Why I'm Taking Remake's #NoNewClothes Pledge from June to September 2022
This summer I am not going to buy any new clothing. You may be wondering “wow that's ambitious” ….. and “man she must be foolish to think she can pull it off”. And I think you are right! The first time I tried this pledge, I was a senior in college and so not ready for the challenges it would bring on. It really surprised me because it helped me realize how much I shop and how much I was spending every month. After my terrible first try at this pledge, I am now ready for round three! I had also previously attempted to do this pledge in 2022, but the chaos of the world pushed this away. It is very easy to forget the finer points in life when you become overwhelmed and stressed.
What Signing The #NoNewClothes Pledge May Mean To You
Taking the Remake pledge will mean something different for everyone. The first time I signed the pledge, it made me feel like I was finally part of a like-minded community. I also liked how I still had a sense of autonomy to learn and grow. And my second try, during the pandemic’s lockdown, allowed me to remember the importance of taking small (but mighty) action. It inspired me to stay aware of the impact of my actions and choices. And this year, Remake’s pledge is an additional aspect to spreading awareness of fast fashion.
Remake explains that by signing the pledge you will be able to do the following:
Join Remake's community by no longer purchasing new clothes for 90 days
Reflect on our culture's consumption habits and consider how you can play a role in shaping the future of the fashion industry
Remake is flexible with how you stop shopping and how you reflect on your consumption habits. This is because everyone is at a different point in their journey. Remake explains that “pledge-takers limit themselves to purchasing no apparel, while others only limit their purchasing of “new products”.This means you can decide what the pledge means to you!
Top Reasons To Sign The Pledge
You may already be aware of the issues in the fashion industry and have some understanding of this pledge. If so, that is great. And if I am wrong, I am glad you found this blog post. But what really matters is that you find a reason to practice sustainability through your fashion choices. Remake explains that you should pledge to buy no new clothes because it helps to:
Limit landfill waste
Reduce carbon footprint by reduced consumption of water-intensive and C02 emitting products
Divert money into fast fashion brands
Save money from reduced shopping
Reflect versus going to shopping
Consider your role in the fashion industry
Reduce your consumption of clothing
Rewear what you own
Choose second hand first
Rent versus owning clothing
All of these reasons are important and you can choose to learn anything listed in further detail at your own pace. It is perfectly okay if you “mess up” …..or that you end up forgetting about the pledge. Life is definitely unpredictable and chaotic. It just matters that you try it and to see what happens!
What It Means To Me To Sign The #NoNewClothes Pledge This Year
Signing the Remake pledge will mean committing my privileges towards the care of the earth, and to be mindful of my consumeristic actions. I have the time, energy and ability these next few months to not shop. This may sound like an understatement, but let's just think about it! I am lucky enough to have really great staple pieces that I know I can wear for work and for hangouts. Meaning I don’t have to buy pieces because I already own great things! I also have the energy to focus on my values and beliefs, versus worrying what my next meal will be. It is also worth noting that if you have the ability to say no to a purchase then you also have the means to pay for it.
Lower income individuals are often forced to say no to both their desires and needs. Someone struggling to pay the bills (like me last year) will most likely not remember to NOT shop. I think it is also a good reminder that this pledge should not take precedence of maintaining a stable and normal life. If I happen to end up needing a pair of dress pants for work, etc. then I will buy them. And this grace is important when we realize too that not shopping is not the entire solution to the issues in the fashion industry.
This pledge is not a holistic approach to the issues in the fashion industry. Given my time, energy and commitment to this pledge, it also means taking further action. This is because I have the means to organize. I am currently leading the Slow Fashion USA national team to educate and empower people around slow fashion! This is important to create positive change in the fashion industry by reaching people across the nation.
Next Steps
Consider signing Remake’s #NoNewClothes Pledge here! The commitment is from June 1st to September 1st. If you can’t do the entire four months, that is ok! And if you want to do it for the whole year, go for it! See how Remake’s #NoNewClothes pledge works for your lifestyle and needs. Consider signing up to my newsletter to receive intentional information and updates highlighting diverse voices in the sustainable fashion industry! And follow me on social media to continue to be plugged into ethical fashion.
