I’ll be honest - I used to think ‘sustainable fashion’ just meant not buying that extra dress I definitely didn’t need… but the more I learned, the more I realised it’s about so much more than restraint, it’s about respect: for the planet, for the people who make our clothes, and for the stories stitched into every thread. I absolutely don't claim to be perfect, and many times I'll grab that shirt or top that I will need from the shops, but I am trying my best! Ideally all my clothing purchases will be slow fashion approved!
Here are some facts:
1. Aussies: the G20’s #1 fashion splurgers
Australia ranks highest in the G20 for fashion-related carbon footprint, far exceeding global averages ausfashioncouncil.com+15australiainstitute.org.au+15allgonerubbishremovals.com.au+15. We buy around 56 new items each year (that’s six items a month, friends!), yet a whopping 23 kg gets tossed straight to landfill annually walkfree.org+1abc.net.au+1. That’s like chucking a small person’s worth of clothes every single year.
2. Landfills are bursting - fast fashion is thirsty
Every 10 minutes, Australia dumps about 6,000 kg of textiles into landfill - that’s roughly the weight of an adult whale! allgonerubbishremovals.com.au+4ethread.com.au+4link.springer.com+4. And all of this contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions from textile waste allgonerubbishremovals.com.au+2ethread.com.au+2waste2resources.com.au+2.
3. We’re buying, but not fixing
According to RMIT, one in three Aussies simply throw unwanted clothes in the rubbish, thanks to confusion about proper recycling link.springer.com+14theguardian.com+14allgonerubbishremovals.com.au+14. Meanwhile, 84% had at least one new, unworn garment in the past year theguardian.com
Aussie Solutions: Circularity, Stewardship & Pre-loved Power
Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme (since July 2023)
Introduced by Minister Tanya Plibersek, this voluntary levy asks brands to chip in $0.04 per new item - or $0.03 for sustainable garments. Over 60 major brands are onboard, including Cotton On, Oroton, Big W, Carla Zampatti and Zimmerman (and so are we!) walkfree.org+1theaustralian.com.au+1. The goal? Make the Aussie fashion industry fully circular by 2030 blog.commissionfactory.com+9theaustralian.com.au+9abc.net.au+9.
Charity Chic at Fashion Week
Take Vinnies at Aussie Fashion Week, teaming up with celebrity stylist Paul Versace, they styled stars in op‑shop finds to highlight reuse. Stylish and sustainable? Absolutely ‑ Tegan Martin, Sally Obermeder, Stacey Fleming, they all rocked preloved pieces, showing poshers (and us) how to look stylish and save the planet news.com.au.
Repair, repurpose & upcycle
Local initiatives like EXIT (resale & sample sales) and The Volte (fashion rental platform) are proving sustainable style is both smart and stylish. Experts believe rethinking fast fashion-less trends, more mending is the golden ticket couriermail.com.au+1theaustralian.com.au+1.
Quick Eco‑Wins for Aussie Fashion Fans:
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Shop consciously – fewer buys, better quality.
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Fix it, don’t ditch it – mending is making a comeback!
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Pre‑loved always slays – Op‑shop gems are everywhere (and celeb‑approved).
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Support circular brands – look out for Seamless participants.
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Rent for the event – why buy if you’ll wear it once?
Final Wrap: Love Slow Fashion
To wrap it up: supporting sustainable fashion in Australia helps tackle massive textile waste, carbon pollution, thirsty fast fashion… and it brings with it a side-serve of local ingenuity. From epic op‑shop transformations on the main stage to national stewardship schemes, we’re in prime position to lead a fashion revolution.
We’re not just trend followers; we’re trendsetters. Let’s shop less, mend more, and make slow fashion the Aussie way. Your closet - and our planet will be better for it!
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