By Emma Bracken
As climate change and environmental issues continue to rear their heads across the globe, many people are wondering what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Electric cars, reusable water bottles, and solar power are all popular ways people incorporate environmentalism into their daily lives. One way that some people practice sustainability is also through their consumption of clothing and fashion.
While thrifting is a popular choice for many people, especially those of us trying to shop on a budget, there are many types of sustainable fashion. This could be crafting your clothing through sewing, knitting, or crocheting, which has had a resurgence of popularity in the post-pandemic years. Upcycling and modifying old clothes is another way people like to update their closets without having to run to a clothing store. Vintage shopping, clothes swaps, and online reselling are other points of access for people trying to explore the world of sustainability.
At the University of Arkansas, student Annalise Robins founded the Sustainable Fashion Club to share her passion for this subject with other students. Alongside Vice President Anna Pittman, Event Coordinator Gabby Friedhoff, and Treasurer Katy Ball, Robins leads students in combining their interests in fashion and environmentalism into something productive and accessible. The club has three committees that members can pick to work with, including student outreach and community, sustainability and education, and event planning and fundraising.
“I started thrifting when I was younger to make ends meet,” Robins said. “Then I got good at it. I found that there is a community of people reselling in Arkansas, which I never would have thought would be there. I loved it so much that I wanted to do it as a business and with a market of students at the university.”
The reselling and sustainable fashion communities here in Fayetteville were thriving even before the club formed, but seem to have gained a voice through their success. Robins described the creation of the club, which took just one Instagram post to gain traction and support. Their first-ever meeting had 45 attendees, willing and ready to get involved and just as passionate as the officers.
“We created a space for them to show up,” Ball explained. “We wanted a more accessible place for people to come.”
This is a key factor for the club, as they never want sustainability to be unrealistic or expensive for some. Being inclusive and open to all people is a necessary step in spreading awareness about the ways we can all form sustainable habits, especially in the world of fashion. The officers agreed that the most rewarding experiences thus far have been ones that bring people together, such as their pop-up markets at the Co-op.
“Students and non-students will show up. People drive by and come check it out because they’re curious,” Ball said. “So many people have (thrifting and reselling) as their hobby. They’re already so passionate about it.”
Though the larger community seems very tuned into the business and personal financial positives of secondhand shopping, many of us forget why sustainability is so important. The club wants to spread awareness of the environmental consequences of fast fashion and over-consumerism, which they see rampant across the college campus. Friedhoff shared her experience being in a sorority, where there is consistent pressure for a quick outfit or costume price relating to themed events. While many participants find it easiest to turn to the cheapest online clothing store they can find, lots of that clothing just ends up in landfills. To combat this, she and her friends have found creative ways to use pieces they already have or explore the thrift stores to still express themselves and have fun within the realm of sustainability.
“My view of fashion has changed so much,” Robins said. “Clothing can’t be recycled most of the time. A huge part of sustainability is knowing we don’t need more clothes. We’re filling landfills, we don’t need to buy more.”
Social media has played a part in the pressure to consume and constantly participate in new trends, especially among young people. The club hopes to encourage people to find their personal style and resist feeling like they have to buy every new trendy piece. This way, both self-expression and sustainability can thrive.
Living in a college town, we have access to different climate-friendly lifestyle choices and activities. Public transport and bike trails are available to the community, though not a realistic option for every individual. Fashion is a universal, accessible way to live more sustainably that is financially accessible and often cheaper than its less environmentally friendly alternative. Whether it’s taking part in the Sustainable Fashion Club or other environment-focused groups on campus or just thrifting for yourself, everyone can make a difference in some way.
The club has several upcoming events for students looking to get involved. On March 5, there will be an open model casting call for their Denim Day Fashion Show at the 504 Unions at SEC West from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The fashion show will take place in the Verizon Ballroom at the Student Union April 24. On March 26, the club is hosting a block printing workshop in promotion of the Springtime of Youth student concert happening in April. This event will take place in the Student Union as well from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The club often does student market pop-ups at the Co-op grocery store’s patio on Saturdays, the next taking place March 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On April 27, the Sustainable Fashion Club will partner with Zero Hour Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas Landtrust to throw a “Party like it’s 2050” night market and concert. The club will also be having an info session in the near future to share details about a new course being offered by the university in the fall centered on sustainable fashion, taught by Dr. Lance Cheramie.
As well as attending club events, students can explore spots for vintage and thrift finds across Fayetteville. Dirtbag Vintage and Thrift hosts pop-up markets where you can both shop and sell, as well as has its own collection of pieces to shop from throughout the week. Signora Solare is another locally-owned reselling shop here in Fayetteville, and they also have an online catalog. The Attic, Cheap Thrills, and Library of Vintage are other locally-owned options. Fayetteville has numerous other thrift, vintage, and consignment stores for anyone interested in shopping secondhand, or donating and selling their own pieces.