My made in the USA Wardrobe Part 3 | fast fashion is worse than plastic straws…

This is part 3 of my 5 part series entitled “My Made in USA Wardrobe”. Click here for all the parts in this series.

Most of you are probably familiar with the recent buzz over the “plastic straw crisis”. There is a lot of uproar over a widely-accepted source that states US consumers go through approximately 182.5 billion straws per year (QZ). This translates into about 73 thousand tons of plastic straws per year. 73 thousand tons. That’s a lot, right? But you know what blew my mind: Americans throw away close to 14 million tons of clothes per year (Newsweek). 14 million tons. This means 200x more waste generated by fast fashion trends than the disposal of plastic straws.

[bctt tweet=”Fast fashion generates 200 times more waste than the disposal of plastic straws.” username=”gracious_may”]

In the USA, 200 times more waste is generated by fast fashion trends than the disposal of plastic straws. But when was the last time you heard anything of it? No matter what side of the plastic straw argument you are on, I think it can be agreed that numbers like 14 million tons deserve some attention.

When I launched into my resolution to buy only made in the USA or thrifted clothes for a whole year, I did not know about these statistics. I just knew I was exhausted by the disposable quality I found at most major retailers. I did not know this quality was actually creating such a crisis.

I want to state that my concern over environmental issues stems from my desire to be a good steward of what God has created. Because I follow Jesus Christ, I want to honor His creation. My decisions are not grounded in my love for the earth, but, rather, the One who made it. I want to make good choices for the environment because I believe that’s what would please the Lord.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” Psalm 24:1-2

[bctt tweet=”Most major 2nd hand stores can only sell through 20% of the clothes we donate to them.  No one wants fast-fashion leftovers.” username=”gracious_may”]

Three years ago I was on Instagram and saw something that made me stop in my tracks. I was scrolling through the feed of an inspiring mama who migrated from Boston, MA to Uganda with her husband and family. They are serving there as a missionaries now. She posted a picture on her feed that really impacted me. It was what appeared to be acres and acres of used clothing. It was a field in Uganda, filled with piles of 2nd hand clothes. Her caption was something along the lines of: “let’s be mindful of the impact our choices are making on the world around us.” The message resonated and I did not forget it. I recently contact this woman and she gave me permission to share the photos.

I am a huge advocate for second hand marketplaces; but, sadly, most 2nd hand stores can only sell through 20% of the clothes we donate (Newsweek). Nobody wants fast-fashion leftovers. These clothes are not built to last, they are built to satisfy a trend. We can blame “greedy corporations”, but are we actually demanding more as consumers? That’s the question I put to myself two years ago.

[bctt tweet=”Change the way you shop. Seek out products with value. Buy what’s built to last.” username=”gracious_may”]

Here is how I’ve changed the way I shop:

• I search out Made in the USA Clothing and Shoe options.  This is my main mission: shopping USA Made as much as possible.  I try to find high quality, Made in the USA sources for my clothes and shoes.  Not only will I be investing in quality, but my money stays close to the communities that affect me.  It’s a win-win in my eyes.
• I’m not afraid to shop second hand.  Vintage and thrifted items are often higher quality than items off the rack.  Plus, thrifting is a great way to add unique pieces to your wardrobe.
• I remind myself that quality is worth the investment upfront.  An $80 shirt that lasts you 10x longer than a $20 shirt saves you $120 in the long run.  Don’t be afraid to invest in quality.

My Purposeful Wardrobe Journey:

Two years ago I launched a personal journey towards purposeful fashion. I made a resolution to only buy clothes and shoes that were made in the USA or thrifted for a whole year. I wanted to up my support of small businesses like my own, and make the best use of existing resources. Hunting down clothing brands that manufacture their products in the USA is my primary focus, but buying second hand was also a big part of my resolution. If you can find a piece of clothing that is still fantastic after serving it’s first owner, you’ve found something with value. Another bonus is that the used clothing boutiques I buy from are often run by small business owners who directly benefit from my support.

[bctt tweet=”Fast Fashion is built to satisfy trends, not people.  We can make our wardrobe something more.” username=”gracious_may”]

We are shopping trends that shift faster than we can choose our outfit in the morning. We are buying clothes that don’t last. We are being led about by the bit and bridle of the fast fashion industry. We are buying clothes that were designed for fads and not for people. Sustainable quality is achievable. We as the consumers need to demand more.

I mentioned it in a previous post, but my love for second hand fashion goes way back. Before I launched Gracious May I actually ran my own second hand fashion boutique. Even further back, in my early childhood, my dad ran a huge second hand resale shop near Kansas City. He specialized in antique furniture and eventually added in a huge selection of vintage and one of a kind apparel. I grew up watching my dad restore these vintage pieces, giving them a second chance to serve, a second chance to be loved.

A second chance. I think that speaks volumes with respect to the cry of the human heart: we all want a Second Chance. It is a daily source of hope for me that that second chance is freely available through Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection provide a second chance to all who come to Him in faith.

[bctt tweet=”More stuff doesn’t fulfill. Minimalism doesn’t fulfill. Only Christ fulfills.” username=”gracious_may”]

With all this talk of wardrobe resolutions and purposeful fashion, I don’t want to funnel you into the belief that any of this in itself a source of fulfillment. Purposeful wardrobes don’t fulfill, minimalism doesn’t fulfill. Only Christ fulfills.

A major goal for me in sharing my journey is to spark a movement. I want to regenerate an appreciation for well-crafted, ethically made products. I want to encourage others to know how their clothes are made and to invest in products with value. I want to tell people that how we shop can change is changing the world.

Until next time…

Grace // Co-owner and Founder of the Gracious May Marketplace

“Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5