Style Does Not have to Cost the Earth

Principal Investigator:
Jazmarie Gutierrez

Co-PIs:
Xiaoxue Han, Yiyao Chen, Xuan Li, Gabriella Scotto

Faculty Advisor:
Min-chung Han

Abstract:
Our team's goal is to promote both style and sustainability through thrifting. The mass production of fast fashion through common retail stores like Forever 21, Zara, and more are responsible for a large portion of our landfills. The average American consumer of fast fashion is responsible for around 11.3 million tons of textile waste each year. However, this can be resolved through the up-cycling of second-hand clothing items to prevent the overconsumption of mass produced clothing items. By creating a social media and online campaign targeting teens and young adults, we believe that we can encourage people to limit their retail consumptions and focus on creating a sustainable style. Through Instagram reels and Youtube shorts, we will provide short form video clips showing easy-to-achieve outfits while challenging viewers to do the same on a budget. It will emphasize the environmental, economic and social advantages of choosing second-hand clothing over new purchases. Additionally, it will discuss strategies for increasing participation in second-hand shopping and fostering a culture of frugality, including the promotions of sustainable fashion practices and the debunking of stigmas associated with thrifting.