After watching an eye-opening 11-minute video this morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about the urgent need for change in how the clothing world approaches sustainability. It also made me realize that I’m a part of this story, and the choices I make with my own brand matter. So here we go...
Every time we choose quality over fast fashion, we make a quiet but powerful impact on our planet. At Fabulegs, we’ve always believed leggings should do more than just look good and feel amazing, they should last. If you have been around since 2016, you know I will stop production, delay advanced orders and sell upside down patterns for pennies. Nothing goes to waste here at Fabulegs Melissa
Durability isn’t just about saving money; it’s about saving resources, reducing waste, and keeping millions of pounds of clothing out of overflowing landfills.
The Fashion Waste Crisis and Why It Matters
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Americans throw away over 11 million tons of textiles every year, that’s enough to fill more than 20 Empire State Buildings annually (EPA, 2018).
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The average person discards 81 pounds of clothing each year, much of it barely worn (Earth.org, 2024).
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Globally, the fashion industry produces 92 million tons of textile waste annually, and that number could hit 134 million tons by 2030 if nothing changes (Earth.org, 2024).
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Only 14–15% of textiles in the U.S. are recycled; about 66% end up in landfills where they can take decades, sometimes centuries to break down (EPA, 2018; GAO, 2022).
- Much of this waste comes from fast fashion, inexpensive pieces designed to be trendy for a season and worn only a handful of times before being tossed (Earth.org, 2024).
Fabulegs Melissa: Made to Last, Made to Reduce Waste
We work hard at Fabulegs Melissa to fight against the throwaway fashion cycle. Our leggings are:
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Long-Lasting: Customers regularly tell us they’re still wearing Fabulegs bought years ago, with no thinning, tearing, or fading.
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Thoughtfully Constructed: High-quality stitching and premium fabrics mean fewer replacements and less waste.
- Designed for Real Life: Whether you’re teaching, chasing kids, working out, or relaxing, our leggings are crafted to keep up with your needs.
The longer you wear a piece of clothing, the lower its environmental footprint becomes — because you’re not buying, shipping, and discarding new items (Wrap, 2017).
Why Durability is a Sustainability Superpower
Fast fashion encourages short-term use: studies show some garments are worn as few as 7–10 times before being discarded (Earth.org, 2024). When you choose well-made clothing that lasts years, you help to:
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Lower landfill waste, every pair you keep wearing is one less garment thrown away.
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Save water & energy, producing a single pair of leggings can use up to 1,500+ gallons of water and significant energy for production and shipping (World Bank & UNEP).
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Reduce microplastic pollution, durable, high-quality fabrics shed less and last longer (UNEP, 2023).
Community Proof: Your Oldest Fabulegs
One of our favorite things to see is your throwback photos. Many of you share Fabulegs that have lasted 9+ years, still looking and feeling amazing. Every time you keep a pair in your closet and out of a landfill, you’re making a difference.
✨ Did you know? If everyone kept their clothes in use for just nine extra months, we could reduce clothing’s carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20–30% (Wrap, 2017).
Our Promise: Fashion That Feels Good and Does Good
When you choose Fabulegs, you’re not just buying another pair of leggings. You’re investing in timeless pieces that help fight fast fashion’s waste problem and make your closet more sustainable.
Together, we can build a community that loves style, comfort, and the planet.
Keep wearing, keep sharing, keep saving space in landfills, one legging at a time.
Let’s keep clothing out of landfills and prove that fashion can be fun, functional, and sustainable. Want to help, check out our ReFAB’d Program.
Stay Fabulous,
Melissa
Founder of Fabulegs
🖤🤍🩷
Next on The Blog: Confessions of a Leggings Addict...Leggings Care 101. 👖