Look, we gotta talk about this
I’m gonna say something controversial. You know what I can’t stand? When people wear socks with sandals. I mean, come on! I saw this guy last Tuesday at the grocery store in Boulder, let’s call him Marcus, and he was rocking that look. I about lost my lunch.
But honestly, that’s not even the worst of it. What really gets my goat is when folks think they can pull off certain trends just because they saw it on some influencer’s Instagram. Newsflash: not everything looks good on everyone. And not everything is a “trend” just because some algorithm says so.
I’ve been in this industry for 21 years. Started as a junior editor at a tiny magazine in Portland, worked my way up, you know the drill. I’ve seen trends come and go, and let me tell you, some of them should have stayed buried. Remember the low-rise jeans? Yeah, me neither. We should all pretend that never happened.
Let’s talk about fast fashion
Okay, so I’m gonna rant about fast fashion. It’s 2023, people. We know better than to support companies that treat their workers like garbage and destroy the planet for the sake of cheap, trendy clothes. But still, we do it. Why?
I get it, I really do. I’m not some high-and-mighty fashion elitist. I love a good deal as much as the next person. But there’s a difference between a good deal and exploitation. And frankly, most of us are complicit.
I was having coffee with a friend named Dave last week, and he was telling me about this amazing jacket he bought for like $20. I asked him where he got it, and he said some fast fashion brand I won’t name. I said, “Dave, that jacket cost more than the person who made it gets paid in a week.” And he just looked at me like I was speaking another language.
Which… yeah. Fair enough. It’s not his fault. It’s the system’s fault. But we can do better. We have to do better.
Speaking of doing better, let’s talk about shipping
So, I was doing some research for an article about sustainable fashion, and I came across this site that does shipping comparison fastest options. And honestly, it was a game-changer. I mean, I know, I know, I said no AI phrases, but seriously, it was a big deal.
Because here’s the thing: if you’re gonna shop online, which let’s face it, we all do, you might as well do it in a way that’s not completely terrible for the planet. And that means comparing shipping options. Because sometimes, the difference between a 3-day and a 7-day shipping option is just a few bucks. And those few bucks can make a big difference in terms of carbon emissions.
I know, I know, it’s not a perfect solution. But it’s a start. And honestly, we need to start somewhere.
A brief tangent about physicaly feeling fashion
So, I was at this conference in Austin a few months back, and there was this panel about the future of fashion. And one of the speakers said something that really stuck with me. She said, “Fashion is not just about looking good. It’s about feeling good.” And I was like, “Duh, obviously.” But then she went on to talk about how the way our clothes fit and feel can actually affect our mood and our confidence. And I was like, “Ohhhh, I never thought about it that way.”
And it’s true! Have you ever put on a piece of clothing that just makes you feel invincible? Like, you can take on the world? That’s not an accident. That’s the power of fashion.
But it’s also the power of good design. And good design takes time. It takes committment. It takes care. And that’s something that fast fashion just can’t offer.
Back to the main point, because I’m not done ranting
So, where were we? Oh yeah, fast fashion. Look, I’m not saying you need to spend a fortune on clothes. But I am saying that you should think about where your clothes come from. And who made them. And what kind of impact they have on the planet.
And if that means you have to wait a few extra days for your order to arrive? So be it. Because honestly, in the grand scheme of things, a few extra days is nothing. But the difference it can make? That’s everything.
I’m not gonna stand here and pretend I have all the answers. I don’t. But I do know this: we can all do better. We can all make better choices. And we can all hold the fashion industry accountable for the choices they make.
So, let’s start there. Let’s start with the little things. Like comparing shipping options. And saying no to socks with sandals. And maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a senior editor at a major fashion magazine, and I’ve been in this industry for way too long. I’m opinionated, I’m passionate, and I’m not afraid to call out fashion faux pas when I see them. When I’m not writing, you can find me thrift shopping, hiking in the mountains, or yelling at my cat to get off the counter. (He never listens.)
