“So, what you’re saying is that I should stop buying shit online?”
A friend and I were chatting about their struggle to find clothes that fit. After I gave them some advice, they immediately said, “So, what you’re saying is that I should stop buying shit online?” Well, yes and no. Let me explain.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALKED ABOUT FAST FASHION OVERCONSUMPTION
The Challenges of Finding Well-Fitting Clothes
Look, I get it. Shopping in-store can be a nightmare these days. Many retailers have slashed their in-store inventory, making it tough to find what you need, especially if you’re looking for extended sizes.
Online shopping seems like the perfect solution, right? Well, yes, it’s the easier option – but only if you’re doing it the right way.
Taking a Closer Look at Your Online Shopping Habits
As a personal stylist, I often witness the pitfalls of online shopping.
The biggest issue? People rarely return what doesn’t work. Be honest with yourself. How many times have you kept something you didn’t love just because returning it felt like too much work?
Here’s a challenge for you: If you’re an online clothing shopper, open up your account right now.
Look at your orders from the last six months. Add up all the money you’ve spent on clothes, shoes, accessories – anything you can wear – that you didn’t like but haven’t returned.
That total? It’s money you’ve essentially thrown away to fast fashion brands.
The True Cost of Cheap Clothes
Now, you might be thinking, “But those cheap clothes from Amazon (or Shein, or Temu) aren’t that bad!” Sure, fast fashion clothing might look okay at first glance. But what about longevity?
A well-made clothing item should last for at least 10 wears. Cheap, poorly-made, trendy clothing? It’s lucky to survive a couple of washes before it starts falling apart. The fabric loses its shape, shows signs of wear, or just disintegrates in your washing machine.
Before you know it, you’re shopping for a replacement after just a few wears.
How much money could you save if you invested in slightly higher quality pieces that don’t need replacing so often? You’re not in your early 20s anymore, buying $7 tops from Forever 21 just to last one night out. You need to start shopping smarter.
Fast Fashion Overconsumption and Environmental Impact
The fast fashion industry is bad for your wallet, but it’s devastating for the environment and the people involved in the production of clothes for fast fashion companies.
Here are some hard-hitting statistics:
- 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic clothing.
- 85% of clothing and textiles created by the fashion industry end up in landfills or burned as textile waste.
- UNICEF estimates that more than 100 million children are affected by the fast fashion industry globally.
It’s an ugly truth, but fast fashion overconsumption comes at a high environmental cost, contributes to the climate crisis, and, more often than not, involves child labor.
It’s time to stop buying more and think about how you can buy better.
Impulse Shopping
Social media has turned pretty much all of us into impulse shoppers.
I’ll admit, I’m guilty of it too (though usually for things to keep my high-energy dog Penny occupied). When it comes to clothes, it’s so important to stop mindless consumption of fashion trends.
Sure, influencers can be great for inspiration. But remember, many of them are paid to promote certain brands. Before you click that “Buy Now” button on that cute matching set an influencer is pushing, take a beat. Do a quick Google search. Is this something you really want? Does it align with your values?
There are certain brands I never recommend to clients because their business model just doesn’t align with my values – no matter how trendy their clothes are.
How to Stop Fast Fashion Overconsumption and Shop Smarter
1. Invest in Your Staples
Think about the pieces you wear every day. For me, it’s jeans. I’ll happily spend $200 on a great pair because I know I’ll wear them constantly and they’ll last for years. I also always invest in high-quality, comfortable shoes.
2. Shop Secondhand Clothes
If spending $200 on jeans is not in your budget, try shopping for secondhand clothes. And I don’t mean just going to random thrift stores and hoping for the best. The truth is, it’s not always easy to find truly high-quality secondhand pieces, so you’ll have to do some digging.
Sites like Poshmark, Depop, TheRealReal, and ThredUp are great for finding high-quality pieces at a fraction of the price.
Identify high-quality brands you love, and try finding them online secondhand. This way, you can save money and find the perfect fit!
3. Treat Everything as a Learning Opportunity
I’m not saying all of this to make you feel bad. We’re all learning and trying to do better. But it’s time we start thinking more critically about our fast fashion consumption.
Ultimately, fast fashion is a mindset. It’s the idea that we need constant newness, that last season’s styles are somehow less valuable. But by slowing down, investing in quality pieces, and shopping more mindfully, we can break free from this cycle.
So, to answer my friend’s question: No, you don’t have to stop buying shit online entirely. But maybe it’s time to buy less shit, and buy better shit instead.
Your wallet, your wardrobe, and the planet will thank you.
FAQs
How Does Fast Fashion Contribute to Overconsumption?
Fast fashion floods the market with cheap, trendy clothes at breakneck speed and makes you feel like you need to buy something new every week. These clothes fall apart quickly, so you’re back for more before you know it. It’s a vicious cycle of buy, wear, toss, repeat. Before you know it, your closet is bursting with clothes you’ve barely worn, and you’re still scrolling for the next big thing.
How Wasteful Is the Fast Fashion Industry?
Fast fashion is incredibly wasteful. To illustrate my point, research shows that clothing sales doubled from 100 to 200 billion units a year, but the average number of times an item was worn decreased by 36% overall. In other words, we’re producing more clothes than ever (using cheap materials) – but we’re not actually wearing them.
Fast fashion generated more carbon footprint than aviation and shipping combined, and we discard 92 million tons of clothes-related waste each year. That’s enough to fill one and a half Empire State Buildings every day.
Why Is Fast Fashion an Addiction?
Fast fashion plays on your brain’s love for novelty and bargains. Every time you snag a “great deal,” your brain gets a dopamine hit. Fast fashion companies have mastered the art of making you feel like you need that new top or those trendy shoes RIGHT NOW. And at those prices, why not? Before you know it, you’re caught in a cycle of constant buying and fashion waste.
What Qualifies as Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion brands prioritize quantity over quality. They sell cheaply made clothing (think a $10 dress) that usually falls apart pretty fast. Websites like Amazon, Shein, and Temu are the epitome of fast fashion (and, at the same time, direct fast fashion industry results).
Why Is Fast Fashion Bad for Mental Health?
Fast fashion always makes you feel like you’re not enough. It breeds a constant state of FOMO (fear of missing out) and inadequacy. It also creates a never-ending cycle of comparison and consumption that can mess with your self-esteem and body image. Plus, the dopamine hit of a new purchase quickly gives way to guilt about your spending and the environmental impact. It’s wasteful, addictive, and doesn’t actually make you feel good.
Is There a Solution to Overconsumption?
Yes, but it’s not a quick fix. It’s more like a lifestyle overhaul. It starts with shifting your mindset, valuing quality over quantity, and embracing slow fashion. You need to make a continuous, consistent effort to buy less, choose better, and make your clothes last longer. We as a society also need to start demanding more transparency and sustainability from fashion brands.
HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT FAST FASHION OVERCONSUMPTION IN THIS EPISODE OF THE SUSAN PADRON PODCAST
Check out the Susan Padron Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. While you’re there, hit subscribe!
WHAT’S NEXT?
If you’re ready to become more intentional about your style and find clothing pieces you truly love instead of defaulting to fast fashion overconsumption, learn more about my stylist services!
You can also get more information and outfit ideas on my socials:
