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Clothing and the environment |
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Environmental impact of fashion |
Vintage clothing, or "Vintage", is a colloquialism commonly used to refer to all old styles of clothing. A widely accepted industry standard is that items made between 20 and 100 years ago can be considered "vintage" if they clearly reflect the styles and trends of the era they represent.[1] In recent years, the popularity of vintage clothing has grown, as consumers seek unique and sustainable fashion options.[2]
The rise in popularity of vintage fashion bas been viewed as a reaction to the negative impact and publicity associated with fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. It involves a business model where companies create and sell their own products through vertically integrated production methods, allowing for a quick response to consumer demand.[3] However, consumers tend to dispose of fast fashion products quickly, leading to environmental concerns. The fast fashion industry had an estimated worth of around $91 billion in 2021[4] and produces approximately 1 billion garments yearly. Despite its profitability, this industry relies on rapid production to capitalize on new trends and has a significant environmental impact.[5] The fast fashion industry emits approximately 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, which accounts for 5% of all global emissions.[5]
Vintage clothing offers a solution to the issues posed by fast fashion, allowing individuals to express their style while also preventing clothing waste.[6] Recently, the trend towards vintage clothing has grown, with more consumers adopting new attitudes toward second hand products, reflecting a growing interest in sustainability.[2] The increased media coverage of environmental issues has also influenced consumers to make more conscious decisions when purchasing fashion items.[7]