Cheap clothes actually come at a high price- it just tends to be behind the scenes, countries away, and hard to see. But as consumers, it's crucial we maintain ethics over excess consumption. Below is some food for thought that will hopefully make you a more conscious consumer and second guess those fast fashion hauls.

💥 WORKING CONDITIONS

Fast fashion:
 In countries with weak labor laws, garment workers endure inhumane conditions: slavery, long hours, unfair wages, health hazards, and constant exposure to toxic chemicals. And don’t be fooled by factory inspection videos showing smiling workers in clean buildings—places like SHEIN have repeatedly come under fire for unethical practices. Factory inspections can be staged or falsified. There’s far more evidence pointing to unsafe, exploitative conditions than there is ethical conditions. Read more in the links below.
The Guardian: Shein found two cases of child labour at suppliers in 2024, firm tells UK MPs

Shein promised to tackle overwork. A new report claims 75-hour weeks are still common

Conscious fashion:
Ethical brands prioritize people. Workers are paid a living wage, given safe working environments, fair hours, and even vacation time—because they’re treated like human beings, not machines.

✂️ QUALITY

Fast fashion:
When workers are paid per garment instead of by the hour, speed becomes the priority. That means corners get cut—literally. That’s why your clothes fit weird, fall apart in the wash, or have loose threads and unfinished seams. The fewer the details, the faster (and cheaper) they are to produce. 

Fast fashion isn’t designed for you—it’s designed for landfills.

Conscious fashion:
High-quality clothes are made with intention—from the fabric to the fit to the final finishing stitch. Look for things like linings, French seams, trim, and breathable, comfortable materials. These details aren’t just aesthetic—they’re proof the garment took time and care to make and will actually last.

🌍 GLOBAL REPERCUSSIONS

Fast fashion:
Fast fashion has a massive carbon footprint—most of it is manufactured overseas, shipped around the world, and worn for only a few uses before being tossed. The fashion industry is one of the planet’s worst polluters, right up there with oil, agriculture, and transportation.

The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing a year. Around 85% of textiles end up in landfills, and over 50% of fast fashion items are discarded within a year of being made. Just sit with that for a moment.

Conscious fashion:
Sustainable brands exist worldwide and often commit to reducing waste, using ethical labor, supporting local economies, and donating to causes. While no brand is perfect (even ethical ones may face challenges somewhere in their supply chain), consumers can look for certifications like B-CORP, GOTS (organic), or support local and small-batch designers.

And here’s the big difference: well-made clothing actually holds value. If it ends up unwanted, it's far more likely to get resold or thrifted—not landfilled.

💸 CHEAPER NOW = MORE EXPENSIVE LATER

This doesn’t just apply to fashion—it’s true across industries. Home renovations done on the cheap often lead to more repairs down the line. The same goes for clothes: fast fashion hauls now mean you're replacing your wardrobe again next season, because the current batch can’t even make it to next year.

This is perfectly summed up by the “Boots Theory” from Terry Pratchett’s character Sam Vimes:

“The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. ... A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair, which were sort of OK for a season or two, cost about ten dollars. ... But the thing was that good boots lasted for years. A poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time—and still have wet feet.”

If you can, save up for something better—it’ll serve you longer. Even if you're on a budget, one well-made item is worth more than five fast fashion finds that fall apart and you will always spend less money. 

🧠 BUT WHAT IF I HAVE EVENTS COMING UP?

I hear you. It’s tempting—justifiable even—to buy affordable clothing for life’s events when you’re on a budget. But here's the truth: the hunger for constant consumption and the pressure to stay trendy is not sustainable.

Trends are fleeting by design. And guess what? Most of them circle back anyway, right?! Or they never even truly go “out.” So wear what you love, when you love it! Try stepping back from the noise—ask yourself if social media didn’t exist, would you still feel the same pressure to keep up? Do you really need to buy another new dress for your friend’s wedding just because the dress you could wear again is already posted on your instagram page?

I know I sound like a crotchety old person yelling at TikTok, but it’s true. When I was in school, I only compared myself with my classmates. Now because of the widespread use of social media, we compare ourselves to everyone, everywhere, all the time!

Fashion can still be fun. It can still be expressive. But it doesn’t have to come at the cost of people, the planet, or your wallet.

Let’s slow it down, and dress better.

Shop consciously with us!