Shopping With Intention: 5 Ways to Say No to Fast Fashion

How can I shop mindfully to establish a wardrobe I’m proud of, and resist the undeniable pull of Fast Fashion in the digital space?

As an editor of a lifestyle website and an almost-27-year-old, I’m eager to define my own style. But I want to do so in a meaningful way (and on a realistic budget). But since I see a lot of fashion, a lot of sales, and a lot of “must-haves” every day, I’m finding just how much “Fast Fashion” can get in the way. 

“Fast Fashion” refers to the transient pieces from retailers like H&M, Forever 21 and Zara that are completely upturning the fashion industry and pumping out trendy, designer knock-off collections faster than consumers can buy them. This quickening pace of the industry isn’t necessarily a good thing; instead it threatens to hurt job markets and encourages a “more, more, more” attitude among consumers.

I mentioned shopping mindfully because I’m at the point in my life where I’m not buying for Friday night anymore… and I couldn’t be happier about it. These days, I’m fighting the “more, more, more” attitude with purchases that will last for years to come. These items aren’t under $20 poly-blend tops, they are well-made and versatile staples that can shape my wardrobe. 

Obviously working for Waiting on Martha under MKR has really sparked a lot of my interest in shopping mindfully. I’ve begun to appreciate investment pieces, like a pair of killer black pumps or a timeless trench, and understand how they play a lasting role in my wardrobe. I’m also learning the ropes on great discount sites like The Outnet, and I’m discovering retailers (my current favorite: Cuyana) who offer more affordable items that are still great quality (a nice middle ground for a realistic budget).

While I’m inundated daily with site-wide sales and witty subject lines in my inbox, I still find it difficult to say no to trendy, on-the-cheap items at times. I do think you can find a gem or two as an impulse buy, don’t get me wrong. But for the most part, those purchases inadvertently cause you to overspend and ultimately clutter an over-stuffed closet.  Sure, Fast Fashion allows consumers to buy five shirts for the price of one, but it also fails to provide style and quality that will truly transcend seasons.

This is a dangerous (and fascinating) industry to work in; the digital space pushes products faster than many consumers even realize. With seamless integration of buyable links and expertly curated editorial features by fashion magazines and blogs and of course Pinterest, it’s hard to remember if you even wanted that military green jacket that’s now in your shopping cart before you read that post.

Though not entirely to blame for its success, your favorite fashion websites and bloggers (ourselves included) are definitely responsible for fueling the beast that is Fast Fashion. I’m not saying I’m immune to this either; on the contrary, since I’m an avid blog reader, I have to remind myself on the daily that I’m buying for a smarter wardrobe…all after I finish reading “Under $10 outfits that Make Everyone Look Skinnier.”

There’s no wonder that the focus on mindful, intentional shopping is easily clouded when Fast Fashion is running rampant – especially online. True to its meaning, mindful shopping requires just that – mindfulness. The buys don’t have to be boring, but they should be strategic. As I steer through the latter end of my twenties, I’m learning that it’s truly a process that will only get easier with practice. To keep it top of mind, I have five tips for remaining mindful with purchases in the slideshow above, which in turn makes it easier to say no to Fast Fashion.

This post just barely scrapes the surface about both mindful shopping and Fast Fashion. I’ve just started to educate myself on both, and with that, I’ve realized that this definitely becomes a bigger discussion to be had. I’d love to hear your thoughts, how you can relate, your thoughts on Fast Fashion, how you shop with intention, etc. in the comments below. Cheers, Kat