#NoNewClothes Remake Challenge: Three Month Reflection Recap

Written by Elle Magana Mireles 

Embarking on Remake’s challenge of consuming #NoNewClothes from June 1st up until September 1st has been quite an experience. I thought it would have been easier this year round since I had semi-participated in 2019, but oh I was wrong! 

If you are not familiar with the #NoNewClothes pledge, this campaign asks us to look at our relationship with fashion, how clothing affects the Earth and the way we are interconnected with garment workers. It encourages a positive relationship with fashion where people and the planet are placed first. 

Reflection 

1st Month: June 

Beginning on June 1st, the sweltering, hot summer days made my three hand me down shorts a sheer torture. Never being a fan of warm weather, I’ve never indulged in buying clothing for the occasion. Instead, my three ill fitting shorts have been my standard  go-to option for every summer. There really has never been any need for me to own trendy/fashionable shorts in the latest cut and style since I lock myself every summer in the coolness of my house. 

But in quarantine, the need for a pair of comfortable, loose fitting cotton/polyester mix shorts grew more and more intense. The itchy feeling of guilt and remorse of knowing I wanted to buy them new prevailed in me. This was from the anxiety of not wanting to go to a (potentially unsafe) thrift store. The need for the shorts came to be so much that I found myself paying for a pair of $10 dollar shorts from Walmart. 

And if you know anything about me, Walmart clothing is a big NO NO. However, with a sweep of my hand I had quickly grabbed them from the rack. I hadn’t even bothered to check if they were too short, good for sleeping or appropriate for double use for active wear! 

It was like my brain disconnected from my inherent values in sight of an alluring, brightly lit store and seductively arranged clothing options. This unconscious purchase, despite understanding the need for the shorts, was disturbing to me to think about. The imperfection of not having indefinite 100% self discipline and completely zoning out from a pledge was disheartening. I had hoped in my mind’s eye that the purchase would have been more thoroughly researched, scrutinized and carefully made. 

This quick mistake was made within the first weeks of my embarkment of the pledge. It made me consider just giving up and how I wasn’t good enough compared to the flawless sustainable fashion bloggers/influencers on my Instagram 

Honestly, this is why I had quite Remake’s #NoNewClothes campaign in 2019. I  hadn’t been perfect and it made me feel like a failure. But, the difference this year was that I knew perfection wasn't realistic and the journey to progress was more important than anything else.

Despite my first mistake in this month, I felt like I was learning a lot more about sustainable fashion then ever before!  It helped me stay more passionate about my blog and allowed me to be more receptive to what other sustainable fashion experts were talking about. This was a fresh air after a turmolous two years of navigating soul stripping jobs after graduating from college. 

Also, it was inspiring seeing the persistence of eco lovers and activists that genuinely believed in creating true change to fix serious problems on Earth. This made me doubt my pessimistic outlook. As I attended more and more zoom meetings/ insta lives that the founder of Remake, Ayesha Barenblat, attended and/or hosted, I noticed how she would always explain that she was an optimist. At first, I would sadly take that statement in and consider whether there was a valid point in thinking that way. Yet that statement and her hopeful smile remained in my mind more than anything else within that month for this pledge. 

2nd Month: July 

In July, the heat rose like a vicious hand slowing suffocating you in its oppressive warmth. Most days were spent in the living room where the air conditioner hummed at a steadfast pace. There was no real need to have outfits for each day since I was only surrounded by my brothers, had no friends over and had no work meetings. Comfort was essential to me and I turned to my Walmart shorts for sleep wear, lounge wear and workout wear. They were washed frequently because of the heavy use but I was relieved that they were holding up well. 

Buying clothes wasn't really a temptation to me because there was no real need for it. I also had no real desire for clothing because of my hatred towards summer. Instead, I often envisioned cooler weather with darker skies so I could wear ugly sweaters, over sized cardigans and quirky jeans with chunky boots or vintage sneakers. 

Instead of buying clothing, I found myself at the store looking at household items. My focus was now naturally changing with the goal of not buying any new clothes. This helped me imagine what my dream trailer home would look like and feel like. It helped make my goal of owning my own small home seem even more real and exciting to have! 

3rd Month: August 

As soon as August 1st came around, that famous Chicago chilly breeze sneaked its way into my house. I am currently excited to wash all my clothing that has been stored in garbage bags in the garage. (They were dumped there after I graduated college and never really made any time to settle back into my home city.) Also, I actually have found numerous vintage Levi pants from the 80/90’s that my mom had stored in the attic. I love all things vintage and quirky looking on my body so I know this will help me from not buying from the thrift store like previous years. 

And within the first six days of August, I continue to be fascinated on how fashion is a never ending learning experience. There is so much to be understood and I’m excited to delve into how sustainable fashion is intersectional to other topics and issues. Hopefully, I won’t make any more impulsive mistakes this month! No promises can be made, but progress can. 

The challenge won’t end until September 1st, so there is still time to join! In addition, you can continue the challenge for as long as you want.

Sign the pledge here and participate for one more month….. or even for the whole year!