is climate change ruining my style?
on feeling like my style options are limited due to our burning planet and the irony of fast fashion's role in this
Planning to meet my best friend for coffee and a walk in the park afterward, I slipped on the old reliable–bike shorts, sports bra, cropped tank top, Nikes. I slicked my day 5 hair back into a clip, finishing off with some tinted eyebrow gel, lip balm, and a dash of perfume. Before leaving, I grabbed my fanny pack, something I swore I’d never own but turns out it’s great for when you’re going to be walking for a while. I used to hate this athleisure style, thinking it was the mark of girls with no taste or personality, who only shop whatever’s trending on TikTok under hashtags like “that girl” and “clean girl.” I didn’t want to be lumped in with the people who took that stuff seriously.
I still don’t, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it is a cute and functional style for the days I’m going out but not really doing anything. During my walk later that day, I basked in the sunshine and bounced along to my music, thankful that I made the right choice of clothing that allowed me to move comfortably. The park was full of people. Leave it to Ohioans to freak out the second we get a bit of warm weather. Then it dawned on me. It’s 75 degrees Fahrenheit in Ohio in March. My mind started racing in anticipation for summer, when it will be so hot that all I’ll feel like wearing is the same tank top and bike shorts combo, desperately wishing for autumn so I can at least wear jeans, knowing that day won’t come until late September.
Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons because a) the weather is tolerable and b) my best outfits are usually made during these times. My favorite pieces of clothing are made for these transitional seasons, from funky knee high boots to vintage leather jackets to high-waisted jeans and cozy cardigans. Layering is my friend–sheer tights just add a touch of something extra to a mini skirt, and turtlenecks can go underneath just about anything. I love the feeling of a light breeze making the hem of my long skirt dance. Most of all, I love that these clothes feel like a second skin, with no thought given to sweaty crevices and suffocating fabrics. But with each year that passes, the summer season seems to arrive earlier and last longer, making these pieces less practical. The other day I did a closet clean-out and noticed how many things I haven’t yet had the chance to wear, or have only worn once. This is due to several factors, such as not going out, lost confidence, and weight gain.
But another factor is the weather. No matter how many outfit combos I create, the weather is the true decider. Last autumn, I took a trip to Salem, MA and excitedly packed sweaters, jeans, turtlenecks, and my leather trench coat, dreaming up the perfect Pinterest-worthy autumn outfits. Only to be met with 70+ degree weather. Now, I did look at the weather app before I left, so I came prepared with dresses and t-shirts as backups. But in autumn on the East Coast? I shouldn’t have had to. Slowly but surely, climate change is affecting what we wear, reducing the need for heavier fabrics and forcing brands to rethink their seasonal cycles, effectively reducing our options. It already feels like I live in bike shorts and tank tops for a third of the year. I have one pair of denim shorts, a handful of summer shirts that aren’t just for running errands, and a few skirts and dresses that wouldn’t suffocate me in the heat and humidity. Owning an average amount of clothes isn’t the issue. I am a proud outfit repeater! It’s that I keep having to repeat the same cute-but-not-cute-enough combos not because I love them, but because the weather has made functioning so uncomfortable that I throw on the bare necessities and throw my hands up, tempted to go out and buy a new summer dress just to spark joy in my closet again.
Of course, the irony here is that fast fashion is what’s causing this problem. According to Earth.org, as of 2025, fast fashion is the second-biggest consumer of water and responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. That’s the same amount that the entire European Union generates. Another article from the site states that in America alone, over 11 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills, most of which are in low-income countries, wreaking havoc on economies and communities. This is partially because the average piece of clothing is worn only 7-10 times before being tossed. It’s not just the clothing waste that’s destabilizing our climate, it’s the clothes themselves. Fast fashion primarily uses textiles such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, and rayon. These textiles are cheap to produce because they’re made from plastic, polluting the earth with their very creation and discard as the microplastics they generate seep into water, soil, and our skin. Even more ironic is that these plastic clothes are not breathable, so they make you feel hotter and sweat more! The clothes we wear are causing and exacerbating the problem.
I don’t want to sound tone deaf or self-centered. Obviously the bigger problem here is textile waste and climate change itself, not me running out of options in my closet. But I also think it’s valid to be angry that I can’t wear my favorite clothes like I used to because a handful of billionaires want to destroy the planet to get more billions. For many people, clothing is purely functional. The influencers of the world make it their job to convince you that you need to buy the latest fashions and wear them once for an event or Instagram post. I used to fall into that trap, buying things because I imagine the cute photo they’d make and not their practical uses. But I think it’s valid to not want to swing too far in the other direction, either. Style helps us shape our identities and plays a part in our self-worth. Getting dressed every day is more fun when you’re interested in what you’re wearing. Aside from wearing what we already own and thrifting (although be on the lookout-the thrift stores are full of fast fashion now) in order to slow fashion back down, there are some things we can do to help ourselves out.
look for breathable fabrics like 100% cotton and linen
don’t underestimate the power of accessories
look at how older people dress; they were born before all of this mess started and got good at wearing what they own, balancing practicality and comfort with style
Gigi MW on YouTube: “how to ACTUALLY dress cute in the summer heat and STILL be comfortable”
Thanks so much for reading! Have you ever thought climate change is affecting your style, or will in the future? What’s your favorite season to dress in?
If you’d like to see what I get up to when I’m not writing (and judge my outfits), you can follow me on Instagram at mjewrites.