Fast fashion or conscious consumption?

"Do you actually like that latest trend?"

Do you buy new clothes on a regular basis? Let’s be honest, the vast majority of clothes we buy may not exactly be with the goal of replacing something that is beyond repair, but it is because you want to follow the latest trend or you are simply in the mood for shopping.

Those two reasons usually align with a desire to buy cheap clothes rather than something more expensive that might last a lot longer. Constantly shifting trends and the assumed requirement to follow them is enough of an incentive to buy cheap. The glossy magazines don’t usually show off expensive, well-made items, but they focus on what can be mass-produced and sold in large quantities before the winds of change bring another trend to the front pages.

Sadly, “cheap”, “mass-produced” and “low quality” go hand in hand more often than not, and are the main elements that make up fast fashion. Fast fashion is defined as “rapid production of inexpensive, low-quality clothing that often mimics popular styles of fashion labels, big-name brands, and independent designers. By endlessly offering new trends at cheap prices, fast fashion brands encourage consumers to continually buy more clothing.”

Quite apart from a constant churn of buying new stuff and accumulating items that no longer are good enough to wear or out of fashion, these cycles have consequences. The production and extended supply and transport chains of those nearly-single-use items creates a huge carbon footprint, and often relies on non-renewable resources.

On top of that, your wardrobes are inundated with lots of fast fashion items that you suspect are still okay to wear (often still with the labels on them) but have been superseded by more “trendy” items, and now form a clutter issue.

Maybe you want to consider your shopping habits. Is it really necessary to follow every single trend? Is social media really the most reliable source of information? Is this new trend only on your mind because you are bombarded with it day in day out, or is it something YOU actually like? It’s easy to be influenced by constant overwhelm.

Maybe it’s worth considering buying less, and less frequently, but paying a little more for unique items that stand out and particularly speak to you. Sustainable fashion tends to be more local, uses materials that can be recycled or reused, and tries to damage the environment as little as possible.

As a professional declutterer, I often have conversations that dig deeply into the psyche of shopping, the reasons behind your motivation, and hidden motives. In the case of fast fashion, however, we have clear measures and can decide to make our own informed choices.

It’s up to you to make that change. One thing is certain: your wardrobe will become more manageable, and the items you own will be unique and durable.