Chinese young generation’s perceptions and consumption of clothing for sustainability

This research explored the concept of sustainability related to the clothing practices of design students attending a university in Shanghai. Participants included 29 males and 36 female students who completed a survey about their wearing of specific clothing categories, their perceptions of the importance of the need for sustainability in the clothing they wear and sustainable practices regarding their clothing. Data were analysed, compared between the genders, and summarized. Within this context, students reported wearing their clothing a relatively short time while at the same time considering awareness of clothing sustainability important. Also, the students’ sustainable practices and strategies were found to be more geared towards care and use but neglecting purchase decisions and disposable methods. We postulated that Shanghai economy is influential as are the student’s expectations for gaining status through their clothing. These students’ views of sustainability and their clothing practices are important as they will become designers in the future and will play a leading role in the fields of applied arts.