I also have never shopped Shein! I’ve kinda wondered if I’m missing out on good deals, but when I see pieces at thrift stores I understand why they are so cheap…
For me, I've been trying to pay more attention to the actual pieces I am buying and what material it is made out of, quality of stitching, etc. - less on where I buy FROM. That being said, I love thrifting, and I have never ordered from SheIn, though I do fall victim to a good Old Navy or H&M black Friday deal. I have definitely entered a phase in my life where I am saving up for one expensive and good quality pair of jeans instead of owning 10 from Old Navy that I hate.
Yes I agree quality over quantity! I just find it so disappointing when I buy something I thought was quality and then don’t wear it much (because it isn’t actually that high quality, or I just don’t like it for other reasons)
I think I bought fast fashion when I thrifted a couple pairs of American Eagle jeans . I don’t know if some of my other favs fall into the category though, like REIs store brand that I buy new for example or when I buy JCrew secondhand… are they fast fashion? I prioritize fabric over everything else, even brand. If it’s not 100% for tops and like 95% for bottoms. If it feels like it will fall apart or that it can’t be mended if it tears, I’ll pass. My most worn shoes are leather and I bought a pair of Altras for my ideal self that rarely wears them. 🫠 My Xeros get a lot of wear, where do we draw the fast fashion line for shoes? Are Birks fast?
I’m still learning about this purity choice and what fabrics to avoid. So far, I’ve just been looking for cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, modal, and tencel for clothes and leather for shoes. They are all probably problematic in their own ways, but that’s what I’ve opted for right now. I was a staunch vegan for many years and have meditated a lot on how those values fit in with my current lifestyle choices and sustainability goals. Its all so messy!
I am not sure the exact line between fast and slow fashion, it’s definitely more of a spectrum where some brands are more “fast” than others, but I count places like jcrew/madewell as fast fashion even though they are more expensive than places like Shein. I love the idea of prioritizing fabrics and I think I need to try that more because sometimes I don’t rewear things as much because they wrinkle so easily!
I think this is a really smart and accessible goal. I struggle with the gray area of fast fashion. I never shop Shein and rarely Zara, but is Madewell fast fashion? Is Free People? I find its helpful to remind myself that shopping less and wearing what I own is the most sustainable thing you can do. One fast fashion item you wear for years is likely still better than 5 from a more ethical brand that you discard after a season.
I used to buy fast fashion brands until I could finally afford to care about what I wore. I'm not a fan of all second-hand shopping, sometimes I worry about bed bugs. I try to focus on buying sustainable materials and supporting brands that support human well-being.
I also have never shopped Shein! I’ve kinda wondered if I’m missing out on good deals, but when I see pieces at thrift stores I understand why they are so cheap…
For me, I've been trying to pay more attention to the actual pieces I am buying and what material it is made out of, quality of stitching, etc. - less on where I buy FROM. That being said, I love thrifting, and I have never ordered from SheIn, though I do fall victim to a good Old Navy or H&M black Friday deal. I have definitely entered a phase in my life where I am saving up for one expensive and good quality pair of jeans instead of owning 10 from Old Navy that I hate.
Yes I agree quality over quantity! I just find it so disappointing when I buy something I thought was quality and then don’t wear it much (because it isn’t actually that high quality, or I just don’t like it for other reasons)
I think I bought fast fashion when I thrifted a couple pairs of American Eagle jeans . I don’t know if some of my other favs fall into the category though, like REIs store brand that I buy new for example or when I buy JCrew secondhand… are they fast fashion? I prioritize fabric over everything else, even brand. If it’s not 100% for tops and like 95% for bottoms. If it feels like it will fall apart or that it can’t be mended if it tears, I’ll pass. My most worn shoes are leather and I bought a pair of Altras for my ideal self that rarely wears them. 🫠 My Xeros get a lot of wear, where do we draw the fast fashion line for shoes? Are Birks fast?
I’m still learning about this purity choice and what fabrics to avoid. So far, I’ve just been looking for cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, modal, and tencel for clothes and leather for shoes. They are all probably problematic in their own ways, but that’s what I’ve opted for right now. I was a staunch vegan for many years and have meditated a lot on how those values fit in with my current lifestyle choices and sustainability goals. Its all so messy!
I am not sure the exact line between fast and slow fashion, it’s definitely more of a spectrum where some brands are more “fast” than others, but I count places like jcrew/madewell as fast fashion even though they are more expensive than places like Shein. I love the idea of prioritizing fabrics and I think I need to try that more because sometimes I don’t rewear things as much because they wrinkle so easily!
I think this is a really smart and accessible goal. I struggle with the gray area of fast fashion. I never shop Shein and rarely Zara, but is Madewell fast fashion? Is Free People? I find its helpful to remind myself that shopping less and wearing what I own is the most sustainable thing you can do. One fast fashion item you wear for years is likely still better than 5 from a more ethical brand that you discard after a season.
I used to buy fast fashion brands until I could finally afford to care about what I wore. I'm not a fan of all second-hand shopping, sometimes I worry about bed bugs. I try to focus on buying sustainable materials and supporting brands that support human well-being.
Thank you for the post! It was a good read!