So my children, it is now 11.30 at night where I am and for some reason, instead of sleeping early, I thought it would be a good idea to blog. I have a whole list of things I wish to blog about (see, I do think of content!) and yet, at 11.30pm none of them are feasible. I really ought to start blogging when there is daylight so I can take appropriate photographs to accompany these posts. If we made mid-year resolutions, mine would most likely include that! In the meantime, I shall attempt to present a thought which has been developing in my mind of late:

These days, we’re all about pushing the green flag. Everything is eco-friendly, ethical, environmentally friendly and whatever other new fangled name there is. Fashion is no exception. By now, whoever is reading this is likely to have heard about the horrors of sweatshop labour, the abundance of pesticides and has had the term ‘throwaway’ bandied in their face.

credit: google // google

I have absolutely no problem with being eco-friendly. In fact, I encourage it where possible (much to the annoyance of family) and have probably mentioned my attempts previously on the blog. It’s wonderful when people recycle (whether it’s just reusing items or creating something new from the old) or actively choose to buy products which are fairtrade/organic etc. Yet I can’t help but think that it seems to have got to the stage where it’s become a trend in fashion - eco chic is the new cool.

The number of media articles and features (and indeed books) from the 6 months or so which discuss environmental/ethical issues relating to fashion is remarkable. In the sense that, if we went back a few years, the very idea was almost laughed at. Throw away culture was (and still is to many) part of life and let’s face it, eco clothing wasn’t as advanced as it is now. Yet now, the way in which the media hypes up ‘green’ issues does make it almost like a fad. As if, it’s another way to be ‘cool’ and ‘fit it’.

credit: abbytrysagain

Since this seems to be the case, my worry is that the eco culture being created isn’t sustainable. If we went back into the past (1940s for example), being sustainable was part of life. Okay, so in the 40s people may not have had much choice (the war and all), but it at least seems to me (with my ill-informed ways), that recycling & sustainability were ingrained into society rather than lapped up. I mean, sewing patterns were much cheaper for one thing! I have to admit, I quite resent the fact that magazines & other media are hyping it up. Not because I think people shouldn’t be more eco-friendly in life, but because I can just imagine in a few years time, it being completely cast aside as ’so last year’. And quite honestly, that is the last thing anyone wants!

There are so many places in the world where people are forced (as in they have no other choice) to recycle. Usually, yes, these are the poorer parts of the world - but clearly, they have the right idea. Sustainability is part of life where possible. And I just wonder, whether Britain, or wherever you happen to live, will be able to maintain this level of environmental/ethical fashion + style culture or whether it will be cast aside like last season’s dregs.

OVER TO YOU: what are your views of eco fashion? do you like it or dislike it? can you see ‘eco chic’ being sustainable? let’s get a bit of healthy discussion going on here…