In the age of online shopping, same-day delivery and fast fashion hauls it's easy for social media to trick young women into believing they need a new outfit for every event they're ever invited to. I used to believe the same thing and would have happily used attending Oaks Day today as an excuse to buy a new dress, shoes and headpiece even though I already own perfectly good ones. Maybe I still would have gone shopping for something new and trendy if it wasn't for the number 92.
READ MORE: Hers was once the most famous face in Australia. Now she goes by a different title It sounds bizarre at first, but that's how many millions of tonnes of textile waste the fashion industry produces every year as fast fashion and overconsumption continue to rise. Australia alone contributes about 300,000 tonnes of fashion waste annually and frankly I didn't want to contribute any more than I already do.
READ MORE: 'Only thing that changed': Why Nicky and Paris' bond shifted So when the sun rose over Melbourne on Oaks Day, I slipped on a dress I've owned for years, the exact same headband I wore to the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year, and my old faithful heels. None of what I wore was new or particularly on-trend but is being trendy really worth adding to Australia's already staggering output of textile waste? Thankfully, I wasn't alone in my sustainable approach on Oaks Day. Olympian Bronte Campbell was delighted to speak about the sustainable first-of-its-kind jacket she wore t.
