Hurrah, its spring! Brrrr…it’s unseasonably cold and wet…or maybe it will be warm by the time you are reading this! While I’ve decided to put my winter clothes away and rush out and buy a new spring/summer wardrobe, I find myself beset by a sartorial eco stress dilemma: the eco-worrier in me knows it’s not sustainable to keep buying new clothes.

While I don’t know what the solution is… I have a friend who does.

I meet my friend, Emily, who runs Friends of the Earth Camden, for a cuppa. This is how the convo went…

ME: So Em, surely the fashion industry isn’t all that bad?

EM: Au contraire, Deb! The world uses an estimated 80 billion pieces of clothing every year, a 400% increase from two decades ago and the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions.

In fact, textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. Not forgetting to mention the issues of workers rights and exploitation, low wages and unsafe conditions. Some 80% of the world’s garment workers are women.

Ham & High: Debbie Bourne wants to update her spring wardrobeDebbie Bourne wants to update her spring wardrobe (Image: Debbie Bourne)

ME: But I love new clothes… I’m often called The High-Heeled Gardener!

EM: You can still have new clothes while helping the planet. They don’t need to be new, Deb… just new to you! It’s not just charity shops where you can find pre-loved clothing, but online sites like Depop and Vinted.

In London most weekends you can always find somewhere new to rummage for your next favourite fashion statement. Searching on Eventbrite or Facebook for 'clothes swap London' or 'sustainable fashion London' will bring up the upcoming events.

Now we’re coming into the spring/summer you can also ditch the tumble dryer and get things out to air dry - saving energy and helping extend the life of your lovely, new-to-you clothes.

Another great way to refresh your clothes is to get into customisation and mending. Like sewing a patch your best fitting jeans with that hole in the…

ME: Crotchless jeans aside, that all sounds great, Em, but I’ve got a big wedding coming up, surely I can buy something new for that?

EM: Rent, Deb, rent! So many designers are now renting out clothes for that special occasion. Elle magazine only last week published a feature on the 11 best fashion rental sites in the UK: a list that includes Selfridges and Matches. (Elle.com)

Avoiding fast fashion is one of the simple things you can do to reduce your impact on the planet. Doing so will save you money, and you'll never have to worry about turning up in the same outfit as one of your frenemies.

A win for the planet and a win for your wardrobe.

Camden Friends of the Earth are starting a monthly Mend Club at Swiss Cottage Library on the second Saturday of each month where people can learn how to mend things: a sort of Sewing Support Group! Drop by on May 13 from 2pm to 4pm to get some help and have fun.

Debbie Bourne is a Think&Do Activator and author of The High Heeled Gardener.

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