'The 92 million tonne secret behind this innocent Oaks Day outfit'

In the age of online shopping, same-day delivery and fast fashion hauls it's easy for social media to trick young women into believing they need a new outfit for every event they're ever invited to.

I used to believe the same thing and would have happily used attending Oaks Day today as an excuse to buy a new dress, shoes and headpiece even though I already own perfectly good ones.

Maybe I still would have gone shopping for something new and trendy if it wasn't for the number 92.

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It sounds bizarre at first, but that's how many millions of tonnes of textile waste the fashion industry produces every year as fast fashion and overconsumption continue to rise.

Australia alone contributes about 300,000 tonnes of fashion waste annually and frankly I didn't want to contribute any more than I already do.

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So when the sun rose over Melbourne on Oaks Day, I slipped on a dress I've owned for years, the exact same headband I wore to the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year, and my old faithful heels.

None of what I wore was new or particularly on-trend but is being trendy really worth adding to Australia's already staggering output of textile waste?

Thankfully, I wasn't alone in my sustainable approach on Oaks Day.

Olympian Bronte Campbell was delighted to speak about the sustainable first-of-its-kind jacket she wore to the races, which came from Earthletica, a brand she co-founded.

"My approach to sustainability is that just by being on the planet, we're taking from the planet but how do we reduce that impact or make it as positive as possible?" she told 9honey.

"There is so much waste and quick consumerism today because it's so easy, this idea that we can consume and dispose of things really quickly. But that's not really how I want to operate."

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Celebrity stylist Donny Galella is also a huge sustainable fashion advocate, telling 9honey on Melbourne Cup Day that he encourages everyone he styles to embrace sustainable options.

Hearing these stars and style icons promote a more sustainable, circular approach to fashion only made me more certain of my decision to rewear clothes I already owned on Oaks Day.

The best part was that I actually received more compliments on my outfit today from the likes of supermodel Gemma Ward, and models Michelle Payne and Annalise Dalins, than any other day I've covered the races for 9honey.

If that's not proof sustainable fashion is the right way to go, I don't know what is.

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