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SUSTAINABILITY

The Reckless Abandon Boutique actively considers the environment in which we live to be of utmost importance. With an affinity for the ocean, creating and maintaining sustainable practices are in the forefront of my mind and affect every decision I make, regardless of profitability. For this reason I actively encourage you to be mindful of your purchases, and please only buy it if you absolutely love it! That way it will always be worn, and/ or passed down to others. 

There are many little things I do to support the environment, and I'm open to learning more. First and foremost: fabric. Polyester, nylon, and vinyl (aka 'vegan leather') is plastic. They are non-biodegradable and therefore not sustainable. 

While I'd like to sell 100% Australian made products - preferably locally made products to save on jet fuel - an argument for the environment over politics will have the environment win every time. For example, I would choose a 100% cotton dress made in China, over a similar dress made in Australia from polyester. Of course, the environmental cost of shipping also has to be weighed in this equation, along with other factors, such as quality of the cotton produced, pesticide use, and fabric dying practices, which can destroy livestock, contaminate groundwater and/ or cause intergenerational illnesses within villages. 

There's a plethora of free information on fashion sustainability and ethical practices, but if you'd like a crash course I recommend watching the film, The True Cost. You will need a box of tissues close by.

Watch it free here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp0Bx0awoE 

I'm not completely immune to the charms and uses polyester can have, after all, quality poly can be very functional, and there are industries (people's livelihoods) that depend on it. There is a lot to learn and I promise I will keep on learning. 

Until recently, I believed that polyester fabric made from recycled PET bottles was a grand idea. Then an article revealed that once PET plastic metamorphosized from it's original state into say, a t-shirt or jeans, it can no longer become another thing and thus ending its lifecycle. Or, more to the truth, it will live on forever and ever in a waste-dump somewhere with all the others. But a PET bottle can become another PET bottle can become another PET bottle...

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/06/clothes-made-from-recycled-materials-sustainable-plastic-climate

I do my best not to sell fast fashion. But when I do, I choose natural fibres like cotton, linen, and wool. Wool is king. And sheep enjoy getting a good shearing. Garments that contain synthesized cellulose fibres, such as viscose and rayon, are chosen carefully for their hand-me-down longevity and other qualities. 

The Reckless Abandon Boutique keeps a rack of 'Once-Loved' garments that have been worn, washed, and detailed for resale. These garments are of high quality and range between sizes 6 and 22.  

I’m deeply grateful to all those in the fashion and textile industry who champion sustainability and ethical production. Whether fighting for fair labor practices in both first and third world countries or holding businesses accountable for overproduction driven by greed, their efforts pave the way for a more transparent and responsible industry. These are the voices that challenge greenwashing and demand real change—both from the big players and the small businesses that embrace integrity over profit.

There is a lot of plastic involved in the fashion industry that isn't necessarily in the garments but used to transport them. These bags are either reused by me (as bin liners) in the shop and at home, while larger garment bags are given to various companies and individuals who can use them, from gardeners, to house painters, clay sculptors... (Other soft plastics will resume recycling when the plant reopens.) Your online order will be wrapped in biodegradable tissue, repurposed plastic, and compostable shipping bags.

  • Garments that have hardware such as slips, clips or straps, I choose metal over plastic because it's stronger, lasts longer, and is biodegradable
  • Costume 'junk' jewellery is not available here, all jewellery is made from naturally occurring, biodegradable materials
  • Cake soap is always used in the shop, never pump soap, as pump soap packaging is superfluous
  • Plastic film is never used when printing promotional postcards, tickets, or swing tags
  • Customer bags are made from recycled paper, and stickers from biodegradable paper
  • Compostable postage bags are used, and I'm curious about ways we can minimise air pollution, short of simply refusing to ship to various locations 
  • Drinks for customers are always served in glass - Italian table wine glasses from the 60s that belonged to my grandmother, who handed them down to my mother, who handed them down to me
  • Plastic cutlery, takeaway containers, and single-use coffee cups are rarely, almost never used

Finally, my mission for the shop is to provide women with garments that they really love, will wear often and get good use out of, and perhaps even hand them down like the good old days. I'm proud to say that after five years in business I have received less than 10 return requests - this includes online customers too! I will not encourage a purchase if the garment doesn't work for you. I want you to walk away happy and confident in your decision. 

In the name of Minimalism, some magazine articles encourage women to throw away all their clothes and build a capsule wardrobe, which is great if you're living out of suitcase. A women should never feel guilty about owning beautiful garments that make her feel good, comfortable, confident, and most importantly, that give her her unique sense of identity. Identity is paramount, and when times get tough in life, loss, sickness, sadness, we need that. Sometimes we make poor clothing choices and shouldn't be vilified for that either. But in today's world, we should all consider the concept of Quality.