What the Fast Fashion Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know About Your Clothes
When I first began to embrace the sustainable life, it wasn’t because I wanted to make a statement. It was born out of necessity.
I was a young newlywed with a brand-new baby, and I quickly realized how impossible it was to keep up with the amount of clothing a baby needs. They grow so fast, outgrowing outfits almost as quickly as I could buy them. On top of that, my own body was changing postpartum, and I couldn’t afford to replace my wardrobe constantly. One day, out of desperation, I walked into a thrift store, unsure of what I would find. What I discovered changed my life.
Most baby clothes were just 99 cents, and I found quality clothes for myself for as little as $4 each. That saved me so much money that I got hooked. Thrifting became my way of dressing myself and my baby well while staying within a budget. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was also breaking free from the fast fashion trap—and I never looked back.
The Real Cost of Cheap Clothes
The allure of fast fashion lies in its ability to bring runway styles to the everyday shopper in a matter of days. The price tags are low, the options endless, and with every turn, new trends appear. But as I began to dive into the history of clothing—especially through my love of Cottagecore, with its emphasis on vintage, secondhand, and well-made pieces—it became clearer how unsustainable these fast trends really are.
Have you ever opened your closet and felt like you had nothing to wear, even though it was full of clothes? That’s not just an emotional frustration—it’s intentional. Fast fashion is designed to make you feel like what you own is outdated so that you keep consuming. The more trends that cycle through, the more we buy, and the more we discard. But have you ever stopped to wonder why that $5 t-shirt doesn’t last? Why those pants get worn out after only a few washes? The answer is simple: It’s not made to last.
Fast fashion thrives on disposability, where clothes are built to be cheap and used only a few times before they fall apart. The materials they use are often of poor quality—think synthetic fabrics that may seem comfortable for a moment but don’t breathe and eventually break down into microplastics, contributing to pollution.
I remember my grandmother saying that she would never wear polyester. I didn’t understand at the time why, but now I do. A lot of cheap clothes are made from this material, and it irritates my skin beyond belief. I love finding pieces that are comfortable and lasting, made from natural fibers that stand the test of time.
And let’s not even start with the working conditions behind the clothes we wear. These manufacturers often rely on workers in developing countries, paying them pennies for labor. In many cases, these workers are subjected to unsafe working conditions, forced to work in overcrowded factories with minimal pay, all to feed the insatiable demand for low-cost clothing. It’s heartbreaking, and it made me pause every time I thought about buying yet another pair of bargain jeans.
The Environmental Impact
Beyond the labor issues, there’s an environmental toll that fast fashion takes, and it’s a monumental one. The textile industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, second only to oil. From the production of cheap fabrics like polyester to the staggering waste produced by trends that fade faster than the season itself, the damage is significant. When you buy a shirt for $3, it’s not just your wallet that’s being affected—it’s the planet.
These garments, made from synthetic fabrics, end up in landfills for years to come. Since they aren’t biodegradable, they stay around long after we’ve discarded them. It’s a vicious cycle of consumption, and with the constant drive for the next “it” thing, it’s becoming harder to break free.
Yale Experts Explain Microplastics “ Washing clothing made with synthetic fibers in washing machines is another common way that households often unknowingly contribute to the microplastics problem…” Read More here
It wasn’t until I shifted to more sustainable choices in my own life—like incorporating secondhand pieces into my Cottagecore wardrobe and exploring vintage finds—that I realized how much power we hold as consumers. When we choose to spend a little more on a higher-quality item, or better yet, choose a pre-loved garment, we are standing up against an industry that doesn’t want us to know the real cost of its cheap clothes.
My Thrift Journey: From Frustration to Love
When I first began thrifting, I didn’t know the first thing about quality. I was just trying to find something cute to wear on a tight budget. But over time, I realized that I wasn’t just saving money—I was preserving the legacy of beautiful clothing. Many of the items I found were made of natural fibers, from wool to linen, and they were often handmade or designed to last. I would often wonder about the story behind a vintage piece—a dress that had been passed down through generations or a pair of boots that had walked miles before reaching me. There was something deeply comforting in that.
One of my most treasured finds is a vintage Spell piece that is incredibly rare and hard to find. I picked it up for a fraction of its original cost, and it’s in beautiful shape. The craftsmanship and quality are unlike anything I could buy new today. That’s the magic of thrifting—you uncover hidden gems that carry stories and character while resisting the wastefulness of fast fashion.
The Truth About Donating Fast Fashion
Many people believe that donating their fast fashion pieces to the poor is a good deed. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. Most of what is donated to thrift stores never even makes it to the sales floor. There is simply too much, and much of it is low-quality fast fashion that no one wants to buy. Instead, these clothes often end up being dumped in landfills or shipped overseas, flooding markets in developing countries with unsellable waste.
If you want to see what really happens to fast fashion in thrift stores, follow my journey on Instagram @hellogorgeousthreads. I go around locally, showing you what you’d actually find at Goodwill or other thrift shops—including the overwhelming amount of fast fashion that ends up there. I also help you find the hidden gems that make secondhand shopping worthwhile.
Breaking the Cycle: Choosing a Different Path
If you’re still reading this, I bet you’re starting to see the big picture too. This isn’t just about saving the planet—it’s about saving our relationship with our clothes. It’s about cultivating a life where we can take pride in the things we own, where we invest in quality over quantity, and where we care about where our clothes come from.
If you want to start making the shift, try shopping locally first. It takes more effort, but you’ll find truly unique and quality pieces. If sifting through fast fashion at thrift stores feels overwhelming, try shopping on The RealReal. I turn to it when I’m looking for beautiful, high-quality pieces for my family. They have everything, and pieces start as low as $8!
Find your next thrifted gem and get $25 shopping credit! Click HERE
If you’re looking for practical ways to transition to a more sustainable wardrobe, check out my guide on How to Create a Sustainable Cottagecore Wardrobe, where I share my favorite tips on choosing timeless, well-made pieces that last.
Join me in celebrating a more intentional, sustainable wardrobe—one that tells a story and leaves a legacy that will last for generations. You won’t regret it.
Brooke
Hello Gorgeous Threads
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I’m Brooke, a homeschool mom and cottagecore enthusiast dedicated to creating a cozy, sustainable home. My journey into cottagecore is all about savoring life’s simple pleasures, from baking to gardening. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to share more about the beauty and charm of cottagecore living with you!
Have you ever stared at a closet full of clothes and felt like you had nothing to wear? That’s no accident. Fast fashion is designed to keep you consuming, filling your wardrobe with pieces that fall apart after a few washes. But where do those discarded clothes really go? Follow my journey to see what’s happening to your donations—and how to build a wardrobe that lasts.