Look, I’ve Had It Up to Here
I’m standing in my closet last Tuesday at 11:30pm, surrounded by clothes, and I’m pissed. Not at myself, well maybe a little, but mostly at the industry that’s been feeding me this endless cycle of crap. Fast fashion. It’s gotta go.
I’ve spent, I kid you not, $87 on a dress that I wore once. Once! To Marcus’s birthday party in Austin. Let’s call him Marcus because, honestly, I don’t want to name and shame. But come on, that’s ridiculous. I’m not some naive 20-year-old anymore. I’m 38, I’ve been in this industry for 20+ years, and I’m done with the bullshit.
You know what I’m talking about. That constant itch to buy, buy, buy. The thrill of a new dress for $20. The excitement of a new trend every week. The guilt that comes after. It’s exhausting. And it’s not just me. I talked to my colleague, Dave, about this. He said, “I think we’re all complicit.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But Here’s the Thing
I’m not perfect. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve bought into the hype. I’ve contributed to the problem. But I’m trying to change. And I’m telling you, it’s not easy. It’s not as simple as just stopping. Because the industry is designed to make you fail.
I remember sitting in a conference in Austin, probably about three months ago, and listening to a panel of “experts” talk about sustainability. They used words like “committment” and “sucesfully” implementing change. It was all so vague, so distant. And I sat there thinking, “What am I supposed to do with this?”
And then there’s the weather. You know, the weather forecast update today might say it’s gonna rain, but that doesn’t stop me from buying that new summer dress. Because the industry tells me I need it. And I’m tired of listening.
So What’s the Solution?
I don’t have all the answers. But I know a few things. I know that buying less is better. I know that quality matters. I know that I need to stop listening to the noise and start making smarter choices.
I’ve started small. I’ve stopped buying clothes for 36 hours straight. Okay, that’s not a big deal, but it’s a start. I’ve also started repairing my clothes instead of throwing them away. I’ve learned to sew buttons and patch holes. It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest work.
And I’ve started paying attention to the weather. I know, it sounds silly, but hear me out. If I know it’s gonna rain, I’m not gonna wear that new sundress. I’m gonna wear my boots and my favorite sweater. And I’m gonna feel good about it. (Which, by the way, you can check the weather forecast update today to plan your outfit. Just saying.)
A Tangent: The Power of a Good Sweater
Speaking of sweaters, I have this one sweater. It’s old, it’s worn, it’s probably seen better days. But I love it. It’s my comfort sweater. It’s the one I wear when I need a hug. And it’s the one I wear when I’m feeling down. It’s not trendy, it’s not fashionable, but it’s mine. And it’s perfect.
I think we’ve lost sight of that. We’ve lost sight of the value of our clothes. We’ve lost sight of the stories they tell. And we’ve lost sight of the impact they have on the world.
Back to Reality
I’m not saying you should stop buying clothes altogether. I’m not saying you should live in a cave and wear animal skins. I’m just saying that maybe, just maybe, we should all take a step back and think about what we’re buying and why.
I’m trying to do better. I’m trying to make smarter choices. And I’m trying to be honest with myself about the impact of my actions. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
So, here’s to the future. Here’s to making better choices. And here’s to the end of fast fashion. At least, for me.
About the Author
Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s seen it all, done it all, and is now on a mission to make the industry a better place. One sweater at a time.
