Great work! It's also interesting to think of these luxury good companies using very cheap materials, like plastics, in their extremely expensive products. Plastic is looked down upon when being sold at Walmart, but if you buy it from the Row, suddenly it's chic.....and even though I know why that marketing magic trick works, I'm surprised it still fools people.
I think Crocs are past trend though, and since they're affordable thus accessible they should be given grace - especially given how the Croc wearers I know wear the ever-loving crap out of them, lol. Plastic in some regards is a necessary evil.
I so appreciate this! Recently a sock brand I enjoy debuted plastic “bubble slides”; and while I *loved* the design (as a 90s kid I’m a sucker for translucent glittery items) I just could not see past the plastic that will end up in a landfill. When I brought it up in the comments on their IG post, the response was so disheartening, with someone berating me for making a big deal out of shoes and then reassuring me that they aren’t single-use, so they will last awhile…but all I can see is the end of life! 😔🚮
Sundressed: Natural Fabrics and the Future of Clothing is also a really good read. When you start looking at labels it's shocking how many garments are made of plastic/polyester. I'm surprised about the Row! But shouldn't be. Luxury labels are passing off tons of plastic garments.
love this idea of material literacy.. as an environmental designer this is so foundational to my work; would love to see more people thinking about/talking about this in mainstream spheres xx
This is an excellent piece and I’ve learnt a lot. It has parallels with something I read recently about our addiction to LEGO and how difficult it is to create a durable product without crude oil. The amount of children’s products that are potentially hazardous or environmentally damaging is alarming.
One other assistant with decreasing the waste is to own fewer shoes. Thirty or forty pairs of shoes, most of which are rarely worn is obscene. A pair for every outfit should be considered a sin against society.
I bought a pair of Melissa jelly shoes this summer and they are both comfortable and made from their own type of PVC that is plant based and recyclable
Damn I wish I had known about them before buying the Iro flat from Ancient Greek Sandals. They are super comfortable and I was definitely planning on wearing them more than one summer, e.g. while playing at the pool with my sun. But I definitely overlooked the phthalates issue before buying them. Learned a lot in this article, sadly a bit too late
hello. I am subscribing because your Mom is special . I also liked your subject matter and wish we could do away with plastic altogether but think that is impossible.
I would enjoy the letter a bit more if it were about half as long....??
Great work! It's also interesting to think of these luxury good companies using very cheap materials, like plastics, in their extremely expensive products. Plastic is looked down upon when being sold at Walmart, but if you buy it from the Row, suddenly it's chic.....and even though I know why that marketing magic trick works, I'm surprised it still fools people.
I hit the heart button even before I read.
Can we add Crocs to this too?
I think Crocs are past trend though, and since they're affordable thus accessible they should be given grace - especially given how the Croc wearers I know wear the ever-loving crap out of them, lol. Plastic in some regards is a necessary evil.
I so appreciate this! Recently a sock brand I enjoy debuted plastic “bubble slides”; and while I *loved* the design (as a 90s kid I’m a sucker for translucent glittery items) I just could not see past the plastic that will end up in a landfill. When I brought it up in the comments on their IG post, the response was so disheartening, with someone berating me for making a big deal out of shoes and then reassuring me that they aren’t single-use, so they will last awhile…but all I can see is the end of life! 😔🚮
Sundressed: Natural Fabrics and the Future of Clothing is also a really good read. When you start looking at labels it's shocking how many garments are made of plastic/polyester. I'm surprised about the Row! But shouldn't be. Luxury labels are passing off tons of plastic garments.
love this idea of material literacy.. as an environmental designer this is so foundational to my work; would love to see more people thinking about/talking about this in mainstream spheres xx
This is an excellent piece and I’ve learnt a lot. It has parallels with something I read recently about our addiction to LEGO and how difficult it is to create a durable product without crude oil. The amount of children’s products that are potentially hazardous or environmentally damaging is alarming.
carly, this was AMAZING!!! can't wait to read more from you.
Wow thank you SO MUCH!! ❤️
👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
Such a well written article!
Thank you so much for reading!! :)
Such a great article! I can't wait to read more of your writing!
Wow!!! Thank you so much! :)
Wow, this was incredible and I am SO glad I read this!! Thank you for this wonderful and informative piece.
Thank you so much for reading!!
Learned so much, thanks for writing this!
A must-read
One other assistant with decreasing the waste is to own fewer shoes. Thirty or forty pairs of shoes, most of which are rarely worn is obscene. A pair for every outfit should be considered a sin against society.
I bought a pair of Melissa jelly shoes this summer and they are both comfortable and made from their own type of PVC that is plant based and recyclable
Damn I wish I had known about them before buying the Iro flat from Ancient Greek Sandals. They are super comfortable and I was definitely planning on wearing them more than one summer, e.g. while playing at the pool with my sun. But I definitely overlooked the phthalates issue before buying them. Learned a lot in this article, sadly a bit too late
hello. I am subscribing because your Mom is special . I also liked your subject matter and wish we could do away with plastic altogether but think that is impossible.
I would enjoy the letter a bit more if it were about half as long....??