As winter draws in and the nights become shorter, the mornings colder and last years coat old and worn, we all desire the winter fashion statement that will keep us looking better than the next guy or girl. What we never want and especially this winter, is the wallet or card hit that usually comes with the purchase of our winter wardrobe revival. What I am about to tell you will if you scan your minds come as no surprise, however in times of economic prosperity we ignore it, perhaps because we are care free, or perhaps because we are lazy or, and I am sure this is the case for most of us, perhaps the lure of the high street and the fresh smell and feel of that new purchase is far too appealing.
The following advice will help mix the old with the new,
1. Clothing Swap, ultimately we all have friends, who like us have too many clothes that we have bought in rushes of excitement. Sometimes these clothes just don’t get worn, either they don’t fit just right or we just change our mind. Get together with a group of friends and bring clothes old or new that are of good quality and obviously clean. See what you can swap your friends. It is just like shopping but far less expensive and a lot of fun for an evening event.
2. Shop Online. If you have access to the internet at home and let’s face it, if you have time to read this you probably do. Look on the internet for new clothes as opposed to the high street. There are a number of advantages to this. First when you shop online you will not feel pressured into buying the garment if you are not absolutely sure, even if you leave the online shop it will be there when you log back on again. Also when you shop online you avoid the cost of making your way to the local high street, with fuel prices high, this can save valuable pounds. Finally the last advantage of shopping online is that it will save you cash in incidental costs. Undoubtedly when you go to the high street you will purchase a snack, a coffee or some food at highly inflated prices. If you shop online you can drink your perfectly good coffee and food from your own fridge at very reasonable prices. High street shopping costs you a lot more than you think.
3. Don’t over wash your clothes. With your existing clothes or new clothes, don’t over wash them. Obviously if they smell or are dirty you must wash them, but before you wash your garments check if they actually require to be washed. Over washing garments will make them look old long before their time.
4. Wait for the Christmas Sales. This advice is not me being a grinch, it is just simple logic. So many items of clothing will be reduced in the after Christmas sales that there are some great savings to be made. This isn’t to say go out on Boxing Day and face the crush. Wait until January and there will be equally as good bargains to be found.
5. Buy next year’s winter coat and clothes in the Christmas Sales and save them for next winter. Just as finding some great bargains for now, there are some great items that are available in the sales that you can pick up and put away in the back of the wardrobe and pull them out next winter. The savings you can make are huge.
6. Accessorise. It is a far cheaper way to funk up your wardrobe. Items of clothing clearly cost more than hats, scarves, bangles, necklaces, bags and gloves. Shop online for accessories and there is a double saving.
7. Spread your social circle. This may well be a little more expensive than the other options, but if you spend time with different people, they will not know the age of your clothing. The clothing is new again, you will receive compliments about clothing you have had for many months and it will give you a real confidence boost.
8. Buy neutral colours. When you buy major pieces of clothing this winter, purchase neutral colours that will match with many things that you already own. Usually a winter coat is a major purchase, if you buy a coat that fits with all your items then although other items may not be new, by wearing your shining new coat it will make all your other items feel fantastic.
This winter can be fun, festive and fruitful for us all in all areas of our life. There is no need to break the bank to stay looking wonderful, just spice things up a little with a few different ideas and have a cracking Christmas.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
7 Top tips on how to avoid ethically unfriendly clothing
Fashion is enjoyed by billions of people across the globe, it brightens people’s days, it fills magazines, it dominates whole channels of television and our everyday life is affected and exposed to fashion and its offspring all day everyday.
We the consumer see the public face of fashion, the glitz, the glam, the models, the promotion and the hype. What we don’t see is where it comes from? Recently it has become a far more topical issue. With ever more budget ranges of clothing appearing.
This question is not as new as you might expect, there were similar questions raised in the late 1980’s early 1990’s but they were in my personal opinion forgotten in the recession of 1992 in the UK. Since then although regenerating with new charge and impetus; a charge that I believe will see such issues weather the storm of our current downturn in economic conditions, they could easily get lost in the financial troubles that we see ourselves in currently. What we must be careful to remember is that while we seek bargains on the high street, those bargains could be fuelling someone else’s economic woes. This may seem very distant to us on the high street when we are suffering ourselves, however by fuelling others economic woes by purchasing garments that are produced without reference to ethics we are fuelling the system that has brought us to our knees.
We should be looking to create a system that is fit to provide a future of economic stability for all countries and economies. The result will be a system that is not so prone to cracks and problems.
It is all well and good to gasp when the economic hardships of others appear on our television sets, starving populations, diseased nations, over worked and under paid factory workers, disgraceful working conditions, but when we leave our sofas regardless of what level of income or social status we believe we could be categorised within in the UK, we have a lot more than those who have nothing. It is important to note that we do not have to do so much to avoid unethical clothing, it will not burden us greatly, we must just open our eyes and ears to the vast amount of information available to us and force those involved with fuelling such processes to curtail their greed and spread their good fortune.
First I must dispel two myths
“Ethically friendly clothing doesn’t always come with a huge price tag” and “Unethical clothing isn’t always accompanied by a low price tag.”
7 Top tips on how to avoid ethically unfriendly clothing
1. Search the internet. The internet contains a vast spectrum of information about everything including information on most clothing brands and their production practices. I would say with 95% assurance that if a brand is not behaving in an ethically correct manner they will have been ousted in a news story that can be found on the internet. Simply insert the brand you would like to investigate and the sub heading ‘ethically friendly.’
2. Price. The price of the garment can help us assess whether or not the piece of clothing has been bought for a reasonable unit price from the manufacturer and hence if the worker who made that garment is getting a fair wage for the work that has to go into producing the garment. Although this does not necessarily apply to sale items, if the price of the garment originally is so low to make you gasp at what appears to be great value, it probably isn’t providing great value to the worker who produced it.
3. Ask the shop manager. The shop manager although possibly not informed of the full details is legally obliged to tell you in his knowledge the truth about how the products the shop sells are produced and if the brand has an ethically friendly and compliant policy. Often surprising the manager with such a question will get an honest and accurate response.
4. Don’t be fooled by the well known brand. Although well known brands and high end labels are aware of their ethical responsibility, the fact that the price is high and reputation good, doesn’t mean their ethical record is excellent. It also doesn’t mean it is bad, do your research ask the questions.
5. Don’t be fooled by the hype. Just like above don’t be fooled by the claims of brands new or old that they are ethically responsible, they may be telling the truth, they may not, do your research ask the questions.
6. Check the labels. The labels of some brands may contain information about their product and policies. If they offer printed information about their ethical policies with their products, it is most likely to be accurate because if it is not they will have opened themselves up to some serious criticism and or possible prosecution for false advertising.
7. Check the company website and email a representative. This is probably without doubt the fail safe way of getting the accurate information that we require about companies’ practices. In responding to a request for information about their products in relation to any number of issues, animal testing, manufacture, packaging etc., the company has a responsibility to respond accurately. Companies that provide open, honest and detailed responses are the ones to trust. Those who appear guarded, coy or don’t reply at all, well the answer is right there in their actions. Avoid
Ultimately we shall find clothing that is ethically friendly and reasonably priced, we also might find some brands that we thought where trustworthy that are not. The idea that good ethical practices comes with a huge price tag is simply not true.
Follow this advice and I am sure you will be wearing items that are ethically friendly.
We the consumer see the public face of fashion, the glitz, the glam, the models, the promotion and the hype. What we don’t see is where it comes from? Recently it has become a far more topical issue. With ever more budget ranges of clothing appearing.
This question is not as new as you might expect, there were similar questions raised in the late 1980’s early 1990’s but they were in my personal opinion forgotten in the recession of 1992 in the UK. Since then although regenerating with new charge and impetus; a charge that I believe will see such issues weather the storm of our current downturn in economic conditions, they could easily get lost in the financial troubles that we see ourselves in currently. What we must be careful to remember is that while we seek bargains on the high street, those bargains could be fuelling someone else’s economic woes. This may seem very distant to us on the high street when we are suffering ourselves, however by fuelling others economic woes by purchasing garments that are produced without reference to ethics we are fuelling the system that has brought us to our knees.
We should be looking to create a system that is fit to provide a future of economic stability for all countries and economies. The result will be a system that is not so prone to cracks and problems.
It is all well and good to gasp when the economic hardships of others appear on our television sets, starving populations, diseased nations, over worked and under paid factory workers, disgraceful working conditions, but when we leave our sofas regardless of what level of income or social status we believe we could be categorised within in the UK, we have a lot more than those who have nothing. It is important to note that we do not have to do so much to avoid unethical clothing, it will not burden us greatly, we must just open our eyes and ears to the vast amount of information available to us and force those involved with fuelling such processes to curtail their greed and spread their good fortune.
First I must dispel two myths
“Ethically friendly clothing doesn’t always come with a huge price tag” and “Unethical clothing isn’t always accompanied by a low price tag.”
7 Top tips on how to avoid ethically unfriendly clothing
1. Search the internet. The internet contains a vast spectrum of information about everything including information on most clothing brands and their production practices. I would say with 95% assurance that if a brand is not behaving in an ethically correct manner they will have been ousted in a news story that can be found on the internet. Simply insert the brand you would like to investigate and the sub heading ‘ethically friendly.’
2. Price. The price of the garment can help us assess whether or not the piece of clothing has been bought for a reasonable unit price from the manufacturer and hence if the worker who made that garment is getting a fair wage for the work that has to go into producing the garment. Although this does not necessarily apply to sale items, if the price of the garment originally is so low to make you gasp at what appears to be great value, it probably isn’t providing great value to the worker who produced it.
3. Ask the shop manager. The shop manager although possibly not informed of the full details is legally obliged to tell you in his knowledge the truth about how the products the shop sells are produced and if the brand has an ethically friendly and compliant policy. Often surprising the manager with such a question will get an honest and accurate response.
4. Don’t be fooled by the well known brand. Although well known brands and high end labels are aware of their ethical responsibility, the fact that the price is high and reputation good, doesn’t mean their ethical record is excellent. It also doesn’t mean it is bad, do your research ask the questions.
5. Don’t be fooled by the hype. Just like above don’t be fooled by the claims of brands new or old that they are ethically responsible, they may be telling the truth, they may not, do your research ask the questions.
6. Check the labels. The labels of some brands may contain information about their product and policies. If they offer printed information about their ethical policies with their products, it is most likely to be accurate because if it is not they will have opened themselves up to some serious criticism and or possible prosecution for false advertising.
7. Check the company website and email a representative. This is probably without doubt the fail safe way of getting the accurate information that we require about companies’ practices. In responding to a request for information about their products in relation to any number of issues, animal testing, manufacture, packaging etc., the company has a responsibility to respond accurately. Companies that provide open, honest and detailed responses are the ones to trust. Those who appear guarded, coy or don’t reply at all, well the answer is right there in their actions. Avoid
Ultimately we shall find clothing that is ethically friendly and reasonably priced, we also might find some brands that we thought where trustworthy that are not. The idea that good ethical practices comes with a huge price tag is simply not true.
Follow this advice and I am sure you will be wearing items that are ethically friendly.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
7 Top tips on how to reduce your Energy bills and Carbon footprint through what you wear.
As I have said before our carbon footprint has now become a day to day priority for many of us, and more pressingly for most of us, so has our fuel bills. We hear of numerous ways by which to reduce our carbon footprint through, ‘how we travel’, ‘how we act in our homes’ and ‘how we eat’, however we don’t hear so much about how, ‘what we wear’ can help reduce our carbon footprint and our energy bills.
Much of what I am about to tell you will appear ever so familiar to advice given to us by our parents or grandparents, advice often given in jest, however it is solid advice, that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and the dreaded energy bill this winter.
1. In winter wear an extra jumper, jacket, scarf or gloves, rather than turning up the heating. This is simple advice but applying an extra jumper will mean that you don’t need to turn the heating on or up.
2. Exercise on those cold winter mornings wearing sportswear that can be worn more than once. Loose jogging bottoms and a cotton sports t-shirt would be ideal. In the cold winter mornings it is difficult to get out of bed if it is cold outside, and when you do the heating almost certainly goes straight on. Instead pull on your running gear and head for a run or walk outside. The heat generated by your body through the exercise will soon warm you up and when you return there will be no need for the heating, just a lukewarm shower to cool you down and freshen you up. Wearing loose jogging bottoms and t-shirt allows the hot air to circulate round your body to heat you up faster. Also as the clothes are loose they will not become as sweaty or let’s face it smelly, so you won’t have to wash them after one use hence reducing your electricity bill. This all has the added bonus of getting a little bit fitter, possibly loosing any excess weight and giving you a spring in your step for the day ahead.
3. Thermals and underclothing can significantly increase body temperature and body comfort in the winter months. A set of winter warmer body wear will cost you significantly less than an increased energy bill. ‘Long johns’ may not be the most attractive of underwear but it sure will keep you warm and reduce the need for heating. When all is said and done I would rather be toasty and have more money in my pocket.
4. Wear warming colours and dress children or loved ones in warm colours too. Surrounding ourselves with warm positive colours can change our mood dramatically. If we are surrounded by cold blues and greens we feel cold. However if we surround ourselves with warm red’s, orange’s and yellows we shall feel warmer. The mind is a funny thing and the inclusion of warm colours around can warm you up so that the heating doesn’t have to.
5. Wear a fashionable cap, beanie, hat or ear muffs. Up to 55% of human body heat is lost through our heads. Without doubt the easiest way to keep ourselves warm over winter without turning on the heating is by wearing some type of headwear. This is not only practical; it is a sensible and stylish choice. There are so many wonderful hats of all types available that we can stay warm and make a great winter fashion statement.
6. Wear your hair down or simply grow it if you have short hair. Hair is our body’s natural insulator so it is sensible to keep this natural insulator as long as possible. Without our natural insulator, our body has less ability to keep warm. For those of you thinking we don’t wear our hair, think again! Our hair can be the foundation for the fashion statement of the winter.
7. If you have washed your hair, use a towel to towel dry your hair. Also wait for your hair to completely dry naturally before going outside into the cold winter weather. Many of us I am sure have experienced the effect on our bodies when we have wet hair in cold temperatures, our bodies become cold. If we wait until our hair is dry and we are wearing a hat to go outside, then less heat is going to be lost through our heads. ‘Don’t let your hair wear you, wear your hair to keep you warm and funky this winter.’
Stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
Much of what I am about to tell you will appear ever so familiar to advice given to us by our parents or grandparents, advice often given in jest, however it is solid advice, that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and the dreaded energy bill this winter.
1. In winter wear an extra jumper, jacket, scarf or gloves, rather than turning up the heating. This is simple advice but applying an extra jumper will mean that you don’t need to turn the heating on or up.
2. Exercise on those cold winter mornings wearing sportswear that can be worn more than once. Loose jogging bottoms and a cotton sports t-shirt would be ideal. In the cold winter mornings it is difficult to get out of bed if it is cold outside, and when you do the heating almost certainly goes straight on. Instead pull on your running gear and head for a run or walk outside. The heat generated by your body through the exercise will soon warm you up and when you return there will be no need for the heating, just a lukewarm shower to cool you down and freshen you up. Wearing loose jogging bottoms and t-shirt allows the hot air to circulate round your body to heat you up faster. Also as the clothes are loose they will not become as sweaty or let’s face it smelly, so you won’t have to wash them after one use hence reducing your electricity bill. This all has the added bonus of getting a little bit fitter, possibly loosing any excess weight and giving you a spring in your step for the day ahead.
3. Thermals and underclothing can significantly increase body temperature and body comfort in the winter months. A set of winter warmer body wear will cost you significantly less than an increased energy bill. ‘Long johns’ may not be the most attractive of underwear but it sure will keep you warm and reduce the need for heating. When all is said and done I would rather be toasty and have more money in my pocket.
4. Wear warming colours and dress children or loved ones in warm colours too. Surrounding ourselves with warm positive colours can change our mood dramatically. If we are surrounded by cold blues and greens we feel cold. However if we surround ourselves with warm red’s, orange’s and yellows we shall feel warmer. The mind is a funny thing and the inclusion of warm colours around can warm you up so that the heating doesn’t have to.
5. Wear a fashionable cap, beanie, hat or ear muffs. Up to 55% of human body heat is lost through our heads. Without doubt the easiest way to keep ourselves warm over winter without turning on the heating is by wearing some type of headwear. This is not only practical; it is a sensible and stylish choice. There are so many wonderful hats of all types available that we can stay warm and make a great winter fashion statement.
6. Wear your hair down or simply grow it if you have short hair. Hair is our body’s natural insulator so it is sensible to keep this natural insulator as long as possible. Without our natural insulator, our body has less ability to keep warm. For those of you thinking we don’t wear our hair, think again! Our hair can be the foundation for the fashion statement of the winter.
7. If you have washed your hair, use a towel to towel dry your hair. Also wait for your hair to completely dry naturally before going outside into the cold winter weather. Many of us I am sure have experienced the effect on our bodies when we have wet hair in cold temperatures, our bodies become cold. If we wait until our hair is dry and we are wearing a hat to go outside, then less heat is going to be lost through our heads. ‘Don’t let your hair wear you, wear your hair to keep you warm and funky this winter.’
Stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
What price must we pay for originality in fashion?
The power of originality in fashion could be described as an intrinsic and necessary requirement. However to what extent does what we find on the high street or on e-retail websites fulfil your desire for originality?
With the buzz of London fashion week still in the air, and having watched the best of UK and world fashion talent displayed, I should be excited by the prospect of what will be found on the high street, or in my local high end fashion label store?! London fashion week was a shining success, the artistry meshing colour, fine lines with exquisite detail and high quality, but will any of this really translate to what we can buy on the high street?
The simple answer is partially yes. The more complex, far foggier answer is no. London fashion week showcased the talent of individuals and fashion houses of the future. Where as top end labels that we have become synonymous with our retail lives, through high street outlets, department stores or online retail, have lost their drive for originality and regularly churn out expensive garments that have as little originality as a jam sandwich, while marking the price for a fillet mignon, due to the label that is contained inside.
This is not to say that there isn’t originality, style and high quality products to be found, they just take a different guise. Brands such as Topman/Topshop, Zara, River island and Republic offer far more in terms of originality and innovation, than many high end brands and they do it at affordable prices. ‘Is this the start of a revolution, affordable style, style that is unique and full of charisma in high street own branded products?’ ‘Has the affordable high street learnt more about the needs of the population?’ ‘Are our high street brands just better in touch with what is required?’ Our high street brands are primarily what keep the population from petering out into a mass of dullness. It could be accurate to say that there is far more originality to be found in more affordable high street names than there is from their cousin the expensive exclusive high street fashion label.
The problem is related directly to the labels that once were desired for their uniqueness. They haven fallen into half hearted attempts to draw originality by plastering their brand name in different directions, fonts and sizes across their garments. ‘Does the purchaser really desire to be a walking advert for a label?’ In some cases yes they do, as this is a means to express to the wider public their wealth, or good fortune to have the ability to purchase that label, it becomes a statement of the wearers prosperity. However ‘have the labels miss placed the essence of fashion?’ Fashion was, and I hope still is about producing garments that are original, funky and fresh. Fashion is not about unimaginative brand advertising at ludicrous prices. Fashion labels owe it to the public, who supported them for so long in their rise to the pinnacle of their trade, to stop wallowing in their success, to stop producing mediocrity in their new designs and to stop using the public; who once believed in these brands because the garments they did produce made people stop and look; to reproduce this magic in their current work. Or if they choose not to produce garments that are original and unique, to reduce their prices to a level that is coherent with the level of innovation.
There is no danger in recapturing the innovation and imagination that brought such brands to the forefront of their industry, as by doing this they shall see sales and public opinion soar. The reason for the procrastination is unclear, however it must lie in the fact that there are enough people in the market who wish to make a public statement about their prosperity by wearing clothing massacred by the labels name or logo so that the brand need not seek originality in it’s work, or it could simply be fear of not living up to the previous levels of brilliance.
It is a simple fact that human kind actively seeks ways to express their uniqueness through, clothing, hair, body art, accessories and any number of different median. It appears imperative to me that this be met by those who we seek our inspiration from, with an equal amount of effort and desire to fulfil the publics yearning for originality and vibrancy. Our population can only hope that the fashion labels upon whom we place our trust move forward to the uniqueness and vibrancy of their past.
By James McAloon
Excentree Fashion Collections
With the buzz of London fashion week still in the air, and having watched the best of UK and world fashion talent displayed, I should be excited by the prospect of what will be found on the high street, or in my local high end fashion label store?! London fashion week was a shining success, the artistry meshing colour, fine lines with exquisite detail and high quality, but will any of this really translate to what we can buy on the high street?
The simple answer is partially yes. The more complex, far foggier answer is no. London fashion week showcased the talent of individuals and fashion houses of the future. Where as top end labels that we have become synonymous with our retail lives, through high street outlets, department stores or online retail, have lost their drive for originality and regularly churn out expensive garments that have as little originality as a jam sandwich, while marking the price for a fillet mignon, due to the label that is contained inside.
This is not to say that there isn’t originality, style and high quality products to be found, they just take a different guise. Brands such as Topman/Topshop, Zara, River island and Republic offer far more in terms of originality and innovation, than many high end brands and they do it at affordable prices. ‘Is this the start of a revolution, affordable style, style that is unique and full of charisma in high street own branded products?’ ‘Has the affordable high street learnt more about the needs of the population?’ ‘Are our high street brands just better in touch with what is required?’ Our high street brands are primarily what keep the population from petering out into a mass of dullness. It could be accurate to say that there is far more originality to be found in more affordable high street names than there is from their cousin the expensive exclusive high street fashion label.
The problem is related directly to the labels that once were desired for their uniqueness. They haven fallen into half hearted attempts to draw originality by plastering their brand name in different directions, fonts and sizes across their garments. ‘Does the purchaser really desire to be a walking advert for a label?’ In some cases yes they do, as this is a means to express to the wider public their wealth, or good fortune to have the ability to purchase that label, it becomes a statement of the wearers prosperity. However ‘have the labels miss placed the essence of fashion?’ Fashion was, and I hope still is about producing garments that are original, funky and fresh. Fashion is not about unimaginative brand advertising at ludicrous prices. Fashion labels owe it to the public, who supported them for so long in their rise to the pinnacle of their trade, to stop wallowing in their success, to stop producing mediocrity in their new designs and to stop using the public; who once believed in these brands because the garments they did produce made people stop and look; to reproduce this magic in their current work. Or if they choose not to produce garments that are original and unique, to reduce their prices to a level that is coherent with the level of innovation.
There is no danger in recapturing the innovation and imagination that brought such brands to the forefront of their industry, as by doing this they shall see sales and public opinion soar. The reason for the procrastination is unclear, however it must lie in the fact that there are enough people in the market who wish to make a public statement about their prosperity by wearing clothing massacred by the labels name or logo so that the brand need not seek originality in it’s work, or it could simply be fear of not living up to the previous levels of brilliance.
It is a simple fact that human kind actively seeks ways to express their uniqueness through, clothing, hair, body art, accessories and any number of different median. It appears imperative to me that this be met by those who we seek our inspiration from, with an equal amount of effort and desire to fulfil the publics yearning for originality and vibrancy. Our population can only hope that the fashion labels upon whom we place our trust move forward to the uniqueness and vibrancy of their past.
By James McAloon
Excentree Fashion Collections
Friday, September 26, 2008
Clothing and Apparel the Environmental Question.
In today’s current society there is growing emphasis stressed upon making the correct environmental and ethical decisions in all aspects of our life. The environmental question, unlike its cousin the ethical question is a new topic of conversation in relation to what we wear. However as it becomes increasingly more apparent that a link exists between our environmental short comings and the affect that global warming is having on our planet; will what we wear change so as to support progressive environmental practices in all aspects of the clothing and apparel industry?
The first question that you may ask yourself is, ‘can what I wear affect the environment?’ Now there is no right or wrong answer to this question because it all depends at how you perceive the statement, ‘what you wear.’ The issue of wearing different types of clothing on any given day is unlikely to have grave affects on the level of C02 emissions, unless we got into a long and arduous debate about the heavier clothing you wear the more energy it takes to go about your day, or if you wear too many garments in summer the more air conditioning you use, or if you don’t wear enough layers in winter the greater amount of fuel that is burnt to power heating. However if the question read, ‘can who and where we buy our clothes from affect the environment and emission levels?’ Then the debate is far more worth while.
Clothing brands across the UK and the world have begun to develop policies and practices that encourage responsibility in what people wear in relation to the environment. The indirect affects of what we wear, has in the past had a negative affect upon the environment. The negative affects can be traced through the whole production process from design to sale. How you might ask? This is how;
Does the designer use recycled paper for drawings?
Does the designer recycle the waste paper created in the design process?
Does the brand ship samples and drawings to their manufacturer or factory in recyclable packaging, and does the factory recycle the packaging upon arrival?
Does the manufacturer minimise material waste in production, so not to create waste for landfill?
Does the manufacturer ship the completed goods in recyclable packaging, and when received at the company warehouse, is it recycled?
Do the brand and manufacturer ship by air or sea?
Does the brand or manufacturer use fuel efficient vehicles for overland transit?
Does the brand limit its production run so as to reduce wastage and close out products?
How does the brand advertise, is there unnecessary paper usage?
How does the brand deliver its products to customers, how are the invoices produced, are the packaging and invoices recyclable?
How does the brand source its materials, do they use organic cotton,
Does the brand use polyester?
How are other materials like polyester produced? (Polyester is usually produced through the burning of fossil fuels like oil)
Does the brand employ energy saving measures in their offices?
Does the brand attempt to use renewable energy sources?
Does the brand offset its carbon footprint?
It is ultimately unavoidable in the design, production and sale of clothing garments that some element of a carbon footprint will exist. However brands can and should be reducing their carbon footprint through responsible policies and practices.
The well known high street brand Marks and Spencer in January 2007 made the honourable commitment to becoming carbon neutral. Marks and Spencer implemented a 100 point 5 year plan. The environmental aspect of the plan will if successful, make Marks and Spencer carbon neutral, contributing zero waste to landfill.
The very fact that Marks and Spencer claimed in 2006 that 97% of customers had asked them to be more responsible in relation to green issues is evidence alone that the environmental question is more than just a myth.
The second important question is, are consumers willing to pay more for environmentally friendly clothing and should they have to pay more? Firstly consumers are inherently non-emotional when it does not have benefit for them. If consumers don’t see that there is a benefit to purchasing environmentally friendly clothing at a higher price than the non-environmentally cheaper garment then they won’t. However it is strikingly apparent across the population, in schools, newspaper, television and internet that any and all efforts to reduce the affect of green house gases on our environment should be embraced. The reward for doing so is a sustainable planet for our generation and future generations. We as a population can make small differences across all aspects of our lives. These changes can in cumulative form have massive positive affects on the future.
The question remains however should people have to pay more for environmentally friendly garments? In answering this question two distinct categories must be discussed, value labels and fashion labels. Firstly value labels are without question already working on very small margins and their ethical and environmental credentials should be scrutinised carefully. If value labels were to introduce carbon reducing policies, it would be necessary for the consumer to pay more for an environmentally friendly value label. However fashion brands that already have huge margins on their products could with ease introduce environmentally friendly practices and absorb the cost. It must be said that some already have and this is to be commended. So, ‘what should the price be for an environmentally friendly garment?’ This is the unanswerable question, so many aspects play apart in the pricing of clothing garments; my advice would be to ask yourself, ‘for the quality, content and originality of the piece what is a fair and reasonable price?’
When we access the environmental credentials of all brands we must also look at their attempts to reduce the carbon footprint through offset schemes. Although the carbon footprint of all garments can be limited through careful and intelligent processes. All clothing brands can further reduce or become carbon neutral through offset schemes. There are numerous carbon offset schemes that brands could and should apply to be part of. This small investment by a brand to reduce the affects of the carbon produced by them on our planet, sends a positive message to the industry and consumers. A positive message such as this, will encourage everyone in our society to move forward and stand strong in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and preserve our beautiful planet for future generations.
As time progresses the environment and global issues become more pressing, so does our thirst and desire for uniqueness and originality. We are on the cusp of a changing society, in which we are expected to fit into a particular mould, while also being expected to accept a changing world ideology and all the time striving to stand out in an ever deepening population of regularity. We are surrounded by irregularity and beauty, if we would like to preserve this natural beauty, we must shop responsibly and we must be given the opportunity to shop responsibly by those who produce the goods we purchase.
James McAloon
The first question that you may ask yourself is, ‘can what I wear affect the environment?’ Now there is no right or wrong answer to this question because it all depends at how you perceive the statement, ‘what you wear.’ The issue of wearing different types of clothing on any given day is unlikely to have grave affects on the level of C02 emissions, unless we got into a long and arduous debate about the heavier clothing you wear the more energy it takes to go about your day, or if you wear too many garments in summer the more air conditioning you use, or if you don’t wear enough layers in winter the greater amount of fuel that is burnt to power heating. However if the question read, ‘can who and where we buy our clothes from affect the environment and emission levels?’ Then the debate is far more worth while.
Clothing brands across the UK and the world have begun to develop policies and practices that encourage responsibility in what people wear in relation to the environment. The indirect affects of what we wear, has in the past had a negative affect upon the environment. The negative affects can be traced through the whole production process from design to sale. How you might ask? This is how;
Does the designer use recycled paper for drawings?
Does the designer recycle the waste paper created in the design process?
Does the brand ship samples and drawings to their manufacturer or factory in recyclable packaging, and does the factory recycle the packaging upon arrival?
Does the manufacturer minimise material waste in production, so not to create waste for landfill?
Does the manufacturer ship the completed goods in recyclable packaging, and when received at the company warehouse, is it recycled?
Do the brand and manufacturer ship by air or sea?
Does the brand or manufacturer use fuel efficient vehicles for overland transit?
Does the brand limit its production run so as to reduce wastage and close out products?
How does the brand advertise, is there unnecessary paper usage?
How does the brand deliver its products to customers, how are the invoices produced, are the packaging and invoices recyclable?
How does the brand source its materials, do they use organic cotton,
Does the brand use polyester?
How are other materials like polyester produced? (Polyester is usually produced through the burning of fossil fuels like oil)
Does the brand employ energy saving measures in their offices?
Does the brand attempt to use renewable energy sources?
Does the brand offset its carbon footprint?
It is ultimately unavoidable in the design, production and sale of clothing garments that some element of a carbon footprint will exist. However brands can and should be reducing their carbon footprint through responsible policies and practices.
The well known high street brand Marks and Spencer in January 2007 made the honourable commitment to becoming carbon neutral. Marks and Spencer implemented a 100 point 5 year plan. The environmental aspect of the plan will if successful, make Marks and Spencer carbon neutral, contributing zero waste to landfill.
The very fact that Marks and Spencer claimed in 2006 that 97% of customers had asked them to be more responsible in relation to green issues is evidence alone that the environmental question is more than just a myth.
The second important question is, are consumers willing to pay more for environmentally friendly clothing and should they have to pay more? Firstly consumers are inherently non-emotional when it does not have benefit for them. If consumers don’t see that there is a benefit to purchasing environmentally friendly clothing at a higher price than the non-environmentally cheaper garment then they won’t. However it is strikingly apparent across the population, in schools, newspaper, television and internet that any and all efforts to reduce the affect of green house gases on our environment should be embraced. The reward for doing so is a sustainable planet for our generation and future generations. We as a population can make small differences across all aspects of our lives. These changes can in cumulative form have massive positive affects on the future.
The question remains however should people have to pay more for environmentally friendly garments? In answering this question two distinct categories must be discussed, value labels and fashion labels. Firstly value labels are without question already working on very small margins and their ethical and environmental credentials should be scrutinised carefully. If value labels were to introduce carbon reducing policies, it would be necessary for the consumer to pay more for an environmentally friendly value label. However fashion brands that already have huge margins on their products could with ease introduce environmentally friendly practices and absorb the cost. It must be said that some already have and this is to be commended. So, ‘what should the price be for an environmentally friendly garment?’ This is the unanswerable question, so many aspects play apart in the pricing of clothing garments; my advice would be to ask yourself, ‘for the quality, content and originality of the piece what is a fair and reasonable price?’
When we access the environmental credentials of all brands we must also look at their attempts to reduce the carbon footprint through offset schemes. Although the carbon footprint of all garments can be limited through careful and intelligent processes. All clothing brands can further reduce or become carbon neutral through offset schemes. There are numerous carbon offset schemes that brands could and should apply to be part of. This small investment by a brand to reduce the affects of the carbon produced by them on our planet, sends a positive message to the industry and consumers. A positive message such as this, will encourage everyone in our society to move forward and stand strong in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and preserve our beautiful planet for future generations.
As time progresses the environment and global issues become more pressing, so does our thirst and desire for uniqueness and originality. We are on the cusp of a changing society, in which we are expected to fit into a particular mould, while also being expected to accept a changing world ideology and all the time striving to stand out in an ever deepening population of regularity. We are surrounded by irregularity and beauty, if we would like to preserve this natural beauty, we must shop responsibly and we must be given the opportunity to shop responsibly by those who produce the goods we purchase.
James McAloon
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