Hello, satin lovers!

This week's post is an article I have been working on for weeks, so I hope you read it until the end and let me know what you think plus your suggestions of this.

Fashion is more than brands and trends. Fashion is a form of art and it kils me to know that fast fashion is killing this beautiful craft.

Firstly, let's get into terms. What is fast fashion? Well, Fast Fashion is a contemporary term used by fashion retailers for designs that flow from the catwalk quickly to capture current fashion trends. Fast fashion clothing collections are based on the most recent fashion trends presented at Fashion Week in both the spring and autumn of every year. They're basically inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers. 

I know what you're thinking: trends are fun and they allow you to explore different styles and play with your outfits, but it won't be as good or fun in the long term for your wallet and the planet. Sticking to classic shapes can guarantee that your closet will be timeless, this is my secret I'm sharing with you.

And let me tell you this is something we have to erase. We have to be conscious of mindful consumption. It’s much easier  to be sustainable in your consuming of fashion than you might think. The reality of the situation is that you can be sustainable without breaking the bank, here in this article you'll see how.

The fast fashion business can be very deceptive. On one hand they promote their clothing at somewhat cheap prices so it’s affordable to the kind of shoppers they want to attract (i.e. millennials w/o much money to begin with). But on the other hand there is so much wrong with them:

The quality of the textiles they use are so cheap, see-through, flimsy, etc that they don’t even last that long in your closet, therefore making you buy more $5 shirts that add up to a lot in the long run. They cut corners whenever they can, scam customers, steal artwork from independent artists and put it on things, they breech labor laws by using poor countries like China and Vietman in order to cut the costs of production.

They buy cheap so they can sell cheap. 

Fashion sites online that market themselves as affordable such as Yesstyle, Shein, Romwe, and many others are just as worse. These companies more often than not are based in China and they are notorious scams, and the employees are treated just as bad as those that work for major fashion brands. Not only that, but a lot of the textiles/fabrics these companies are using are not that ecofriendly. Lots of Polyesters, silks, blends, and other materials will never breakdown. 

Most of it will end up in landfills. The dyes they use too are loaded with horrific chemicals that cause a lot of damage. The workers breathe in these chemicals all day, it’s on their skin and clothes. It’s beyond comprehension how nothing is really being done about these serious issues.
But you can make a difference. Change your shopping habits. I know it can be tempting to walk into a mall or go online to Forever21, H&M, Topshop, and buy what you need. But in the long run you’re wasting more money than you are saving it. You’re also more inclined to buy more than you actually need based on a lot of sketchy marketing tactics these companies use in order for you to shop more. So in the end you’re left with a closet full of clothes you may not even wear or they don’t even last long.

I don't want this to be a long exhaustive rant, so if you want to educate yourself in this, some good ways to get yourself a little more educated is by watching the documentary The True Cost. Plus a couple of other things:
“Stop Buying Fast Fashion”
“Think Before Promoting These Brands”
“How fast fashion adds to the world’s clothing waste problem”
“Affordable Sustainable Fashion | Conscious Shopping on a budget”

Now, let's get into what we can do.

Shopping sustainably and ethically can come off as an expensive alternative. Though these brands tend to cost more than most commercial brands, having a mindful wardrobe doesn’t have to break the bank. Sustainable materials cost more: natural materials, generally grown on farms in a certified organic way, farmed in a way that pays workers fairly and ethically.

Tips to rebuild your wardrobe into a one more conscious.
  • Shop second-hand (thrift shopping): not only is it affordable and sustainable, but it can be fun creating your own style and doing more with less. One of the most obvious ways of reducing our fashion waste is by shopping at local thrift stores, vintage stores, or consignment shops. Always be cautious of over-consuming at these places. Just because you are spending less does not mean you should buy more simply because it’s cheaper! A healthy practice is to donate one article of clothing (or two, or three!) for every item you buy from the thrift store. This practice can also be applied to non-thrift finds. Enjoy online shopping? Popular mobile apps such as Thred Up, Poshmark, Mercari, and Depop allow for a more curated experience when compared to sorting through racks and racks of clothing. You can filter through size, color, type, etc to find what you’re looking for while still shopping second hand!
  • Have a minimalist or capsule wardrobe: not spending so much on every new “trendy”, fast-fashion pieces of clothing, allows you to save up and afford the more expensive brands and products that are sustainable //  with a small clothing budget, you’re allowed to be more mindful as to what you add to your wardrobe (even if it’s one piece) // new shopping habits: quality or quantity // due to the concept of "year-round-clothing” with minimalism, you’ll be able to buy pieces that actually last. Focus on your own personal style rather than following trends. Not only is this a lot more fun, it also means you will value pieces you already own and love a lot more. 
  • Share and borrow clothes from friends. Yes! Let's say you're going to a formal event and you need to a dress that you'll probably wear rarely, if ever again. Why not just ask around to see if anyone will lend you something? Not only will this save money, it's also a lot less wasteful.
  • Find a balance between conscious brands and second-hand clothing that works with your budget: this depends on your situation (age and location), budget/finances, needs, and lifestyle // the impact your wardrobe has, also is affected by how you care for your clothes // don’t always wash your clothes in hot water and dry in hot dryers, in order to not waste energy and allow your clothes to last longer/not replace items continuously.
  • Research your brands: check their websites, google about them (reputation), and read their “about us”/”what they stand for”/ “their mission” // allows you to make a more mindful investment in your clothing // look for certifications (e.g. GOTS or FairTrade) // research by country, brand or production criteria (e.g. Eco Fashion World) // read about blogs and websites about sustainable fashion. Some popular sustainable brands are Reformation, MuuMuu, Everlane, Outdoor Voices and PACT (for athletic clothing needs), and always check Etsy for handmade apparel.
  • Clothing Repair: purchasing a sewing kit can be one of the most helpful things you can do! Learning to repair minor (or even major) damages to clothing you cherish can prevent clothes from winding up in a landfill. Also learning to dye T-shirt’s can give them new life! The average person will toss out 81 pounds of clothing. Stained or tarnished clothing can still be donated or repurposed into rags/cloths.


You don't have to throw away every piece of fast fashion you own, instead, take everything out and see not only if it sparks joy or not, but also “this does not spark joy but it’s a basic piece, let’s keep it in the event I get a job with a dresscode” and “needs to be altered”. You could also keep a “could be useful for a costume” box.

Transitioning to this lifestyle can be difficult at first but remembering your small impact and create a ripple in preventing climate change allows us to reflect and be more conscious of our relationship with the world. 

That's all for now!

I hope it's useful and easy to understand. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter, so you won't miss a new arcticle about fashion and life style every week!
 
   XO, Girl in Satin