 January 2024

SUSTAINABLY they want us to feel like we are constantly missing out on monthly or even weekly
trends, but the reality is that you’re not missing out on anything.
STYLISH The best way to move away from this cycle of mass consumption is by doing a three-
Fear of missing out is a marketing tool these companies use to make us buy more.

month detox from buying fast fashion, and instead repeating the outfits you already

the planet, and challenges the capitalist ideology that we constantly need more to
The Only Trend You own multiple times. This also sends out a message to the industry that we care about
feel good about ourselves.
Should Follow in 2024 You can make outfit repeating look different each time by styling it with different
•
accessories, or wear it in exactly the same way
you wore it before. This is a sustainable
Aparna Sharma advocates for the and economical way to use your
‘repeating outfits’ trend.. wardrobe – wearing an outfit
50 times instead of five can
Did you know that Alia Bhatt recently repeated her wedding sari for the 69th drastically reduce the carbon
National Film Awards? This may not be a big deal to many, but it sends out the right footprint of that particular
message to those who feel uneasy repeating an outfit that has been photographed outfit.
often, or published on social media. In a world struggling with climate change, in
which evidence points that the fast fashion industry plays a significant role, it’s high Outfit repeating saves you
money, as fast fashion
time we start consuming less of fast fashion and start repeating our clothes more.
brands launch up to 50
Have you ever felt that someone will pass a snide remark if you repeat the same or more trends every year,
outfit regularly, or one that you’ve already posted? If so, you are not alone. A study by and keeping up with all of
Barnardo’s – a British charity dedicated to caring for vulnerable children via reselling them can be stressful and
second hand clothes – showed that on average, items of clothing are worn just seven expensive. When you buy a
times before they’re discarded. Most clothes which are discarded don’t get passed few good-quality outfits, it will
on to another person. This is a misconception a lot of people have about the clothes save you time, and keep your
they discard from their wardrobe. Here are some important statistics which might wardrobe clutter free. Keeping
help you consider buying better-quality clothes, and re-wearing them more often: a few staple pieces and outfits
in your wardrobe that you love, and are
• 100 to 150 billion garments are produced by the fashion industry every year.
excited to wear, makes getting dressed so much easier and fun. Repeating clothes
• 60 percent of the clothing produced is plastic based materials like nylon, acrylic, also helps keep clothes out of landfills. Just think of it as giving a big hug to the planet
polyester, etc.
every time you repeat your outfit.
• 92 million tonnes of clothes end up in landfills every year, and only 20 percent
We’ve seen many celebrities repeat their outfits in 2023. Thanks to the likes of Kate
of clothes discarded are reused or recycled.
Middleton, Nicole Kidman and Alia Bhatt, outfit repeating is probably the ‘coolest’
• Textile production generates 42 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.
trend against climate change – literally. Will you be repeating your outfits more in 2024?
• Textile waste in landfills causes methane emissions, which in turn is contributing
to climate change. Aparna Sharma is a non-conformist who believes that fashion must become a
force for good and style must meet sustainability. She breaks down the
The reason for these sobering statistics can be traced back to the introduction of
fast fashion and social media. Consumerism is good for fast fashion companies, as nuances of slow fashion and how we can stay stylish without being trendy.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 157 - JANUARY 2024