In the mid-1980s, garment production went global, clothes got cheaper and our closets got bigger. While we once chose attire to fit seasonal demands – warmer, thicker layers in winter, for example – for many the significance of garments has shifted from practical need to social and emotional want. We simply like to shop and stay on-trend.
In the mid-1980s, garment production went global, clothes got cheaper and our closets got bigger. While we once chose attire to fit seasonal demands – warmer, thicker layers in winter, for example – for many the significance of garments has shifted from practical need to social and emotional want. We simply like to shop and stay on-trend.
But while hypertrendiness might ensure the perfect outfit for every microseason, it might also mean overstuffed closets, piles of unused clothes and a size-large fashion footprint. How trend sensitive are you? Are you a fashion vanguard or dyed-in-the-wool rebel?
Take our quiz to find out.
You are a…
Fashion Vanguard (41-50 points)
You don’t follow fashion, you make it. You enjoy clothes almost to the point of addiction, buying the very latest trends, keeping up to date with fashion news, and influencing others by your choices.
The downside: Though you might be making trends, you’re likely also making waste. From manufacture to disposal, every new garment has a social and environmental footprint.
Lower your impact: Do more with less. Invest in 1 high-quality item rather than 2 or more inexpensive variations. Look for vintage and sustainably made pieces whenever possible and consider renting for special, 1-off occasions.
You are a…
Style Connoisseur (31-40 points)
You enjoy shopping for and trying out new trends but also consider quality and personal style. Your look is influenced by the work you do and the company you keep. While you don’t subscribe to fashion magazines, you might peruse 1 at the dentist’s office.
The downside: Because your clothes are stylish and high-quality, you tend to keep them for many years. Your closet might be clogged with hidden gems you’ve forgot10.
Lower your impact: Shop your closet more than the stores. Don’t buy anything new unless it matches at least 3 items you already own. Make your timeless garments rock with accessories and a few trendier items. Take unwanted clothes to a swap event – fellow partygoers will appreciate your fashion advice. The classic nature of your wardrobe also means good resale value: Sell your unwanted items through a local consignment shop or websites like swapstyle.com.
You are an…
Independent (21-30 points)
Your clothes reflect your hobbies and lifestyle. They fulfill your needs as well as your desires, but rarely follow short-term trends. You choose value over luxury and look for great deals when purchasing clothes. You also enjoy browsing thrift shops and collecting vintage finds.
The downside: Without a clearly identified style, you might hoard racks of clothes you never actually wear and that could be put to better use.
Lower your impact: Purge your closet! Keep what you love, then use Pinterest to learn how to restyle clothes that aren’t quite right. Create a “YOUniform” (see “Strut Lightly,” page 34). Turn worn-out clothing into cleaning rags, and take remaining items to a second-hand store, community clothing swap or retailers with garment-collection programs,
such as H&M.
You are a…
Rebel (10-20 points)
Other than providing a chuckle, the word fashion has little to do with your life. You tend to avoid shopping, especially for clothes. When you do purchase something new, it is likely long-lasting and practical – either unremarkable or nerdy chic. You tend to scrutinize clothing labels and lean toward cotton and other natural fibres.
The downside: Though you of10 read tags, your disinterest in shopping might lead to quick buys that are not so ecofriendly.
Lower your impact: Invest some time in finding the most sustainable options for your needs and budget – even if that means buying more used items. Don’t restrict yourself to cotton! Look for linen and hemp as well as recycled fibres. And remember that even threadbare fabrics have fibre value to the used-clothing industry.
This quiz was adapted from Sabine Weber’s current research on textile waste and consumer behaviour. Questions are based on those used in “Drivers of clothing disposal in the US: An exploration of the role of personal attributes and behaviours in frequent disposal” by Chunmin Lang, Cosette M. Armstrong and Laura A. Brannon, published in the International Journal of Consumer Studies37:1 (2013).
Explore ways to recirculate your duds in our sharing guide, including how to get the most out of a clothing swap.
Sabine Weber worked for nearly 20 years in Europe as product manager/head of design in the fashion industry, and as an international buyer/team leader in retail before she came to Canada She pursued her passion for ethical and sustainable fashion by earning a Master’s degree in Environment and Resource Studies at uWaterloo with a focus in waste management and social marketing. Weber is a PhD student at uW, teaches at Seneca in the fashion program, and is almost always working on projects related to textile waste.
