How to Break Up with Fast Fashion

Fashion isn't a broken system, it was built this way intentionally.

We've all become better consumers in the last few years with COVID-19 highlighting the present inequalities & discrimination that has always existed. It's hard for consumers to say no to these ridiculous deals on fast fashion clothing and many people cannot afford luxury, sustainable brands. But there are alternatives:

{Me wearing all secondhand from DAV thrift store ~ jacket, bike shorts, hiking shoes, sister's t-shirt & friend's earrings}

Root of the problem;

It's particularly frustrating when CEO's of fast fashion companies are pocketing billions & selecting trusted influencers to showcase "MUST HAVE SUSTAINABLE trends" from their unethical brands for big bucks.

Major companies like Zara, H&M, Forever 21, TopShop, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Oscar De La Renta, Anthropologie, Walmart, Balmain, TopMan, Boohoo/Pretty little thing/Nastygal/Warehouse/Karen Millen, etc.; produce fast fashion at a massive scale & pace. Which is cheap for consumers to buy, but exploitative for the garment workers who are not receiving a living wage and also facing slave labour conditions (ex: Boohoo, 2021).

The cherry on top of this waste site is how horrible these companies are for the environment. Massive pace and scale = means little regard for the extraction of natural resources & ultimately devastation to those spaces.

Fast fashion companies are even greenwashing customers into thinking that they are "circular" ~ meaning their products are recycled back into the system. However, the majority of their "recycled" garments end up in second hand economies when they are exported to countries like Ghana, where 40% of them become waste immediately.

These baby step initiatives claiming to be "sustainable" represent less than 1% of these major companies' collections. H&M uses greenwashing to promote its "conscious collections" - which is a bit of recycled cotton that doesn't make up for their huge, overall output.

Meanwhile, the H&M Chairman earns 17 billion dollars & their Bangladeshi workers earns $21/month. So, these companies are still producing more clothing than our planet can handle & not paying garment workers a fair living wage, doesn't sound too sustainable. (Venetia LaManna)

The solution;

Here are some steps to help you overcome your fast fashion addiction;

1) Take out everything in your closet. Wear what you have!

Seems too simple, right? But look at all the items you currently own and try wearing something new each day. Does it fit? Will you wear it again? Take note of the styles & materials you like. Neutral colors and good quality are timeless. Consider that as you change/expand your wardrobe in the future. You'll also be surprised by what you already have & gain new appreciation for it.

2) Go to thrift-shores & secondhand stores

Bring a list with you of what you need in your closet, so your search can be precise. For example, wool sweater for winter. Look for that item, exclusively. You can also take screenshots of styles you like from fast fashion companies or Pinterest. Keep in mind the materials matter, so they last longer! Look for fleece-lined sweatpants & wool or synthetic wool for your winter clothing to keep you warm. You can also take note of breathable materials like cotton & hemp in the hotter months.

3) borrow or steal from your sister's closet

Well, maybe ask. But the concept of asking friends and family is taboo in our culture and it really shouldn't be. If you need a dress for a special occasion, there is no harm in asking a girlfriend to borrow theirs. Evaluating our need "to buy" items is a good starting point to stopping an addiction.

4) try swapping

Clothing swaps are amazing. You get to trade items around and have a new wardrobe every season if you want, without spending money & trashing usable clothes. Check out facebook groups to find some in your area. For Toronto, there is Clothing Swap Revolution Toronto.

5) research sustainable companies

Do some research of local, sustainable companies in your neck of the woods. Verena Erin has an amazing, ethical Shopping Guide for you to use!

If you're at a place to support/purchase try buying from a local company in your city, state/province or country. You will literally be helping someone in your community maintain their good-for-everyone job & you get a nice quality item out of it.