I’m back with more tales from my adventures in wardrobe reduction! What came about quite naturally in this whole process is that as I began to find out more about the fabrics I was choosing to buy, I was learning why some are pricier and more coveted than others. Part of it turned out to be about pure consumerism and enjoying the designer names on our clothes and accessories. Personally, I don’t like wearing anything with a logo on it but before you think me too perfect for words (ahhh, that’ll be the day!), I will also say that I’m very attracted to designer clothing without logos. If it looks expensive, I’m probably drawn to it. This is a more complex, psychological issue that I will NOT be getting into because we all probably are well aware that many people love pretty things.
Another reason why some fabrics cost more is because they are healthier for oneself and the environment. There are lots of reasons behind this. Perhaps the fabric is organic and involved no pesticides being sprayed on the earth and inhaled by the workers involved. Perhaps it was made by hand by an employee getting paid fair wages, who is safe at their job and has reasonable hours.
The final big idea behind the higher cost of fabrics is that some are built to last. 100% cotton is tough and can survive a lot. Most “fast fashion” fabrics are made to look good on the rack and the first wear and after that, they start to break down. These items are usually cheap to purchase and easy to throw away or donate. Unfortunately, they are not environmentally friendly and often are made with unsafe chemicals and then they sit on the earth for a long time.
There are a lot of scary health concerns around fashion. If you’re interested in doing some more reading, watch ‘The True Cost’, which is available streaming on Netflix. Please also check out these articles that I found helpful:
The True Price of Fast Fashion
Intaking all this information led me to do a personal experiment. I ordered a specially fitted, 100% organic cotton tunic off Etsy.com.
It’s very simple and pretty and I think it will last me awhile. I’ve also noticed more natural fabrics are easier to clean and hold up in the wash better.
It’s also easier to afford more expensive items when I don’t buy that many of them.
Whew, well enough heavy thoughts for today…
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