Türkiye, like many different international locations, is grappling with the environmental penalties arising from its vogue trade. The attract of quick vogue, pushed by ever-changing tendencies, has led to an enormous carbon footprint, air pollution and useful resource depletion. A surprising statistic reveals that almost 25% of the youth in Türkiye ceaselessly renew their wardrobes, impressed by quick vogue retailers, contributing to dangerous landfill waste and extreme carbon emissions.
However, a ray of hope shines via the rising reputation of thrift buying, which not solely addresses the textile waste disaster but in addition fosters recycling and nature preservation.
In response to this urgent environmental concern, Daily Sabah took the initiative to hunt insights from varied sources. The newspaper reached out to an antiquarian, a bunch of fashion-forward teenagers, and a psychologist to realize a deeper understanding of the problems at hand and discover potential options to deal with this rising environmental hazard.
“The secondhand market is flourishing, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers gain a deeper appreciation for nature and the need for sustainable practices,” stated an Istanbul-based antiquarian.
Antiquarian Hamza Demirkapu, who advocates for the secondhand market, emphasizes its function within the round economic system. Unlike quick vogue, which produces lower-quality clothes usually discarded after a mere 10 wears, thrift buying gives longer-lasting garments that may be resold a number of occasions, creating much less waste.
“The shift toward thrift shopping is not only motivated by environmental concerns but also by a growing awareness of the social and economic benefits. As more consumers in Türkiye realize the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and labor, they are choosing secondhand apparel as a more sustainable and socially acceptable option,” stated Demirkapu.
During an interview with Meliha Abideen, a college-going teenager from Istanbul hailing from a middle-class household, she candidly revealed her strategy to maintaining with vogue tendencies. She stated, “I take up part-time jobs to afford the latest fashion pieces as I observe my peers flaunting remarkable brand-new season outfits.” She admitted feeling an irresistible urge to work further hours and buy the precise articles to remain in keeping with present tendencies.
Psychologist professor Sana Riaz sheds gentle on the phenomenon of “FOMO” (concern of lacking out) and its connection to the fun of buying new tendencies. “The hits of dopamine and adrenaline create a reward-seeking loop that causes us to reach for our debit card over and over again. Thrift shopping, on the other hand, can break this cycle by providing fashion accessories that cater to the desire for individuality without having to spend much.”
“In the past, wearing used clothes was seen as normal, but with the rise of industrialization and mass production, it became stigmatized. However, as times change, especially for students with limited budgets, buying secondhand clothes has become a practical and environmentally conscious choice,” stated Demirkapu.
Hamza’s research highlights the alarming fee at which the style trade modifications tendencies, leading to a lack of worthwhile assets. “Modern clothing lacks the durability and quality found in older garments, which could last for a decade or more. This shift in production and consumer behavior has led to an abundance of textile waste, particularly affecting underdeveloped and Third World countries,” stated Demirkapu.
To fight this waste, he suggests thrift shops like Topkapi Bit Pazar, Ferikoy Bit Pazar, Bakirkoy, and well-liked e-commerce platforms like Letgo and Dolap in Istanbul, the place folks can discover distinctive classic items and contribute to a extra sustainable future.
Inflation and the need for forward-fashion have additionally performed a major function within the reputation of thrift buying. As buying energy diminishes, Türkiye’s youth turns to thrift buying to remain modern with out overspending. Moreover, on-line marketplaces and social media apps have facilitated the commerce of used garments, catering to the rising demand for one-of-a-kind clothes.
Demirkapu highlighted an alarming concern associated to the environmental impression of artificial textiles, and remarked, “It cannot be underestimated, as these materials can take hundreds of years to decompose. The growing mountain of textile waste poses a serious threat to underdeveloped and Third World countries, affecting labor, exacerbating natural disasters, and impacting the economy.”
The shift towards thrift buying indicators a rising consciousness amongst Türkiye’s youth of the necessity for extra sustainable and environmentally accountable practices within the vogue trade. As the secondhand market beneficial properties momentum, it could finally outpace quick vogue, providing a glimmer of hope for a extra sustainable future. With aware shopper decisions and a will to embrace classic vogue, people can contribute to a more healthy planet and a brighter future for the world.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
