Sharing is caring: the history of ‘sharing’ new interpreted

This chapter will be conceptual in nature by drawing on secondary data (e.g. journals, websites) to provide an insight into sharing of garments and accessories. Thus, this conceptual chapter provides a historical overview of ‘sharing’ from the 1920s to the modern era—which currently lacks research. This chapter is based on a critical literature review and focuses on a European context.

This topic is of significance, as focusing on how clothing is shared provides key insights into society, as well as provides opportunities to reflect on well-being and climate change. The latter two aspects are currently heavily debated and discussed, as the fashion industry in more general terms has been named the fourth most polluting sector within Europe (EEA, Textiles in Europe’s circular economy. EEA, 2019). With globalisation and more specifically the development of Web 2.0, garment and accessory sharing has become increasingly commonplace, which also led to the phenomenon of access-based consumption. Yet, it remains a niche not only in terms of uptake, but also in terms of being researched.

The historical account (in the form of a critical literature review) will further be supported by European based case studies that outline the differences of sharing, as well as its significant role throughout the century.