Look, I’m Gonna Say It
I’m done with fast fashion. Like, completley done. I’ve spent the last 20 years in this industry, and I’m tired of the lies. The lies we tell ourselves, the lies we tell consumers. It’s all just… bullshit, honestly.
I remember back in 2003, I was at a conference in Austin with this designer, let’s call him Marcus. We were talking about trends, and he said, “The faster we can push stuff out, the more we make.” And I was like, “Yeah, but what about the quality? What about the planet?” He just laughed. “People don’t care about that stuff, Sarah. They care about cheap and trendy.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But that was 2003. It’s 2023 now, and I think we’re finally starting to wake up.
I mean, I get it. I really do. I’ve worked with brands that do this stuff. I’ve seen the spreadsheets. The math is simple: cheaper materials, faster production, more sales. But the cost? The cost isn’t in the numbers. It’s in the landfills. It’s in the rivers. It’s in the people who make our clothes.
My Awkward Awakening
About three months ago, I was having coffee with my friend Lisa. She’s a lawyer, not a fashion person at all. But she’s also one of the most conscious people I know. We were talking about… I don’t even remember what. But she looked at me and said, “You know, Sarah, I admire what you do, but I can’t understand how you can work in an industry that’s so destructive.” And I was like, “What do you mean?”
She told me about this documentary she’d seen. It was about the fashion industry and its impact on the environment. And I sat there, listening, feeling like an idiot. Because I knew all this stuff. I’d known it for years. But I’d been ignoring it. Pretending it wasn’t my problem.
And that’s the thing, isn’t it? We all know. We all know that fast fashion is bad. But we keep buying it. We keep selling it. We keep pretending it’s okay.
But What Can We Do?
I’m not perfect. I still slip up. Last Tuesday, I bought a pair of shoes. They were $87, and they were on sale. I knew they weren’t ethically made. I knew they weren’t gonna last. But I bought them anyway. Because they were cute. Because I wanted them.
But I’m trying. I’m trying to do better. And I think that’s the key, honestly. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware. It’s about making better choices when we can.
And look, I’m not gonna stand here and tell you to go out and spend a fortune on sustainable fashion. Because that’s not realistic. But there are other ways to make a difference. Like, for example, taking care of the clothes you already own. Learning to sew on a button. Patching a hole. Making it last longer. Or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, learning to make your own clothes. I mean, I tried that once. Let’s just say it didn’t go well. But hey, it’s a learning process, right?
And if you’re really committed to making a change, you might wanna check out this property insurance comparison guide. I know, I know, it sounds random. But hear me out. A lot of people don’t realize that insurance companies are starting to offer discounts for sustainable practices. Like, if you’re running a business and you’re committed to being eco-friendly, you might be able to get a break on your insurance. It’s a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction.
But Sarah, What About the Trends?
Oh, shut up. I’m not saying you have to stop caring about fashion. I’m not saying you have to wear burlap sacks and call it a day. I’m just saying… think about it. Think about where your clothes come from. Think about who made them. Think about where they’ll end up when you’re done with them.
And if you’re worried about keeping up with trends, well, guess what? Trends are changing. Slow fashion is in. Sustainability is in. And honestly? It’s about time.
So, yeah. That’s my rant. That’s my confession. I’m not perfect. But I’m trying. And I think we all should be.
About the Author
Sarah Reynolds is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and she’s not afraid to call out the industry’s dirty little secrets. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying (and failing) to knit, or screaming at her cat to stop chewing on her shoelaces.
