The Effects of Fast Fashion

It is without a doubt that the rise (and rumored fall) of fast fashion has changed how we look at style. There's a notable difference that I'll always revere. Fashion and style are used entirely too interchangeably when the meanings are different. Fashion regards trends and the runways and style regards personality and experience.

Fast fashion has gotten a rep for being the lowest bar of fashion. I don't think that's fair. I completely believe that fast fashion has her place and it's completely within our fashion realm to use fast fashion toward better ourselves. Without completely falling trap to its side effects.

How Fashion Matches Tax Bracket

I've noticed with fast fashion there's been a polarization. There's the people who buy fast fashion because it's helping them along their fashion journey. And, there's the other camp. The people who are solely focusing on how being trendy makes them look. I grew up as a Walmart clothing kid. In the late 90s and early 2000s there wasn't fast fashion there is now.

The Double Edge Sword of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion in its own right is an amazing avenue for exploring your style and giving trends a try without runway prices. There's likely to be more than one time that you fast fashion pieces last you a whole lot more than the price you paid for them. Fast fashion has only skewed in the way that they target people who are easily excitable (its me, hi!). When traits like body type and ratios aren't considered. It leads to fast fashion's biggest problem. Textile and clothes waste.

How Money Helps (and hurts!) Your Fashion Sense

No amount of money can replace a thorough mind. Fashion like life is never just black and white. It requires nuance. There is a time and place for everything. Take the time to learn about things like fabrics! Even if you never make your own clothing in your life. You'll learn how fabrics drape and why you feel suffocated by certain materials. Money can't buy the experience. Money is most helpful on your mindful fashion journey when it's used as a tool of exploration. Money is meant to be your helper not your savior in fashion!

Fashion's Relationship to Quality vs Quantity

We've all seen these crazy $2,000+ fast fashion hauls? Every season? This kind of content is really dangerous. Because, it fits into the narrative that in order to look and feel great in your clothes they need to be the bleeding edge. It also paints this picture that somehow spending $2,000 on fast fashion is more affordable than spending that same money on slow fashion.

Defining Slow Fashion

I define slow fashion simply as garments with consistent quality that's meant to be worn through multiple seasons without obvious distress in the fabric. Including things like big name brands like Levi. And of course, more of the luxury brands like YSL. Pieces that, by the way. Are easily accessible on the second hand market. Even if you don't plan on picking them up second hand! It's an amazing resource to see how garments and materials wear over time.

The Quality of Clothes Versus the Price You Pay for Them

Please always keep in mind that the quality should always trump the quantity. Also note that quality does NOT mean expensive. Given a bit of planning ahead and patience, it can be worthwhile. Whether that's saving towards a really good quality of jeans or buying your staple handbag that fits your definition of timeless.

What to Consider Within Fashion as a Whole

I will forever be a huge advocate for investing your time. Especially when it comes to fashion. I'm starting to see that it's a long game. Your fashion will develop with you and reflect your favorite parts of yourself. It'll be how you grace the world with your presence. It isn't about how you show up. This process is about showing up for yourself in a way that's intentional.

The Importance of Exploration in Fashion

If available to you, let yourself explore fashion through thrifting and discount stores as well. A well trained pair of eyes can find a quality garment without having to be runway ready. I'm begging you, take some time in your closet! Figure out why your favorite pieces are your favorite. OMG! Figure out your kibbe body type. Not that this is law, only that it serves as a perfect jumping off point to looking at your body in neutral. Seeing different people dress bodies similar to yours!

The Value in Finding Fashion Inspirations that Look Like You

I've often times got carried away in the narrative that a situation I find myself in is unique to me. Recently, it's been a huge relief to find that I've been lying to myself. We're people. And, even in our uniqueness there is similarity. Your inspiration is out there, you just have to find her. And when you do, it'll spark this unmatched sense of kinship. Especially when it comes to fashion, I do wish that for every one. Because any chance to see yourself through kinder eyes usually comes from recognizing familiar traits in someone else.

Thanks for reading this week's newsletter! If this newsletter has been forwarded to you. Click the bottom button to subscribe. Reply to this email and let me know what your fast fashion experience has been like.