By: Paz Coliguante / Translated by: Adriana Serrano

In the fast fashion era, fashion has become one of the most dynamic industries with the greatest environmental impact. The cycle of buying and discarding seems endless, and with it, the footprint we leave on the planet. However, a change in mindset is underway, and more and more people are asking themselves: Do we really need so many new clothes?

The challenge is intriguing: stop buying clothes for a significant period of time (between 3 months and a year) and focus only on taking care and repairing the clothes we already have in our wardrobe. What would appear as an alternative to reduce environmental impact can also become an opportunity to raise awareness about the volume of clothing we accumulate, of those items that need future maintenance, and to deeply reflect on the value of our clothes and the role the industry plays in sustainability. 

Accepting this challenge means engaging in the task of care, fix, and extend the useful life of the clothes we already own. It’s not just about avoiding planned obsolescence but understanding that each piece has a history, and with a bit of effort, we can bring them back to life and continue using them for a longer time. Cleaning our clothes, making adjustments, repairing small damages, or even personalizing them are simple actions that, in the long run, can have a significant impact on reducing textile waste.

The "use and throw away" mentality has been so deeply ingrained in our culture that the idea of repairing what we have sometimes seems old-fashioned. But in a system that constantly encourages consumption, it can be seen as an act of rebellion, responsibility, and creativity. Repairing an item, whether it’s a hem, a button, or a hole not only increases its value but also helps prevent it from ending up in the trash.

What about fashion brands?

However, the responsibility does not fall only on consumers. Fashion brands must also play a key role in this paradigm change. Some have taken a step forward by offering free repairs to their customers, this being a growing trend that is leading brands to recognize that their responsibility does not end at the point of sale. 

Repair services allow customers to fix their clothes instead of discarding them, contributing to a more circular industry. These services not only have a positive environmental impact but also strengthen the relationship between brands and their customers. By offering this service, brands foster loyalty and trust while promoting sustainability. Repairing is not only a solution to wear but also a strategy to reduce emissions caused by product returns, which have a significant environmental cost.

Repair: An alternative within everyone’s reac

As the concept of circularity gains ground, the role of repair becomes essential. Resale and rental of clothes have surged in recent years, but without proper care and repairs, these options wouldn’t be viable in the long term. It’s crucial for brands to integrate repair services into their offerings, just like resale or rental.

If brands are aware that their customers desire durable products that can be repaired and kept in good condition, the fashion industry will take a big step toward sustainability. In a world where consumers every day are becoming concerned with the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, brands must adapt to this new reality by offering repair and restoration services that allow products to last longer.

Ultimately, taking care of our clothes is not just an individual matter but a collective one. Each of us can make a difference by being more conscious of what we buy, taking care of what we already have, and demanding that brands take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products. Repairing is a practice that not only benefits the planet but also helps us rediscover the true essence of fashion: a way of personal expression, a form of connection with the story behind each piece, and a conscious outlook on the impacts it has created on our planet.

 

Sources:

 

https://www.vogue.es/articulos/no-comprar-ropa-durante-un-ano-arregla

 

https://www.fashionrevolution.org/colombia-blog/la-obsolescencia-programada-de-la-moda/