reporting by Julia Walker
images from KPMG and Thrift Club on Instagram
Cal Poly may be known for its nationally regarded STEM program, hands-on learning philosophy, and state-of-the-art labs, but what students may not be aware of is the major thrift culture that exists on campus. When students walk by Dexter Lawn on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a plethora of vendors sell used clothes and accessories, transforming the lawn into a hub of community and sustainable fashion efforts.
The fashion industry is a major contributor to pollution and climate, even known to be the 2nd worst polluting industry after oil and gas largely due to fast fashion.
Fast fashion can be defined as cheap, trendy clothing that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments at breakneck speed to meet consumer demand. The objective is to sell the newest styles as soon and as quickly as possible so consumers can feel they have access to the top trends at the height of their popularity, at the cost of sustainability and quality.
This fast fashion cycle has resulted in a major surplus of clothing, which harms the environment through the excess of harmful chemicals and nonbiodegradable materials used to keep up with constant demand for cheap, low-quality goods. Fast fashion is manufactured through a long supply chain of designing, sourcing, manufacturing and shipping, and is typically outsourced to developing countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines to help minimize some of these costs as many of the workers will work for extremely low wages, largely due to proper legal authorization and exacerbated by short-term contracts with the constant threat of termination.
Fast fashion manufacturers often face criticism for very unregulated and unsafe labor conditions such as inadequate sanitation and a lack of rest breaks at extremely low wages.
By contributing to fast fashion, we continue this ongoing cycle. While many new brands are cropping up as “sustainable,” and aim to source labor more ethically and use better quality materials, one of the best ways to contribute to sustainability is reusing what we already have and recirculating existing clothing rather than purchasing brand new items. Cal Poly students who are passionate about the issue have even developed an awareness regarding fast fashion even beyond the already thriving thrift culture on campus.
One of Cal Poly’s thrifting clubs, The Sustainable Fashion club, started in 2020, aims to promote sustainability on campus through their 3 main pillars: education, artistry, and community.
Lenaya Aiden-Gonzales, the Sustainable Fashion Club president, “We essentially try to educate the student body on topics like fast fashion, consumer awareness, and sustainable fashion practices. We also try to create space for students from various intersecting identities to come together as a community and celebrate artistry.”
The Sustainable Fashion Club offers a multitude of ways to become more educated and passionate about their own awareness of their contributions to the environment through informative Instagram infographics including “sustainable fashion literacy” and “water consumption in the industry”.
A popular way students champion sustainability on campus is by shopping from the variety of local vendors selling their used/thrifted items on Dexter Lawn on campus. Vendors commonly spread their wares on picnic blankets, or hang items on portable clothing racks. Smaller items are often placed in bins. As a result, Dexter Lawn transforms from a peaceful green to a colorful, busy thrift market known for the highest-quality used goods.
Allison Fash, a 4th year Anthropology and Geography major shared that she frequently visits Dexter Lawn. She finds the location convenient with her classes and said that they tend to offer college-age clothing while also offering higher quality items compared to other thrift shops.
Caroline Parker, a 3rd year Architecture major, told the Wire, “I try to come once every 2 weeks. I think the thrifting here on Dexter is nice here because it encourages me to sell my own stuff and contribute to the culture here on campus.”
Besides the thrifting on Dexter Lawn, here are many ways to partake in Cal Poly’s dedication to sustainable fashion through events including:
Sustainability Sunset
An event for incoming students to learn about the Sustainability Fashion Club (SFC) and its mission through fun opportunities including purchasing handmade items by student vendors, thrift shopping and swapping.
“Swap n’ Shops”
A Sustainable Fashion Club opportunity to swap sustainable clothing pieces and support student vendors with their handmade items.
Beta Theta Thrift x Sustainable Fashion Club
An event for Greek Life to collaborate on promoting sustainability and support that is typically not associated with sustainable fashion practices in the sense that they are typically known for constant merchandise rollout.
Fashion Fairs
An event typically held once a quarter, also considered to be a Swap n Shop, is a fun opportunity that includes collaborations with local vendors, activities, performances, and food to build community.
Annual Spring Fashion Show
A collaborative event held at the end of Spring with the Fashion, Innovation, Trendsetting, and Styling club, also known as FITS, the other fashion club on campus. This event is completely student-run.
Outside of environmentally-friendly fashion events, Cal Poly offers a variety of other ways to become involved with sustainability, including:
CP Green Campus
A Cal Poly club dedicated to sustainability and conservation.
Eco Reps
A club that focuses on creating a culture of environmental stewardship.
Zero Waste Ambassadors
A club dedicated to educating the campus community about sustainable waste disposal.
Next time you’re about to hit “place order” on that online shopping site or slide your credit card at the local retail store, consider the alternatives available through Cal Poly’s vibrant thrifting culture. There’s nothing closer and more environmentally-friendly than receiving the item directly into your hands at our very own Dexter Lawn!