The Election is Over, What Happens to the Merch?

Erwiah echoes this: “People like clothes and they like fashion… It only makes sense to use this medium to encourage participation. I think it’s much more relevant than making items that do not serve a purpose. The clothes will be worn and if they are well done they will be worn often and the user will be excited to wear it as it will reflect their values.”

Still, some people might find their affection for election tees waning as winter comes on. Barenblat, of Remake, offers some solutions. “One option is to keep the piece and rock it every four years,” she says, noting that the following solutions apply to all garments: “Or if you’re like me, you can sport it to bed or while hanging out at home. If you’re crafty or creative, I’d suggest hopping onto Pinterest, TikTok, or Youtube for a world of DIY how-tos. Perhaps you could sew fun patches on it, paint it, tie-dye it, the options are really endless.” 

“Other options,” Barenblat says, “are to consider reselling the piece to another conscious consumer through websites like Depop or Poshmark or to pass it on to a friend or family member. Consider a clothing swap—virtual ones exist!” She notes that if you plan to donate, be aware that many donations can also end up in landfills. “Finally, you can always turn that political piece into a dish rag, knotted rug, or quilt as there are quite a handful of domestic items that can be made from clothing.”

The most important message in this post-election moment? “Every clothing item has a lifespan. Try to reduce purchases to those you know will live; re-wear your clothing with creativity and care and repurpose clothing to extend its use,” says Barenblat.

Najafi and Toossi, whose Biden merch has longterm appeal, cop to the fact that their products are not the most eco-friendly in the world. “I definitely don’t want to greenwash what we’re doing here!” Najafi wrote over email. “So I’ll just say this: The most sustainable aspect of these sweatshirts is that they helped elect a president who will take action on climate change.”

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