Introduction – Tessa
Should we all go naked? If you ask Earth, then yes.
The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters of our environment and water. For a long time, it has been clear that fast fashion is bad in every aspect that exists. Workers are exploited, the environment is polluted, landfills are overflowing with new clothes and, and, and … Many people have been searching for sustainable and ethical solutions, but with shops like Shein, who is the biggest polluter in fashion according to yale climate connections (1), the problem increases more and more. Maybe the only way to actually wear sustainable clothes, is to not do it at all. You know, really lean into the German stereotype of loving nudeness. We agree, this solution is not for everyone…
In this article, we will firstly interview one of the biggest experts on sustainability and then explore other possible solutions in a self-experiment. We, being Svenja and Tessa, two students from the Leuphana University Lüneburg, who are interested in how we can use fashion more sustainably and how different cities implement thrifting and other forms of giving clothing a second life.
Expert Interview – Tessa
“Most humans have a really shitty fashion sense. It hurts me to my core and makes me feel hot and cold at the same time” – Earth
Did you ever wonder what the earth thinks of your clothing style?
We did and so we asked Earth if they would be open to an interview with us.
We met Earth in a small ecological cafe in the south of Hamburg. As they just rushed over from a different meeting, they were a bit hectic. I assumed this was the reason that Earth was sweating quite a lot during our talk. While we set up, they seemed very unbalanced in their moods and I noticed some ill-looking spots all over their face. Of course, I did not comment on it, but it made me worried. Nonetheless, Earth was very polite and accommodating, almost people pleasingly so, for our whole interview. Let’s dive in!
I: It is a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for taking your time for this interview!
Earth (E): The pleasure’s all mine!
I: As we already talked about, this interview is about fashion and especially the fashion sense or rather style maybe of us, humans. For many of us, fashion plays a part in our day to day lives, for some its a huge part, for some less. How important is fashion for you?
E: Very! But I guess not in the same way as it is for you. For you it is about self-expression, about fun but also practical, needed for staying warm – in a sense a protection, an armor against the sun, the cold, for your skin and your whole body but also against judgment and public humiliation, right?
I: You could say that, yes. In a lot of ways it also signals belonging to a certain group and is a big part of self-identity.
E: Right. For me, it is about more than that. It is about living or dying almost.
I: How?
E: Well (They take a deep breath and closed their eyes for a second, looking very tired.) Did you know that the clothing industry and especially textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of water (2)?
I: I actually did not know that. Thank you for enlightening me! How?
E: Yeah. Firstly, the sourcing of fibers, such as cotton, requires significant water, land and energy. But today not all clothes are made with cotton. Synthetic fibers are getting more and more common. They make up nearly 70% of your clothes and the creation of those involve chemical and energy-intensive processes (3).
I: And those chemicals get into the water, right?
E: Right. But those synthetic fibers are also derived from fossil fuels and during the production greenhouse gases are emitted.
I: Oh wow. So what are other reasons that the clothing industry is such a big water polluter?
E: Well, the second one is microplastic. Clothing waste makes up around 9% of microplastic pollution (4) , which obviously goes into the water and harms sea life and humans alike.
I: That’s tough! So we all should just go naked then? To avoid all this pollution?
E: If you ask me like that, then yes. But I know there are good reasons for you to wear them and of course I don’t want to take that away from you. First of all, you could recycle your worn clothes more. Only 20% of clothing waste worldwide is recycled and the US alone throws away 13 million tons of clothing every year. Imagine now just wearing half of it longer or recycling it properly (5). Secondly, a good solution could be reusing more clothes. Just because you don’t like a certain top anymore, doesn’t mean no one will ever like it again. Ask your friends to swap clothes, bring them to your local thrift shop and so on. You also do not always have to buy something newly made. Lots of clothes are being resold online, even some of the newest collections, if you have to be trendy… And you can even save money while doing so.
I: Wow, this actually does not sound as hard as I thought. What a good way to end this interview. Thank you so much, Earth. For your time, your honesty and your advice!
Fashion Blog – Svenja
After our enlightening (and slightly guilt-inducing) conversation with Earth, we decided to step up our game. Could we make more conscious fashion choices without sacrificing our personal style—or our wallets? The answer: thrifting and exploring unique spaces like „Die Zwiebel“ (The Onion) in Lüneburg, as well as learning about thrift swaps in Gainesville, Florida.
Thrifting and clothing swaps offer a stylish solution. Plus, it’s like a treasure hunt—except every find is a win for you and the planet.
Let’s be honest: there’s nothing quite as satisfying as finding a one-of-a-kind gem for a fraction of its original price. Whether it’s a vintage leather jacket or the perfect pair of worn-in jeans, thrift stores are full of surprises.
Here’s how to master the art of thrifting:
1. Go with an open mind: You never know what you’ll find, so keep your options broad.
2. Check for quality: Look for durable fabrics and timeless pieces that will last. Check out this guide to find out how! https://crownandstep.com/2025/02/17/how-to-spot-quality-finds-while-thrifting-a-complete-guide/?srsltid=AfmBOooMfGtMR60eJEk6M3mfuT9kQdsojVHDlfqkvdWCNQ9YAha9oH2x
3. Think creatively: An oversized blazer? Belt it for a chic silhouette. A flowy dress? Hem it for a fresh look.
And if you don’t have the necessary gold doubloons for a treasure hunt? There are solutions like “Die Zwiebel”. Located in the Rotes Feld district of Lüneburg, Die Zwiebel is a gifting space on the campus of Leuphana University. It’s a treasure trove where clothing, books, and other items are freely shared among the community. The concept is simple: bring what you no longer need and take what you like.
Visiting Die Zwiebel felt like stepping into a microcosm of sustainable living. The shelves were brimming with clothes of all kinds, from basic staples to quirky vintage finds. You can find a cozy knit cardigan, or a fun graphic tee that has all the charm of a thrift store treasure.
The best part? There’s no money involved—just a spirit of sharing and reuse. It proves that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In the changing room at Die Zwiebel, the words above the mirror said it all: ‚Tauschen ist toll’—Swapping is great! A simple phrase that captures how sustainable fashion can be easy, fun, and accessible to everyone through community-based solutions.
Our partners in Gainesville, Florida, shared insights about a similar experience with the University of Florida Thrift Club. Established in 2021, the club’s thrift swaps have become a hub for students passionate about slow fashion and upcycling.
Here’s how their events work:
● Participants bring at least one clothing item to swap.
● Items are collected and laid out by the executive board.
● Swappers take turns selecting new-to-them pieces.
● Any leftover items are donated to Peaceful Paths, a domestic violence center.
There are challenges the club faces like managing competitiveness at events and staying focused on community improvement. However, their vision is inspiring: expanding thrift swaps beyond the university, fostering community connection, and raising awareness about second-hand fashion.
Gainesville’s thrift swaps show how these events do more than reduce waste. They build community, support important causes, and offer an affordable way for college students to refresh their wardrobes. As our partners noted, they’ve even seen how these swaps can improve mental health by creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Thrifting and Swapping: A Sustainable Future
From Die Zwiebel’s gifting space to Gainesville’s thriving thrift culture, these initiatives prove that sustainable fashion can be inclusive, creative, and community-driven. By giving clothes a second life, we reduce waste, conserve resources, and foster connections with others who share a commitment to sustainability.
Whether it’s finding a gem at a thrift store, swapping items with friends, or supporting community-focused events like thrift swaps, small changes in how we approach fashion can make a big difference.
Conclusion – Svenja
The fashion industry’s impact on the planet is undeniable, but the solutions to mitigate this impact are both creative and accessible. Thrifting and swapping are powerful tools in this fight. These practices not only reduce waste and conserve resources but also empower individuals to make mindful choices that reflect their values. Spaces like Die Zwiebel and Gainesville’s Thrift Club demonstrate that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be expensive or exclusive. In fact, it can be a fun, community-driven experience that fosters connections and inspires innovation.
Choosing pre-loved clothing is a small but powerful step toward protecting the planet. Thrifting, swapping, and supporting local initiatives all contribute to a more sustainable future. It’s not about perfection but progress—prioritizing quality, longevity, and community over fast fashion. Every mindful choice creates a ripple effect, inspiring others and showing Earth we’re ready to do better.
While Earth might still dream of a nudist utopia, we think these efforts are a step in the right direction—toward a future where fashion truly becomes a force for good.
Sources
1 Kitajima Mulkey, S. (2024). Shein is officially the biggest polluter in fast fashion. in: Yale Climate Connections https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/09/shein-is-officially-the-biggest-polluter-in-fast-fashion-ai-is-making-things-worse/ last visited on: 07.03.2025
2 Wolfe, I. (2024, July 17). Textile Dyes Pollution: The Truth about fashion’s toxic colours – Good on you. Good on You. https://goodonyou.eco/textile-dyes-pollution/ last visited on: 07.03.2025
3 ibid.
4 Sparkman, L. (2024, February 14). Unraveling the impact of thrifting. Earth Day. https://www.earthday.org/unraveling-the-impact-of-thrifting/ last visited on: 07.03.2025
5 ibid
