Extending the life of clothes by an extra nine months of active use would reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by around 20–30% each.
A research report by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Program) in the UK has shown that increasing the active life of all clothing by nine months would reduce the annual carbon, water, and waste footprints of clothing by 20-30% each, and cut resource costs by £5 billion ($9.6 billion Australian Dollars).
WRAP highlighted in its report the key differences between physical durability and emotional durability of clothing. Physical durability relates to a garment's ability to withstand prolonged use before it degrades and is discarded. Emotional durability relates to how long a garment remains desirable to the consumer and relevant to fashion trends.
WRAP effectively identified that brands need to produce garments that are made with high-quality materials and construction, and designed with consideration. Consumers, on the other hand, need to take responsibility in choosing products that will last longer, withstand trends, and stay relevant and desirable. Both brands and consumers have a key role to play in correcting the industry imbalance created by fast fashion.
Reference: Valuing Our Clothes Report (2017), WRAP.
https://wrap.org.uk/sustainable-textiles/valuing-our-clothes%20