THE DRESSEMBER BLOG

College is a stressful time of life where convenience inevitably becomes our priority. It’s hard to manage a full school workload, extracurricular activities, jobs, and taking care of ourselves as it is; how could we possibly find the time and mental capacity to create a sustainable wardrobe? But, fear not, this comprehensive guide on practicing slow fashion, designed especially for college students, and does all the heavy lifting for us.

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s day. I love a day to celebrate love, I love the idea that the whole world is celebrating love together, and I even love the pink and red hearts that flood marketing emails and grocery stores. At the same time, February 14th is a day that has been steeped in consumerism. Every year, whether out of love or obligation, people buy chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and more for the special people in their lives. In spite of the enmeshment of consumerism with Valentine’s Day, it is possible to approach this holiday ethically and consciously.

The rice has long since been thrown, the pictures have been hung, and the thank you cards have been sent. Your wedding day couldn’t have been more perfect.

Now, your big white dress hangs in your closet, wrapped in plastic and shoved behind that sweater you never wear but can’t seem to get rid of. You don’t think anyone would buy it, but you love it too much to trash it. So what are your options?

Earlier this year, the Dressember Foundation launched a survivor scholarship program in partnership with AnnieCannons, an organization with the stated mission of “[t]ransforming survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence into software engineers.” For the first time this year, AnnieCannons expanded their training program to survivors outside the San Francisco Bay Area through a fully-virtual program.

Summer has arrived and it’s easy to fall into patterns of overconsumption and fast fashion while putting together that summer wardrobe. We are challenging ourselves to think critically about our consumer habits and how to approach summer shopping patterns more ethically and sustainably. We invite you to join us!

Since its inception in 2009, Aruna has centered its mission around a model using a ‘flywheel effect’. This is done through incorporating elements of sustainability, awareness, holistic care and training and survivor-autonomy with the intention of creating an organization that perpetuates an upward cycle of ethical labor and slow-fashion products.

Here at Dressember, we value authentic, intersectional advocacy and a commitment to the fight against human trafficking. We believe our team embodies these values, and each works diligently to enact meaningful change within the Dressember community. So, what better way to understand more about Dressember’s advocacy journey than by meeting the team and learning just why they choose to advocate against human trafficking?

Prom is the crowning jewel of many teenagers’ high school careers. Many young women picture prom as the perfect night: perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect date and of course, the perfect dress. But many may have not yet considered that the prom industry has far from a perfect track record when it comes to the exploitation of garment workers and our planet.

Social media trends have kickstarted a drastic evolution in fast fashion—and not a good one. On platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, influencers can reach thousands, even millions, of people who want to be just as cool, (seemingly) post-able and relevant from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. Social media is a powerful force shaping consumption, especially fast fashion.

Cleaning out the closet is always a task, especially when it comes to finding the right way to get rid of clothes you no longer want or need. Being a conscious consumer isn’t limited to how you obtain clothing—it also includes what you do with that clothing when you’re done with it. Here at Dressember, we don’t think that should be a daunting task, which is why we are giving you tips and tricks on how to repurpose, resell or even recycle some of your old clothes.

Getting involved in ethical fashion can be quite easy to do with the help of clothing swaps. This is the practice of exchanging clothing with your friends and family. It can help save clothing from ending up in the landfill, provide a fun system to socialize and trade, and facilitate a like-minded community around ethical fashion. The fast fashion industry designs, produces and supplies clothing at a breakneck speed at the expense of workers, who are often vulnerable because of their immigration status or the lax labor laws in their countries.

Finding ethical fashion brands can be a struggle, but even more so for men. Even though the ethical fashion movement is gaining momentum, most of the new brands that pop up seem to be for women. Men who want to be conscious consumers often have to do more work to find ethical brands. But not anymore! We have researched ethical brands that you can wear with a clean conscience. All of these brands carry men’s clothing or make clothes specifically for men, and are on the affordable side for ethical brands.

If you’re reading this, you are probably already somewhat aware of the fact that the fast fashion industry is hopelessly tangled up with labor trafficking and environmental degradation. Maybe you’re tired of companies that are vague and evasive about their production processes, and you’re looking for fashion that is ethical and honest. Maybe you’ve even dipped a toe into the ethical fashion industry… and come away a little overwhelmed by all of the new lingo. Fairtrade, B-Corp, Global Organic Textile Standard—what do these even mean?

Over the last few years, large fast fashion companies have been called out, and rightfully so, for unethical practices. Fast fashion companies are those that strive to follow or create quick-moving trends that the consumer feels the need to keep up with. Fast fashion follows 52 different fashion “seasons,” and most clothing sold by these retailers is low-quality and only meant to last 3-5 wears before being replaced by another item. Since the cost of the items sold at stores such as Forever 21, Zara and H&M are so low, their garment workers are likely not paid a fair and livable wage.

Feb. 14 is a day that is filled with consumerism. Each year, people load up on chocolates, roses, jewelry and more for their significant other. Many holidays have become consumeristic. For instance, around Christmas, we see shelves filled with Santa decor, and around Halloween, we fill our homes with all things pumpkin. Valentine’s Day is filled with obligatory consumerism—meaning that individuals feel obligated to purchase something for their significant other. However, it is possible to approach this materialistic holiday in a mindful and ethical manner. Valentine’s Day is celebrated popularly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Australia.

The U.S. has one of the world’s largest apparel markets. However, you will find that 95% of the clothing sold here is made elsewhere. You might also believe that sweatshops are just a problem in developing countries, but they are prominent in the U.S. too. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, sweatshops are defined as factories that violate more than two labor laws. These laws can pertain to working conditions, wages, and benefits, and child labor.

When it comes to being a conscious consumer, being mindful of how sustainable the fabrics that you buy and wear are is essential. To make informed choices about the clothing that you purchase, it is important to take the time to do your research about who is making your clothes, how those who are responsible for making them are being treated and what they are made of. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you better understand which fabrics are sustainable and how to curate a more ethical wardrobe!