UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Clothes mean many things to many people, but do you know how your wardrobe impacts the environment and workers?

Join Penn State University Libraries and the Informed Consumer Committee from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Pattee Library’s Dewey Room at the University Park campus for the Check Your ‘fit: Slow Fashion Resource Fair to explore the world of slow sustainable fashion. 

Fast fashion is everywhere, making buying clothing easy and affordable. But there are many aspects to the fast fashion industry that we should examine as consumers to ensure the purchases we make align with our personal values. At the fair, students will learn about the environmental, human and financial impacts of fast fashion and explore slow sustainable alternatives that may better align with their beliefs as informed consumers.

At the in-person event, where students are encouraged to wear their best thrifted outfits, visitors can browse stations that examine the impact of the fast fashion industry and present ideas for alternatives to fast fashion clothes. They also can try mending clothes with sewing machines and explore books from the University Libraries' collection on fashion topics. While supplies last, students also will receive a sewing kit to mend clothes at home. A giveaway for a book on fast fashion will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For interested participants who cannot attend in person, a virtual Check Your ‘fit: Exploring Slow Fashion event will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, via Zoom, using the password: 489649. Anyone in the Penn State community is welcome to join this free virtual event here.

The virtual, interactive event will feature a presentation with an overview of the impacts of fast fashion on workers, the environment, and our wallets, as well as opportunities to reduce these negative outcomes through slow fashion.

Both events are sponsored by the University Libraries Informed Consumer Committee, a group of Libraries employees dedicated to helping Penn State students make empowered decisions about their finances, health and other areas of life through access to education and information.

For more information about the Check Your ‘fit: Slow Fashion Resource Fair or virtual presentation, including questions about accessibility options for either event, contact Lauren Reiter, business liaison librarian, at lmr29@psu.edu.