Fast Fashion Fast
Monday, June 12, 2017
I've signed up for a summer clothing challenge - Fast Fashion Fast organised by Verena Erin from My Green Closet. It basically means no high street shopping for three months - June, July, and August.
When I signed up on June 8th, I'd already purchased a new skirt from ASOS, and I'm going to ignore that fact that just a few hours later I popped to Asda to buy some hosiery - needs must. So I might extend this challenge into September.
Why do I want to do it? Well, I love my charity shopping but if I have a specific item I need (want!) I tend to have a quick look in my local charity shops and then head straight to the high street if I can't find anything. And whilst I'm there I often buy other things too (example, my April clothing purchases).
Also, I can often be found scrolling though my ASOS app when bored and making random purchases. Although my latest ASOS purchase is fabulous, I don't have a lot to wear it with so I'll probably (almost certainly) end up buying more clothes.
I really enjoy second hand shopping, so it'll be fun to see if I can make it through the summer without stepping foot in H&M.
Having signed up to the challenge I'll get emails every few weeks with extra challenges, activities, and encouragement. Blogging about it will make me accountable. Let's see if I can do this...
And a quick thanks goes to Charlotte for not only bringing my attention to this challenge, but for also making me think about where my money goes with her Spending Diaries.
Image Source
10 comments
You know, I really struggle with fast fashion. Although I've never set foot in a Primark (despite there being a massive one in town) or shop at any of the other fast fashion outlets, it's a toughie. If these places went out of business what happens to the millions of Asian garment workers? Although their pay and working conditions are dubious what's the alternative? Back to a life of begging for food and sleeping on the streets?
ReplyDeleteFor every caring, sensitive consumer like you there's 10 who don't give a stuff where their clothes were made as long as they're getting a bargain. xxx
I've had similar thoughts. It's not that I want to stop buying from the high street altogether and put garment workers out on the street, but I do have an issue with the idea of disposable fashion - buying something cheap as chips, and then throwing it away for no good reason. If the demand wasn't so high it would be good for everyone, the pressure for volume would be reduced on garment workers, and with high street retailers (hopefully) pulling their socks up and making sure garment workers are given a living wage and good working conditions, we can bring about a change in the industry. Small changes can lead to great things.
DeleteI agree with the the above! My issue with fast fashion is how clothes have become disposable. I think we need more of a culture of recycling clothes and making ughtful purchases! During the fast I'm going to try and get together a kind of master list of what I want to add to my wardrobe and so instead of mindlessly wandering round charity shops I will have a set list of what I am looking for ☺️
ReplyDeleteI have such a list, but I often stray from it! I think if I was to persevere I could find everything I need in charity shops but I have no patience. Only a couple of times have I gone out with something specific in mind and I've got mixed results. Good luck with your list :)
DeleteI think that's rather a good idea, but as I'm the other way around (I'd rather wait until I find something in the charity shops) I'd have no problem with this challenge. I used to hit the high street/fast fashion shops in my lunch breaks before I discovered charity shopping. It's a different mindset, and you're right that it needs patience, but you'll feel so much better for it, believe me. Good luck! xxx
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of my favourite clothes are from charity shops, I should've learnt patience earlier really :)
DeleteWhat an excellent idea for a challenge - good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI think it helps that I'm not often near high street shops now that I don't work so I'm not tempted very often. It was different when I worked in the town centre and I was passing shops every day. Saying that, I'm not a lover of clothes shopping anyway so I can go for a very long time without buying anything new. Good luck with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm normally pretty good at choosing pre-loved over high street but I seem to have reverted back to H&M, New Look et al over the past few months and I don't want to become reliant on them again. Luckily the challenge allows for second hand shopping so I don't have to stop altogether, total bans never work for me!
DeleteThank you for taking the time to comment x