I’ve been thinking a lot about the connection between minimalist fashion and textile waste. On the surface, it truly seems pretty straightforward: fewer clothes purchased equals less waste. But is it really that simple? A true minimalist wardrobe, focusing on durable, timeless pieces, theoretically cuts down on the fast fashion cycle and the mountains of clothing ending up in landfills.
However, I wonder about the broader impact. Are people actually buying fewer clothes or are they just replacing a larger wardrobe of cheaper items with a smaller wardrobe of more expensive, “minimalist” pieces? If those expensive items are still being produced in ways that aren’t sustainable, are we really making a difference? And what about the potential for increased consumption of specific minimalist brands marketed as “essentials”?
Essentially, I’m wondering if minimalist fashion, as it’s frequently enough practiced, is just a different form of consumerism, or if it truly has the potential to create a notable reduction in textile waste on a larger scale. What are your thoughts and experiences?