[paul cotter (OP)]

I don't think that many would disagree with me that excessive consumerism is something that needs to be tackled to for us to have a more sustainable future. One particular difficulty I see is the gender disparity: I will wear an item of clothing until it is threadbare or no longer performs it's function while the "boss"( Alancalverd vernacular ) is constantly acquiring new apparel, many such items only getting a handful of uses. How can this need for repeated wardrobe updates, driven by the fashion industry, be tackled?

[Petrochemicals]

Shoot the designers!

[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey]

Excessive socialism.

[alancalverd]

We are an odd species. Males of almost every other species have evolved to display excessive fur, feathers or whatever, to attract a mate, and the females tend to be smooth, brown and camouflaged. But the western male human  takes pride in being almost indistinguishable from others, whether it's a business suit, dinner jacket, or sports uniform, and even tends to cut his hair to a fairly uniform length, whilst the female indulges in competitive hatwearing  and cleavage display, and complains if you take notice. Or if you don't.

It is observable that the prettiest women wear very plain clothes and very little jewellery, but why anyone needs a hundred pairs of uncomfortable and dangerous shoes is beyond comprehension. My wife was taller than average and had great problems finding walking shoes that fitted. One day when I was replacing my worn-out black office shoes I persuaded her to try on a pair of men's desert boots. She broke out in a huge grin of pleasure and said  "these are perfect  - the most comfortable  shoes I've ever put on. But I couldn't possibly wear them."

[paul cotter (OP)]

What more can I say!, the problem is insoluble.