Why Jane Fonda's iconic red coat is the last item of clothing she will buy

Jane Fonda’s red coat is becoming something of a statement sartorially, politically and environmentally.

The 81-year-old was wearing the iconic red coat when she was arrested at an organised climate change protest.

And now the ‘Grace & Frankie’ actress is using the coat as a statement of intent to shun fast fashion.

As part of her commitment to saving the planet, Fonda has vowed to stop buying clothes, so the red coat she wears every Friday to the climate change protests is the last item of clothing she plans to purchase.

“It's the last thing I will buy,” Fonda told told NPR of the move.

“I bought this on sale because I needed something red. And I'm not going to buy anything more.”

She went on to say that she has become increasingly aware of consumerism and the damage it is doing to the planet, so she intends on doing her bit by no longer contributing to the fast fashion industry.

The mum-of-three cited Greta Thunberg as her inspiration for the vow, explaining that the 16-year-old climate change activist had made her “think a lot about consumerism.”

“I grew up when consumerism didn't have such a stranglehold over us so when I talk to people about how we don't really need to keep shopping - we shouldn't look to shopping for our identity; we just don't need more stuff then I have to walk the talk so I'm not buying any more clothes,” she said.

So far, Fonda has been arrested four times, and could well add a fifth arrest during her next protest.

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The colour of the coat itself also has some symbolism with Fonda revealing it was specifically chosen because of it’s connection to fire - the Friday protests she takes part in are known as Fire Drill Fridays after Thunberg said people should act like their house is on fire when addressing climate change.

So far, the actress has worn the red power coat, during two other protests in October.

Every week, Fonda and her fellow activists, including other famous faces like Ted Danson and Rosanna Arquette, hold a demonstration demanding action from politicians.

READ MORE: Primark tells customers not to buy its products online

Another celebrity who has recently spoken about fast fashion is Kim Kardashian, but her reason for discussing the trend are quite different.

Earlier this year, the 38-year-old entrepreneur and reality television star called out fast fashion retailers for copying her designer looks, claiming she could “no longer sit silent”.

In a seven-tweet long Twitter thread, Kardashian hit out retailers who create budget, copycat versions of the luxury fashion she wears.

Disposable fashion – only wearing clothing items once or twice, is often criticised for being at odds with sustainability.

Back in February, MPs criticised this “insatiable appetite” for clothes, suggesting a penny tax be imposed on fast fashion retailers to go towards a UK government-led recycling scheme.