Sustainability in Fashion

By Ella Waag and Josie Kalish

This article was originally featured in Beyond the Valley, Deerfield's fashion publication.

The fast-fashion industry, while providing an affordable and convenient way to stay up-to-date with trends, is responsible for significant environmental damage. It has grown in popularity, meeting the desires for affordable and trendy clothing. However, its appeal and accessibility drive rapid production and high consumption rates, which heavily impact the environment. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 17 million tons of textile waste (112 pounds per person) are produced each year in the US. Although some discarded clothing is properly disposed of, less than 15% is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills. Beyond the disposal, the dyeing and finishing processes used by many fast-fashion brands contribute to 20% of global clean water pollution, according to the European Parliament, and each wash of garments releases 1.7 grams of microplastics, adding to ocean pollution.

At Deerfield, fast-fashion is very present among the student body, especially for events like dances and spirit weeks, where quick, cheap outfits from sites like Amazon are often worn once and discarded. In the class-dress setting, brands such as Princess Polly, Zara, and Aritzia are commonly seen around campus. However, many of these brand’s marketing strategies and price points do not align with the stereotypical image of fast-fashion. Because of this, students who purchase these brands aren’t even aware that they’re contributing to the fast-fashion industry. 

Sustainable fashion aims to minimize the environmental impact of the production and consumption of clothing by using eco-friendly materials, using equitable working conditions, and promoting consumer awareness. Reformation, Veja, and LoveShackFancy are examples of brands seen on campus that embody environmentally-conscious principles. Creating a sustainable wardrobe, however, doesn’t require breaking the bank. More affordable alternatives include shopping locally, buying secondhand clothing online like Depop, Poshmark, or TheRealReal, utilizing Deerfield’s student-run thrift store, or sharing clothes with friends to get the most wear out of each item. 

Vivian Wan ‘25 began thrifting at the start of high school as her individual sense of style began to emerge. “I think the beauty of the thrift,” said Vivian, “Is that you get a cross-section of the clothes that everyone in a society wears—there’s so many different styles represented”. She also expressed concern with the detrimental effects of the fashion industry, and feels rewarded by doing her part to reduce her impact by secondhand shopping. 

With small steps and increased awareness, students at Deerfield can help shape a more sustainable future in fashion. Simple actions such as donating to and purchasing from the Deerfield thrift store can reduce the environmental toll of the industry by rethinking how we buy and discard clothing. Ultimately, we strive to make fashion choices that show our individuality and commitment to protecting our planet.