How I’m Limiting the Fast Fashion Habit
I’ll be the first to admit I’m guilty of it myself… falling for fast fashion clothing and accessories. Fast fashion does an excellent job replicating trends at significantly cheaper price points. However, it comes at an even bigger cost— the cost of the environment and even the quality of life of other individuals.
The term fast fashion literally speaks for itself. It includes both clothing items and accessories that are popular for a very short period of time. The consumer purchases these products to wear them only to dispose briefly after. There are multiple retailers that immediately come to mind, but I’m not here to call anyone out. You can look into that yourself. Considering the use of materials, the creation of textile waste, and the impact this all has on environmental racism, there is a lot to consider when it comes to the consumption of fast fashion.
I am a firm believer fashion should be fun, flexible, and interchangeable. This can be accomplished without giving into fast fashion and taking a few things into consideration. My hope is that I can make even the smallest difference to our planet (and even my wallet) by simply considering the 2 ways below...
COST 👏🏼 PER 👏🏼 WEAR
Something I’ve asked both friends and family before, as well as had others say to me is “Tell me not to buy this” or “Do I really need this?” It’s not as simple as that. Just because you’ve been eyeing something expensive doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy it. The first question to ask yourself is “how often will I wear/use it?” Simply put, Cost-Per-Wear is the cost of the item divided by how many times you will wear it. Taking this into consideration really helps when deciding what or what not to purchase. I realize it’s so easy to impulse buy when an item is extremely inexpensive, aka most fast fashion, so another question to consider is “How long have I wanted this exact item?” If you only just discovered it via an Instagram ad today, then wait it out. By purchasing sustainable or better quality clothing that is guaranteed to last you longer and you will wear more often, you get the most out of CPW. If I know I will get my money’s worth and it will be a piece in my wardrobe that will last, then it’s worth it.
DONATE & DON’T BE AFRAID TO THRIFT
The next time you’re on your major Marie Kondo kick cleaning out your closet and come across those items that don’t spark joy… donate them! Not sure where to donate in your area? Do a quick Google search and I can guarantee you’ll find some place you feel is a good fit. Don’t be afraid to use an app like Poshmark to sell your used clothing on as well!
There are so many cute thrift shops around that you can find adorable and quality clothing at! I have personally said I have bad luck when it comes to thrifting, but I really need be take a leaf out of Macklemore’s book and take advantage of thrift shopping more often... because it can be f***ing awesome.
At the end of the day, my hope is that this post simply provided you with something to reflect on. I am by no means an expert in this area nor can I say I’m perfect in any way when it comes to my fast fashion consumption. I’ve just done some research, which I would encourage you to do as well! I will certainly be more intentional and make more of an effort to limit my fast fashion habit. So, here’s to limiting fast fashion and lending mother nature a helping hand together!
