Clothing Consumption in Australia: Is It Time We Checked Our Conscience?
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Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect.
Did you know that Australians are among the highest consumers of textiles per capita in the world?
On average, we buy 56 new clothing items per person per year. (Source: ABC / Australian Fashion Council, 2022)
That’s a lot of clothes.
And while we might love a fresh outfit, it’s worth asking — do we really need that much? And more importantly... do we have a conscience about how much we’re consuming?
The true cost of our clothing habits
Every piece of clothing we buy uses resources — water, energy, land, and labour.
When those clothes are worn only a few times, or end up in landfill, it puts even more pressure on our environment.
👉 Most of us don’t set out to waste or harm. But fast fashion and the ease of “adding to cart” can make it hard to resist the next cheap T-shirt or leggings.
So, what can we do differently?
🌱 Remodelling our wardrobes: small steps, big impact
What if we chose to re-love what we already have?
✔ Restyle or layer your pieces in new ways — give your favourites a fresh look.
✔ Alter or repair items — a small fix can bring new life to an old friend in your wardrobe.
✔ Invest in quality over quantity — pieces that last longer reduce overall waste.
What is the circular economy in fashion?
You might have heard the term “circular economy” — but what does it really mean?
In simple terms:
➡️ A circular fashion economy is where clothing is designed, made, and used in a way that minimises waste and maximises reuse, recycling, and longevity.
Rather than buy > wear > throw away, we shift towards:
✨ Buy thoughtfully
✨ Use for as long as possible
✨ Repair, adapt, pass on, or recycle responsibly
And when we do buy new? We can choose brands that are part of the solution.
Our contribution: conscious clothing that feels good
At Empowered Clothing, we’re passionate about creating pieces that align with this circular vision:
🌿 Frequency bamboo Ts — soft, breathable, and made to last.
🌿 Chakra racerback singlets and relaxed raglan long sleeves — empowering designs that stay in your wardrobe season after season.
🌿 Leggings made from 100% recycled plastic bottles — giving waste a second life while helping you look and feel amazing.
These aren’t just clothes — they’re a choice to support a more sustainable future.
It’s not about guilt — it’s about conscious choice
We’re not here to judge. We’ve all had those moments of impulse buying. But together, we can choose differently.
💡 Can I rework something I already own?
💡 Will this piece last?
💡 Am I supporting a circular fashion future?
Wear your values with Empowered Clothing
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