The issues of sustainability with autumn microtrends

It often feels impossible to avoid falling into the trap of autumnal microtrends when your social feeds are plastered with fold-over boots and faux fur coats. But now more than ever, sustainability is an afterthought to fashion.

Style at this time of year is often characterised by micro-labels such as ‘dark academia’, or iconic fictional characters’ wardrobes (think Bella Swan or Rory Gilmore). It’s impossible not to notice the way fast fashion websites feed into these quickly fleeting styles. My personal TikTok feed is determined to sell me slouchy pleather handbags and polyester skirts that will probably break after two wears and take 200 years to decompose. Shein and TikTok Shop might be the main perpetrators of the microtrend wave, but it’s important to remember that even pricier shops like Urban Outfitters and Zara are still far less sustainable than buying second-hand or repurposing old clothes. 

While you might feel the pressure to keep up, it’s easy to stay sustainable and still feel stylish without giving into fast fashion. Vinted, charity shops, and Depop (despite its reputation for high prices) are the best ways to find autumn styles at student-friendly prices while keeping a neutral carbon footprint. Newcastle’s many charity shops are home to countless hidden gems. While you’ll easily find trending fashion on second hand sites, it’s also important to buy for your own style! You’re far more likely to wear an item for years to come if you love the piece itself, rather than the trend associated with it. 

If you look back at autumn fashion trends over the last few years, you’ll notice that many of the trending colour palettes, silhouettes and styles are similar to the year before — despite this, fast fashion companies funnel thousands of new items out to consumers daily. Shein is known for adding an average of 2,000 new items to its website every day, causing excessive waste and pollution. As individuals, we have less power in fighting the major environmental impact caused by fast fashion brands, but we can all do our part.

This autumn, do your best to reduce your consumption of unsustainable clothing and accessories, and think twice about what you buy— will you wear this in a year, or will it gather dust in the back of your wardrobe?