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Summary

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they had to be sustainably sourced. I was trying to determine what is a reasonable amount of clothing/furnishings.

In this post you will find information on the following

  • Synopsis – how much of each type of fibre I have used – for both clothing and furnishing
  • A break down by year – 2015 to 2019
  • What I started with
  • Know your fibres
  • Other terms used
  • The fair share project

Synopsis

Fair Share fabric weights updates

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres.

How Much

However there can be little doubt that we in the UK are consuming fibres in a hugely unsustainable way.
Heres how many textile fibres are produced annually: Total fibres, both natural & synthetic, around 8.5 million tonnes Rough calculations suggest that the average amount of fibres per annum, per person in the world, works out at 11.74 kg.

Global share 11.74 kg per person
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
The rest is synthetics.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

2015 

Natural fibres 3103 used of 3800 allowance – under by 697g Synthetic 3.2 kg

2016 

  • Natural fibres  4240 used of 3800  – over by 440g  (The running total for both years sees me under by 257g)
  • Synthetic 318g  (running total 3518)
  • Regenerated 45  (running total 45)

2017  

  • Natural fibres 3920 used of 3800 allowance – over by 120g (The running total for all years sees me under by 137g)
  • Synthetic 609  (running total 4127)
  • Regenerated 224  (running total  269)

2018 

  • Natural fibres 2915 used of 3800 allowance – under by 885g
  • (The running total for all years sees me under by 1022g)
  • Synthetic 0  (running total 4127)
  • Regenerated 0 (running total 269 )

2019

Natural fibres 5096.5 used of 3800 allowance – over by 1296 (The running total for all years sees me over by -274g)

Synthetics 1125 (running total 5252)

So up until 2020 and the van insulation even with buying bedding I can keep to the 3.8 kg target. However…….

By Year Breakdown

2019

This year I bought a wooden duvet and bedding  that I didn’t really need. Both were to trial. The review will be forthcoming. But this did of course up my total for this year.

Natural

Homemade

  • Grey dress homemade 366 

Bought

  • Mostly Natural but bought always includes some synthetic fibres – see proviso
  • 2 Cotton Bras from matalan 124
  • Knickers 3pairs 80
  • socks silk 31
  • Linen pants spain 364
  • Coduroy pinafore 403
  • Cardigan merino 183
  • White tee shirt Spain 121
  • Grey linen shirt gifted 187
  • Duvet cover bought 2 for the van divide by two 991
  • Orange cushion cover bought 2 for the van (divide by 2) 129
  • Pillow cases 2 light grey (divide by two) 126
  • Orange cushion cover bought 2 for the van (divide by 2) 129
  • Pillow cases 2 dark grey (divide by two) 126
  • Woolen duvet light 2500 (divide by two) 1250

Synthetics 

Rucksack

Large 44-litre capacity makes it possible to fly without checking in baggage to the hold. Lightweight yet durable design 0.7kg (1.5lbs).

Puffa jacket 200g (approx?) synthetic fabric and ?? feathers

I do wonder if you can make your own. Heres a link to someone who has DIY Puffer Jacket

Raincoat in a bag

we wanted waterproofs that were small and easily carried in our hand luggage rucksacks. bought these cheap as chips synthetics. Fabric: Breathable and waterproof nonwoven polypropylene. Weight: 220g

2018

Home made

  • liberty sleeveless made from yellow fabric I bought in India 175
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136 
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136
  • Cardigan knitted from Shetland wool 315

Bought

  • pyjamas Bottoms 212
  • pyjamas top 203
  • Jeans from M&S 619 Contain elasticine
  • Bali dress. A very light weight cotton grey dress 230
  • merino jumper. Great to wear but has gone way too bobbly 220
  • long sleeve top contains elastine – present 158
  • long sleeve top contains elastine – present 158
  • poll tax tee shirt 132
  • Indian kurta top. Bought this Mumbai India 215

2017

I needed warm as were were spending January in Spain. Contrary to popular opinion it can get very cold. Despite this the houses are not built for the cold and what with the tiled floors and wall and high ceilings can get pretty uncomfortable. can Warm lounge wear is the order of the day.

Then we went backpacking from India to Indonesia. Where yoga pants were the order of the day.

Clothes

Home made

  • Billy Bunter shorts 168
  • grey silk wool mix trousers 275 Palazzos
  • Liberty dress 218
  • Heavy silk sleevless  over tunic 245
  • Woolen 3/4 sleeve long tunic 293 MuMu Two

Clothes

Bought

  • Knickers 6 pairs 157
  • japanese socks 59
  • Brown shorts Malaysia 257
  • green skinny fit trousers  3% Elasticine 357
  • My cardigan is falling apart so I bought a new cotton cardigan from TK max Pure cotton it weighs in at 187 g
  • Girl gang tee shirt bought in Malaysia 159
  • Khaki tee shirt bought in Malaysia 155
  • PARIS tee shirt bought in Malaysia 165
  • Soul mate vest 148
  • Striped T shirt bought in Malaysia 134
  • My sarong weighs in at 212 g From Indonesia pure cotton very thin very beautiful. 212
  • cashmere pyjamas weigh in at 517 g
  • Towels from japan 214

regenerated

  • Yoga leggings Parkinson’s 224 Viscose 224

synthetic

  • crop top for yoga x 2 153
  • japanese socks 59
  • Grey rain coat
  • japanese hat 100
  • synthtic straw hat 100
  • Bikini top blue 97
  • Bikini top Decathalon 100
  • BikiniM&S 200
  • Leggings Bought in Ubud 222

2016

Returned home from backpacking the tropics. The days of 2 teeshirts, a mu-mu of modersty and backpackers bloomers were sadly over. I desperately needed some new clothes. The next three weeks saw me busy sewing. The design brief was a little more complex this year. Not only did the clothes have to be sustainable & plastic free, they had to be rather more dressy than I am used to. because at Easter we were fulfilling a long held dream – to be in Seville for the Santa Semana and the Feria. Then back to rather less showy Huddersfield for what I thought was going to be a hot summer. There were a couple of hot and steamy weeks I sewed sleeveless frocks and cool skirts. Then the weather turned obvs! so I had to quickly put together some rather warmer shirts. And buy some T shirts to wear under them.

Had hoped to be back on the road by winter but it was not to be so I had to make a thick skirt that I can wear with wooly tights and leggings.

  • 1 wool socks homemade 73g 73
  • socks from Debenhams 45
  • socks from Debenhams 45
  • Denim Long Shorts 316g 316
  • Linen Pants 414g 414
  • Corduroy Skirt 300g 300
  • stripy cotton skirt gifted 231g 231
  • The Bombazine Skirt 541g 541
  • Wrap Skirt 249g 249
  • Tabbard Frock 149g
  • Ebay Woolen jacket 180
  • Choir Boy grey smock top 132
  • Liberty Lawn Shirt red poppies 96g
  • Offset Tunic blue & white 157g
  • Vogue lawn top cross bodice 110g
  • Wrap shirt  108g
  • Wrap Shirt Lawn Chiffon 90
  • 3/4 sleeve T 156g each 156
  • 3/4 sleeve T 156g each 156
  • New spotty top from M&S 160g 160
  • Black vest gifted turned into seat cover for the van 144
  • grey vest 105g
  • White vest gifted 105g
  • Yorkshire Wool Waistcoat 178g

Regenerated Fibres

Bamboo is a regenerated fibre and falls somewhere between natural and synthetcic. Some biodegradae some do not. Bamboo is a form of regenerated fibre. Personally I dont like it but the socks were a gift. Read more here 

1 ankle socks bamboo skull & crossbones 45g

Synthetic Fibres

  • Huge circular skirt 243g
  • New Swim Top 75g
  • Total 318g

2015

3103 Total 3800 Allowance – Under 697 3.2 kg of synthetic fibres.

Got home and parked the van ( after living in it for a year) We left the U.K. in May and travelled from Kazakhstan to Indonesia. Mostly overland only flying when there was no alternative to places where the ferries no longer run – sigh.

My clothes had to see me through monsoon, snow and blazing tropical heat. I made most of my backpacking wardrobe before I left. Being on the road doesnt mean I can’t sew. I made my headscarf and backpackers bloomers while traveling.

Natural Fibres

  • 1 pair of knickers 28
  • Cashmere cardigan gifted 220
  • Blue teeshirt cotton gifted 226
  • Teeshirt from Thailand – cotton 123
  • Cotton Hat 2 20 
  • 1 scarf 7 
  • Flannel  7 
  • Sheet and pillowcase from srilanka 940 

Made

  • Synthetic Fibres
  • Ridiculous coat  and a new raincoat to replace it.Synthetic Fibres
  • leggings Synthetic Fibres
  • Crop top

2014 – what I started with

  • Bought
  • knickers
  • 2 pairs of trousers
  • 1 nightie
  • 1 Bra
  • Had
  • Tops, Cardigans & Jackets
  • 4 no Long Sleeve Tops – cotton
  • 1 grey – 2010
  • 1 striped – 2009
  • 1 blue – 2011
  • 1 red – 2014 year
  • Ranging from 5 to 3 years old except the red which was bought last year.
  • 6 no T Shirts & Vests – cotton (10)
  • 1 grey – had for ever.
  • Marks & Sparks 2014 156g each – no hangers
  • 1 black
  • 1 navy
  • 1 pale grey
  • 1 vest – years plus
  • 2 no Other (12)
  • wool tunic that I made from woolen fabric I have had for years. I have been wearing that for 18 months? Possibly longer.
  • Cotton shirt bought in India 2011
  • 2 no Warmer wear & Coats (14)
  • 1 synthetic jacket pre 2011
  • 1 nylon raincoat pre 2011
  • 4 no. Bottoms (18)
  • Shorts Summer 2014 Synthetic Fibres
  • Trackie bums cotton don’t know how old – over a year.
  • Thin long trews hot thin cotton bought Summer 2014
  • Thick long trews cold corduroy Autumn 2014 Marks & Spencers
  • 1 no Skirts & Dresses (19)
  • Linen dress made for Observer Awards 2014
  • Underwear & Sleep
  • Knickers (20)
  • I have counted knickers as one because for some reason I feel shy about telling you how many pairs of pants I own!?
  • Philippino pirate pants
  • M&S sometime last year
  • France 2014 a pack of knickers
  • 2 no Bras (21)
  • 1 reasonable bought spring 2014 synthetic fibres
  • 1 utterly awful that I only wear when the reasonable one is in the wash. At least 2 years old
  • 4 no Socks (25)
  • 2 thin pairs of socks – new before we left – gift.
  • 2 thick pairs of sock – made by my mum.
  • 5 no Sleep & Swim (32)
  • 1 nightgowns warm
  • 1 nightgown cool 2014 M&S
  • 1 Merino long johns 3 years at least
  • 2 bikinis years old– all synthetic
  • Towelling dressing gown
  • thin cotton dressing gown
  • 7 no Outerwear Hats & Shawls (39)
  • 1 wool hat 2013
  • 1 straw hat 2014
  • 1 wool scarf gift 2013
  • 3 pairs of gloves
  • 1 no shawl
  • 2 no Work in progress (41)
  • Spotty dress work in progress bought from charity shop
  • Sleeveless long vest / sleeveless tunic most cotton bought in Malaysia 2011
  • 4 no In storage (The cupboard we don’t talk about) (46)
  • Coats
  • 1 smart – wool years old
  • 1 very warm sheepskin second hand ages ago
  • 2 waterproof  walking coat- synthetic years old
  • 1 raincoat – synthetic cant even remember when
  • Other fabrics
  • back packers flannel

Clothes that have died

I had to buy a new raincoat to replace the stupid, non-weatherproof rubbish I got from T.K.Max.

1 blue patterned Teeshirt. Bought 2013 Singapore lost by the laundry in 2015 Thailand

Cotton Cargo Pants bought Summer 2014 Mountain Warehouse- dreadful purchase fell apart in less than a year.

Corduroy Trouser bought autumn 2014 Marks & Spencers worn almost continually in the autumn and winter of 2015. Died in the Spring of 2015 in China. Not exactly long lasting but one shouldn’t expect too much from corduroy and they did get worn a lot!

Fabric Types

Dont know regenerated yarn from a synthetic fibre? no worries. Theres lots of information on fibres yarns and fabric HERE

Terms
By gifted I mean something that people have passed on to me because they no longer want it. Second hand but not purchased.
When I say cotton/ natural fibres that doesn’t include buttons and other such stuff which will almost certainly be synthetic. As might be the thread used to sew the fabric.
Unless you are talking about my own homemade clothes where I can tell you exactly what plastic has been used.

Sewing
I can’t afford to buy eco clothing but I can afford to make it. I have been stiching like a demon and this year most of my new clothes have been handmade. Sadly my sewing skills are not so great. There are some rather strange outfits in there. You can read my plastic free sewing tips here…

About Fair Share

Whats a global share?

Rough calculations would suggest that the average amount of fibres per annum, for every person in the world, works out at 11.74 kg per person This is for everything – clothes, bedding, fabrics used in manufacturing, furnishings, businesses. All our fabric needs.
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

Why not use 11 .74 kg of natural fibres? I would argue that it is not sustainable for us all to have 11.74 kg of natural fibres a year. This is one of the promoted benefits of plastic, that it takes the pressure off natural resources. Synthetic fabrics mean less land grab to grow cotton. But synthetic fabrics like any other plastic are massively polluting.

So if we cannot produce more, we have to consume less.  This is how the equation works for me:
We cannot exceed current levels of production:
We cannot expect others to want less than we have:
We cannot swamp the market with synthetics:
Therefore I have to live with my global share of natural fibres.Which is still probably to generous to be fully sustainable.

You can read more on the subject and check my figures and sources here.

Whats Sustainable Clothing?
Plastic-free, fair-trade, ethically made and lots more.You can read my clothing manifesto here
You can read more on the subject and check my figures and sources here.

Second Hand Clothes
Can I buy or accept second hand clothes to supplement my allowance? No. I can buy second-hand but it has to count as part of my allowance.
Unless they are from someone else participating in the scheme like Ami.

Read more here

Related Posts

More About Fabric

  • Lots of outrageous textile statistics HERE
  • This is an introduction to fibres, fabrics and why you might want to, and how to sew plastic free index
  • See all textile & wardrobe related posts HERE.

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