I like clothing that serves me well for the long run. I don’t like purchases that are essentially a fling.

In 2018 I bought a pair of rain booties and a backpack from two different retailers. Both items are made from man-made materials. My motivation to purchase these items really had nothing to do with whether or not they were leather, or a natural fibre, or plastic. I loved the colours; the booties were shiny and waterproof and the backpack would fit my laptop.

I have worn both of these purchases to death. Which brings me to my point. The booties have cracked and are not reparable. The coating of the backpack is peeling and looks terrible. As much as I have loved these items, I hate the fact that they are now essentially creative landfill. 

So disappointing.

I purchased some bamboo t-shirts a couple of years ago. Bamboo is supposedly a more ecologically favourable choice than cotton. Sounds eco-friendly right? Not so. The bamboo was combined with lycra to make the t-shirts stretchy and more comfortable. And they are. I have loved those t-shirts, but… there is good news and bad news. The bamboo has held up, the colour has held, but the lycra has broken down. My t-shirts are now shaped like deflated balloons. (Feel free to insert joke here.)

In 1999 I paid $200 for a silk knit camisole-style top. At the time I thought such a purchase was proof I must be making too much money. Without exaggeration, I still wear that top. That’s the kind of long-term relationship I’m looking for; a ride or die closet staple that has my back time after time. Should that top, heaven forbid, ever end up in a landfill, it is silk. Not plastic.

So satisfying.

There are no easy answers. Leather products wear out too and where do they go if not to the landfill? The arguments against leather are long and loud. But… but… neoprene, polyethylene, and most leather look-alike materials are essentially plastic and will languish in landfills for centuries.

There is a laundry pile of articles and information available to sort through. It takes a bit of time and research to suss out suitable alternatives to fit one’s budget and eco-sensibilities. For myself, I’m returning to leather for footwear. For items like handbags, backpacks and jackets, faux leather made from natural materials like cork or cactus apparently provide a sustainable alternative. Merino wool t-shirts and sportswear are sustainably farmed and durable too. As far as the production processes goes, they all have their upsides and downsides. 

If I’m going to invest the time and money I want a long-term relationship. I am choosing my next backpack very carefully. I want to reach for it a decade or more from now and smile at how well it has held up.

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime. Facebook or email.