I’m Addicted to Fast Fashion, and It’s a Problem
Look, I know. I know. Fast fashion is bad. It’s destructive, it’s exploitative, it’s basically the McDonald’s of the fashion world. But, I mean, have you seen the sales at H&M? I can’t even.
I remember, like, three years ago, my friend Lisa told me, “You’re never gonna stop buying fast fashion unless you find something else that makes you feel the same way.” And I was like, “Yeah, yeah, whatever, Lisa.” But she was right. I’m addicted to the thrill of cheap, trendy clothes. It’s like shopping crack.
And don’t even get me started on the environmental impact. I read somewhere that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions. property market news says it’s worse than the airline industry. Which, honestly, makes me feel physicaly ill.
But It’s So Damn Convenient
I get it. I do. We live in a world where we want everything now, and we want it cheap. And fast fashion delivers. I can go online at 11:30pm, buy a dress, and have it at my door in two days. For $20. How am I supposed to commit to slow fashion when I can get a whole new wardrobe for less than the cost of a single designer item?
I tried, though. About three months ago, I swore off fast fashion. I even went to a conference in Austin about sustainable fashion. There was this guy, let’s call him Marcus, who told me, “The average American throws away 80 pounds of clothes per year. That’s insane.” And I was like, “Yeah, yeah, I know, but have you seen the sales at Zara?”
Marcus looked at me like I was a monster. And, honestly, I felt like one. But I couldn’t help it. I’m weak. I’m a sucker for a good deal.
The Illusion of Choice
Here’s the thing about fast fashion: it’s not just bad for the environment. It’s also bad for us. It gives us the illusion of choice. We think we’re expressing our individuality, but really, we’re all just wearing the same mass-produced crap.
I remember talking to my colleague named Dave about this. He said, “You know, back in the day, people had fewer clothes, but they were higher quality. They lasted. They meant something.” And I was like, “Yeah, but back then, people also didn’t have Instagram. We live in a world where we need new outfits for every occasion.”
Dave just shook his head. “That’s the problem,” he said. “We don’t need new outfits. We just think we do.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But try telling that to my 214 unread notifications from fashion influencers.
What’s the Alternative?
So, what’s a girl to do? I’m not gonna lie, I’m not sure. I’ve tried thrifting, but it’s hit or miss. And I’ve tried investing in quality pieces, but, honestly, I get bored of them so fast. I need variety. I need constant stimulation.
Maybe the answer is just to accept that I’m never gonna be a perfect environmentalist. Maybe I can just try to do better. Buy less. Choose more carefully. Support brands that are trying to do the right thing.
But, honestly, I’m not holding out hope. I’m too far gone. I’m a fast fashion addict, and I probably always will be.
A Tangent: The Rise of the Influencer
Speaking of, let’s talk about influencers for a sec. They’re not helping. I follow this one influencer, let’s call her Jessica, who posts a new outfit every single day. And I’m not kidding, every single outfit is from a different fast fashion brand. She’s like a walking advertisement for the problem.
I asked her about it once. I said, “Jessica, don’t you think you’re contributing to the problem?” And she was like, “I’m just showing what I like. People can choose what to buy.” Which, okay, fair. But also, no. You have a responsibilty. You have a platform. Use it for good.
But, whatever. I’m not here to police people’s shopping habits. I’m just saying, maybe think before you buy. Maybe ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Or, “Will I really wear this more than once?” Or, “Is this just gonna end up in a landfill in six months?”
I don’t know. It’s a lot to think about. Maybe I’ll start small. Maybe I’ll just try to buy less. Or, you know, maybe I’ll just keep shopping at H&M and hope for the best.
Look, I’m not a perfect person. I make mistakes. I’m trying to do better. But, honestly, it’s hard. It’s really, really hard.
So, yeah. That’s my committment to sustainable fashion. It’s not pretty. It’s not succesfully. But it’s honest. And, honestly, that’s the best I can do.
About the Author: Jane Doe is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s a self-proclaimed fast fashion addict trying to do better, one (cheap) purchase at a time. You can find her on Instagram @janedoe.fashion, where she posts about her struggles with sustainable fashion and her love of a good sale.
