Are sequins and glitter going the same way as fur? - YouLookFab Forum

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Are sequins and glitter going the same way as fur?

Runcarla

Veteran

Over the past year I’ve become aware that sequins and glitter have been identified as an environmental problem. https://scienceline.org/2020/0.....f-glitter/ Searching for more information, I found articles dated as far back as 2019 addressing the issue, and there are probably even older ones.

Last year Boden announced they would not be using sequins going forward, and that is in evidence in their line this year. https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/.....61702.html Some designers are recycling or using vintage sequins and the search is on for sparkle from alternative (environmentally friendly) sources.

I wonder if celebrities will eschew beaded and sequinned outfits at future galas, and what stand design houses might take? Will there be a trickle down to prom fashion? Wedding gowns? Theatre costumes? What figure skaters wear at the olympics?

Do you think sequins are as polarizing as real fur and leather use in fashion? Will sparkle become politically incorrect?

General

38 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don’t purchase sequins or glitter anymore for this reason. I don’t know if we’ll get to the point where society will become judgmental of them, though. Plastics are so integrated into our lives that we’d have to be judging an awful lot. I think it’s more likely that fashion will make the shift to more a more sustainable alternative. This is already happening with microplastic beads in cosmetics.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting! Thanks, Carla. Another reason to love Boden. One of my favourite brands for good reason

My 2 cents:

I think few things are as emotional and polarized in the fashion and style world as real fur. I expect real leather - and the eye-opening process of leather tanning - to be next. Sequins, sparkle, and the like - it's anyone's guess how that will or will not gone down well with the world. I echo what wise Jenn said.

LJP

Veteran

I’m aware of the issue and wouldn’t buy anything with sequins at this point unless it was a previously used garment . I would hazard a bet that the “professional “‘use of sequins and glitter will still be there for some time yet .

Vildy

Veteran

"

The origins of the sequin may not be cruelty-free, but when you look back in time the original sequin was a compostable version of its modern plastic counterpart. As early as the 1500s, beetle wings – or elytra – were used as a status symbol to embellish textiles in India. Relatively strong and with a natural iridescence, the wings were cut and shaped before being sewn to the borders of white cotton muslin gowns.

This was the inspiration for the designer Elissa Brunato who has developed the world’s first plant-based Bio Iridescent Sequin. Using a compostable cellulose derived from trees, the sequin’s structure naturally refracts light without the need for chemicals. Also keen to create an enviable shimmer that doesn’t harm the planet, last year the American designer Phillip Lim teamed up with Charlotte McCurdy, an industrial designer, to create an incredible gown made from bioplastic algae fronds."

from the Telegraph

Can sequins ever be planet friendly?

By sustainable fashion writer Hannah Rochell

OTOH, the article just above it indicates that the sale of sequined garments is through the roof

"

M&S alone has sold 10,000 sequin tops since September (5,700 of which were in the last three days) while demand for their sequin midi-skirt is up 325 percent year on year. They’ve also nearly sold out of their look-at-me silver sequinned three piece suit – and we’re not even halfway through November yet.

,,,"

Lola Rykiel is the granddaughter of famous fashion designer Sonia Rykiel and she has opened a boutique called PomPom on Paris’ Left Bank that is filled with sequin tops and dresses."

from Telegraph

Why sequins are all we want for Christmas by Melissa Twigg

nemosmom

Veteran

I don’t think sequins will become AS polarizing as real fur, but who knows? If plastics truly are as concerning, you’d think manufacturers would be just as concerned with microplastics shedding from laundered polyester and other fibers.

I do love that there is more environmental awareness around fur, sequins, and things like responsibly-sourced wool and down, but geez, we have a long way to go!

kkards

Veteran

I think of this as more like “we hate fashion fashion” and yet the fastest growing fashion site is Shein. Who is now opening pop up shops here in the US.

https://retailwire.com/discuss.....el-market/

Sal

Veteran

Yes agree kkards!!

I hope so - we have a wee way to go….

Helena

Veteran

Agreeing with this thread although I wasn't really aware if this issue so thank you for raising it Carla! I stopped buying sequins for the most part several years ago because if the work conditions of the kids sewing them on in fast fashion versions ... Of course this was dripping water on a forest fire but there you go
and with a child who dances competitively there is little chance of avoiding sparkle altogether. I hope Jenn is right that more sustainable options come to the fore.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t think I was aware of this. I feel pretty hopeless about the contribution fashion is making to destroying the planet already when I look at the sheer number of garments made. And I don’t think enough people are trying to buy less. There was an article in our main newspaper this week about a brand dumping sample shoes into a skip.
I will keep on with my own attempts to purchase judiciously- already have some sequinned items but from years ago.
I feel with what the world has been through since 2020 it is no surprise that people want a bit of sparkle in their lives so the sale of such garments is increasing.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Interesting.A UK Blogger l follow(midlife chic)who has a background in retail said last year indicated that uk retailers were phasing sequins out but whilst highlighting Boden for their stance all her comments pointed out just how prevalent sequins are on the British high street at the moment.In fact l can’t remember seeing quite so much sequinned stuff before .Apparently it sells well so retailers ,who are abit desperate at the moment due to the economic situation,will do what it takes to shift stuff regardless of other considerations.

I personally have two sequinned items that are years old and l shall continue to wear them and not pass judgement on others who do too but It’s definitely something to be aware of when buying new things.If they can’t sell it,they won’t stock it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for bringing this up. I’d never considered it. Vildly, thanks for those articles too. Beetles wings are an amazing idea. Then again, so is silk.
Helena, i appreciate you mentioning labor conditions. Altogether, you’ve given me reason not to buy sequins—although I can’t exactly claim a boycott of something I don’t think I’ve ever owned.

JAileen

Veteran

I didn’t know there were issues with sequins. Thanks for letting us know. I took a donated mink coat a few weeks ago to the charity shop where I’ve volunteered for years. Looking at it I was reminded of the mink I’ve seen along the river that runs through our town. Because of them, I could not wear a mink coat. Yet I wear leather shoes. Yes, I’m a hypocrite.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I didn’t know about sequins. They seem much more prevalent in stores this year-they seem to be having a moment. I almost had my 25+ year old dress altered for a fancy event this year but decided it would probably cost more than a new one.

Dee

Veteran

I too wasn’t paying much attention to such issues, but I’m really glad that these companies have decided to do this and I hope that many more will follow suit. I think as more people are made aware of the problems with sequins and glitter in our environment, there will be a backlash to using and wearing them, they just aren’t necessary.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Such a good question, Carla. I had been wondering about this myself as I knew they were environmentally unfriendly. I agree with Barbara Diane that sequins seem ubiquitous in some lines this year -- I suppose it is the hope of actual parties and dressing up after several years of none of it.

How fascinating, Vildy, to hear about the originals! And I do hope they can come up with environmentally friendlier options.

I have one sequinned camisole, bought some years ago. And I have tops with metallic thread, which I guess is different but may be made from a similar process to glitter, I don't know.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I hadn’t heard about sequins, either. Thanks for posting this. I had heard that the EU is pushing for clothing in general to be made of recyclable materials.

Anonymous

I'm trying to move away from plastic as much as possible, so definitely sequins included! TBH though I hate the way they feel :/

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hadn't heard this either, but it makes sense when put in the environmental context. I only have a couple of sequinned items, and I'm not going to toss them out because of this, but it's not something I seek out a lot anyway. It's nice to have a little sparkle at the holidays. I have a sequin blazer I bought three years ago before the pandemic and have never had a chance to wear it. Also a sequin bomber, also not worn yet. Both were purchased off-season and on deep discount. I'll happily wear them for a festive occasion, for now. When activists start throwing paint on sequin-wearers, like they started doing with fur, I'll definitely reconsider.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't think sequins have the emotional resonance of fur, and if anything they look more and more popular to me. I am not a huge sequins person by nature, but am not sure they are worse than other plastics in our clothing. I do suspect if they can make sustainable mushroom leather they can make less dangerous sequins and I hope a new generation of textile scientists are working on this.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the information on something new to me. This is something that wouldn’t impact my wardrobe much, but something that I will think about in the future.

Also, as to the leather goods issue, is it something a bit different from furs? After all, furs are most often taken from animals raised purposely for that. Leather for shoes and bags, I would think, comes from skins taken from meat animals, though there is the processing to consider. But what would be done with the skins if not made into leather goods? If animals raised for meat become obsolete, that might be different? I’m just curious and really haven’t researched this yet, so just pondering aspects of it aloud.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Indeed cjh I feel the same. In NZ one of our designer hand bag companies uses deer leather from venison farms for the handbags.
And interestingly re fur, the rabbit is a major major pest here and trapped to control numbers so a brand called Lapin has started using the fur. The woman was interviewed and said she would find something else to do when the rabbit was no longer a pest, but she didn’t see that being any time soon. The Australian possum is a terrible pest here too and the fur is used for clothing also, same situation. Neither of these is killed for their fur, it is to manage pest numbers.

rachylou

Veteran

Glitter I’d heard about and confess promptly forgot. Sequins I never considered, but it’s logical. I don’t do sequins because I always cut myself on them, and I don’t do glitter because it does always fall off and leave bald spots. I suspect labour costs are already doing sequins and beading in…

Gaylene

Veteran

For me, the problem with mass market sequined fashion is not so much the plastic content (after all most “vegan” leather is actually a non-biodegradable petroleum product), as is the probable conditions under which sequins are attached to fast fashion, mass-market garments. Attaching sequins is handwork and handwork is expensive if it’s done under regulated conditions. Mass market sequined garments raise a lot of questions in my mind, none of them festive…

Staysfit

Veteran

Good to know. The first of the three R’s and probably the most effective is Reduce.

Jules

Veteran

A lot of things became cheapened/unappealing to me when my kids were young. Things that used to be special/rare/precious are very commonplace in their lives now such that they don’t value them the way I did. Their young girlhood also coincided with these embellishments having a trendy moment so often things like sparkly shoes just looked juvenile to me. Having wayward sparkles all over my house (and on occasion even stuck to my face!) made me hate them even before the environmental warnings came out (and I could clearly make the connection to how they would also easily spread in nature).
I get the comparison to with fur and leather on a societal opinion level but I see a huge difference between eg. a traditional indigenous fur trade and mass market sequinned clothing.

Ginger

Veteran

A lot of sequin material is machine-attached. Of course it depends on the particular design but all of the modern sequin stuff that I've had (dance costumes) and sequined material I've seen in stores are clearly machine-applied. FWIW, be careful with true vintage sequins. The older ones are gelatin and will dissolve when washed, as some people have found to their sadness!

ophelia

Veteran

Angie, I hope you’re right, but I suspect that limiting or forgoing purchases due to those reasons is a sacrifice that is “a bridge too far” for most consumers to make. Then again, you’re an optimist, & I’m….not. : )

Gaylene

Veteran

Ditto to everything Jules said!

Cowhide leather is a by-product of the meat industry and, unless everyone on the planet becomes vegan, it will either be used or thrown in the garbage. As long as the tanning is done in an environmentally sensitive way, I can’t see why using a bio-degradable, waste product is less socially responsible than wearing an industrial petroleum product like most of “vegan” leather found in the shops these days.

As Jules says, scarcity does make us value things. Responsibly tanned cowhide leather isn’t inexpensive, but plastic imitations of it can be manufactured in huge volumes at a very low price point. Attaching embellishments to garments by hand is time consuming and costly, while applying yards of plastic sequins by machines is cheap. Leather will eventually decompose, but “vegan” plastic leather and those yards of sparkling plastic sequins are likely to have a much longer lifespan than its wearers. Maybe if “vegan” leather was rarer and sequined party wear was done by hand, I could be more convinced of its place in my closet.

I respect the feelings of those who prefer to practice a vegan lifestyle, but, as someone who is an omnivore, I’m not much for bandwagons on either side.

JAileen

Veteran

As I said, I wear leather. I don’t eat beef, though. I don’t want faux leather because of the plastic. And not just what happens to it later, but that it’s made out of oil and all that that entails. If fake leather is a better overall solution than real leather, I would like to know. Please.

I visited a tannery once, in Mexico. I don’t remember the circumstances. It was the most revolting thing I’ve ever seen or smelled. Also, I was reminded of The Jungle (by Upton Sinclair).

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