Hi Travelers,
I was scrolling through YouTube and came across a 7-minute summary of a book by Elizabeth L. Cline titled “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.”
The book, though published in 2013, is still quite relevant today, as it contains many astonishing facts. Here’s one: Only 2 percent of the clothing U.S. consumers purchase these days is manufactured in the United States, as opposed to approximately 50% in 1990. Cline’s theory is that consumerism, fashion trends, and social media’s “relentless image consciousness” contribute to a desire for what the author terms “disposable clothing.” In fact, at the time the book was published, 12.7 million tons of fashion waste was being discarded annually in the U.S. alone. So, imagine the detrimental effects of all those synthetic materials on the environment globally.
Today’s “fast fashion” consumerism encourages shoppers to visit their local discount retailer or big box store or online site, and purchase shoes and clothing for a minimal cost that will last long enough for the fashion trend to pass. Think bell bottoms vs. skinny jeans, mini vs. midi skirt lengths, or wide vs. narrow ties, lapels, etc.
Cline feels that this disposable clothing trend damages not only the economy but our environment and even “our souls.” The book contains all the data to prove her point including the fact that since the emergence of the “fast fashion” phenomenon, the nonprofit we all know and love, Goodwill Industries, “sold 163 million pounds of used clothes and household items” in 2010 alone. In the 14 years since, that accumulated number could easily have reached nearly 2.3 billion pounds. That’s a lot of discarded fast fashion. But at least it’s being recycled!
For nudists, these facts are particularly disturbing because collectively they already understand the danger to the environment that “disposable clothing” creates. As a basic tenet of the nudist/naturist lifestyle, members of the American Association for Nude Recreation regularly participate in activities to help protect the environment -- from beach clean ups to, yes, clothing drives. Nudists have little need, or desire, for cheaply made clothing trends dictated by social media and the fashion industry. And, of course, nudists already recognize that wearing clothes creates a disconnect from the natural world and the freedom one enjoys when feeling the air and sun on one’s body.
Now, to be totally transparent, nudists don't wear clothing when possible, but do so when practical (on cold days nudists do bundle up); and many have a strong sense of style they like to call “nudist chic.” It’s practiced at home and whenever on Nakation (that’s a vacation to a nudist or clothing-optional resort). Nudists do promote their sense of style with their choice of footwear, hair ornaments, sunglasses, hats and jewelry. Who knew, right!
You can read more about wholesome nude recreation and the benefits of naturism at www.aanr.com.
Naturally yours,