A Broke Student Guide to Fast Fashion

There is a reason why “Retail Therapy” is a phrase we all know.

Shopping comes second nature to our generation, especially when it comes to our clothing. Technological advancements and globalization has made many industries very efficient.

It has also made our clothing very cheap.

Many of us however, have little to no idea about how our clothing is actually made. The reality is that much of our beloved clothing stores are a part of a big unsustainable industry known as “Fast Fashion”.

Here are some reasons why you should let go of fast fashion:

• 1) It’s terrible for the environment

The environmental impact of fast fashion has rivaled that of the oil and agricultural industries. The industry is unsustainable in all senses of the term.

The fashion industry generates 1/5th of the world’s water pollution. That’s not a surprise considering it takes 2700 liters of water to make one t-shirt.

Just ONE.

• 2) Labor workers are treated unethically

In the back of our minds we all know that the low price tag means low pay for someone on the other side of the world. But often times, we don’t really know the extent of how horrible conditions actually are for factory workers.

In addition, we often aren’t aware of how little the big names in Fast Fashion care about those making their products. It’s only until a factory fire breaks out in Bangladesh or a building filled with workers collapses that we are made aware.

Numerous documentaries such as the Netflix film “The True Cost” shows how unethical labor conditions really are for fashion industry laborers.

• 3) It’s actually MORE expensive (in the long run)

After my third pair of Forever 21 jeans ripped in the span of 4 months, I was over it. Imagine if I kept re-buying the same pair every time they wore out. That’s more than enough money to buy one, good-quality pair of jeans that will last (and probably fit you better).

Sure, it’s painful to fork up 50 bucks for a nice pair of jeans. But we need to think long-term here. This could not only save you money in the long run, but also save you time you would have spent buying your third pair in 4 months.

“This could not only save you money in the long run, but also save you time you would have spent buying your third pair in 4 months.”

As a broke college student, I get it. A pair of 7 dollar jeans is hard to resist, especially when we are already taking on thousands in loans and spending a fortune on our degree…I digress.

Although buying cheap clothing is attractive at the moment, it most likely won’t be worth it long-term. When it comes to our education, we believe that the investment we make now will pay off in the future. Why not implement that kind of thinking when it comes to our clothing?

Good news for us, this investment does not have to empty your pockets.

Here is your broke college student guide to battling fast fashion:

• #1 Thrift shops and Consignment Stores are your best friends

Whether or not Macklemore made thrift shopping cool in 2012 is up for debate. But the number of thrift shops and consignment stores have increased since then. There are more options for students to buy clothing of good quality for a much lower price than retail. Online thrift stores are also a viable option.

That’s how you ball on a budget, my friends.

• #2 Buying Less

Yes, this sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a million shirts to be stylish. Tons of people have cut back and only wear and buy clothing that makes them feel great. Try Project333. You would be surprised how much you don’t miss the majority of the clothing you own.

• #3 Become your own Tailor

You do not have to be an aspiring fashion designer to learn to repair and fix up your own clothing. A rip or a tear does not mean you need to rebuy a new pair (I swear that wasn’t supposed to rhyme). In fact this could be an opportunity for a way to revamp your clothing without breaking the bank.

Also, the good thing about buying durable clothing is that repairing does not seem like a waste of time. Trust me, it sucks putting work into something that doesn’t end up being worth it. Especially if you pricked your finger 12 times to sew it up.

“When it comes to our education, we believe that the investment we make now will pay off in the future. Why not implement that kind of thinking when it comes to our clothing?”

It is important to know that each one of us has buying power with our money. YOU have buying power. You exercise that power every time you buy something.

Shop in a way that fits your budget and your morals.

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By Effie Kirose, ALDA’s 2018 Brand Development Specialist Intern

Originally published at alda.life.