On one side, there are landfills full of clothes and on the other, consumers who use an average of 20% of their wardrobe. There may be a solution: promote the circular economy by dressing in thrift stores. Even for work, it’s possible!
“There is everything you need in thrift stores: skirts, jackets, suits, shoes, handbags, dresses,” says Myriam Laroche, senior consultant in sustainable development of textiles and clothing. The goal would be to use all the clothes we have in our wardrobe, to increase the ratio from 20% to 50% and even better, to 80%! »
Mme Laroche began her career in the fashion industry 30 years ago and has dedicated more than half of her career to the aspect of sustainable development. She recalls that “the quantities of textiles disposed of have increased by more than 80% over the last 10 years” and that yet, “95% of textiles thrown away are resalable, reusable or recyclable”.
“It is important to talk about overconsumption, but also overproduction, including that which comes from fast fashion1, she says. We don’t say it enough: the fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of global carbon emissions, more than the aviation and shipping sectors combined. »
Vintage and swap pieces
One of the ways to fight against fast fashion and its disastrous effects for the planet is to reuse what already exists. Stéphanie Robillard-Sarganis, a 37-year-old specialized educator, understands this issue well: for 15 years, she has almost exclusively bought her clothes in thrift stores.
“Yes, it takes patience, but for me, it’s meditative,” confides the mother of two children aged 8 and 10. I put on my headphones, go alone and search. »
I go there regularly and it allows me to find beautiful pieces for myself or things for my children, at low prices.
Stéphanie Robillard-Sarganis
This resident of Saint-Eustache organizes a large annual clothing swap every year: last year, more than 1,000 pieces were exchanged between the 60 participants.
“It’s a good way to renew your wardrobe,” she emphasizes. The goal is not to restock, but to take what you really need. »
Myriam Laroche’s maxim is clear: for every item added to the wardrobe, one must come out! “Get used to making room for each new item you buy,” advises the co-founder of Collective Détour, a consulting agency specializing in sustainable development.
Occupation : ecostylist
Another solution exists for fashionistas who feel ecological remorse: do business with an eco-stylist. Paulandre Toussaint specializes in styling and personalized thrift store shopping.
She has been offering her services for a year and demand is exploding. Its business model, based on the circular economy, is attracting attention: Mme Toussaint won the favorite prize last week at the Défi Osentreprises gala, in the sustainable development category.
In recent months, the entrepreneur has noticed an increase in her corporate clientele.
“With inflation, the cost of living is expensive,” says the 31-year-old Laval resident. But women still want to dress well for work, for their events, their happy hours and all their business occasions. This is where my service takes on its full meaning: they don’t have to experience the stress of shopping, they are aware that it is more respectful of the environment, they spend less and more intelligently. »
For example, for a budget of $150, the ecostylist will find around fifteen personalized pieces, according to the needs of his client. This does not include his fees.
Of the quality
Ultimately, her goal is for her clients to have a better thought-out and more practical wardrobe.
“You shouldn’t buy because it’s not expensive,” she says, “that would go against the mission. I choose pieces that are quality, that go with the client’s style and that are among the pieces she needs to create or complete a look. »
According to Myriam Laroche, a stubborn prejudice sometimes stops people from shopping and buying in thrift stores: the uncleanliness of the clothes.
“You have to remember that the majority of people wash their clothes before donating them,” she says. If you’re dismissive, start with an accessory like a purse or belt. My observation? The savings made and the compliments received erase prejudices! »
1. The term fast fashion (or ephemeral fashion) was invented by the New York Times in the 1990s. It describes how quickly retailers move clothing from design to in-store sales.
reference: www.lapresse.ca