I’ve always kept my clothes for a really long time. That’s because I usually buy classic, quality pieces that never go out of style. I started revamping and editing my closet last year to once again achieve a minimalist wardrobe. A fair portion of my clothes survived the closet clean out. Ironically it’s the classic pieces that have been in my closet for years. I’ve been maintaining a (generous) minimalist wardrobe with carefully selected pieces ever since. But this Summer I fell off the wagon and added way too many pieces from fast fashion stores to my closet. I had to throw out (not even give away) a lot of those pieces. With the exception of a select few. I’ve seen the light again. That’s why I’m trying to quit fast fashion.
Fashion Nova Jeans & Top | Sam Edelman Shoes
Cole Haan Bag | F21 Jewelry
Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve found some amazing pieces in Fast Fashion stores. I have a few blazers that have been in my closet for years. That’s because I chose quality pieces that were made to last. But this Summer I chose a few trendy pieces, and some pieces simply because they were cheap. For example, I was in need of some new midi bodycon dresses. So I ordered multiples from Forever 21. All of those dresses are in the trash. They either had excessive pilling, shrunk in the wash or stretched out beyond wear. I should have learned my lesson as I buy those dresses every year and have to trash them at the end of the season.
Midi bodycon dresses are staples in my wardrobe as I not only wear them alone, but layer them under blazers, dusters and vests for different looks. So I need to buy these dresses in quality materials that will allow me to wash and wear them constantly.
Jeans are another wardrobe staple for me. I wear them quite frequently and need them to be able to withstand multiple wears & washes. I’ve recently become obsessed with the Fashion Nova jeans worn in this post, and bought them in all 3 shades. I absolutely love them because they fit my figure perfectly. I purchased these jeans as I was lacking jeans in my wardrobe. However, these are not quality jeans. The jeans are made with very thin, cheap material. At the rate I wear my jeans, these won’t last a year. So I actually had to buy a few new pairs of jeans. I stuck with brands that not only fit great, but are also constructed with durable materials so that the jeans will last. I’ll be talking about those brands in another post.
I can go on and on with examples but I think you get my point. I’ve simply had enough and I’m going to try hard to quit fast fashion. Aside from basics like cotton tees, camis & tanks and accessories. By accessories I mean fashion jewelry. I’m done buying fast fashion bags and shoes. Cheap shoes hurt my feet, and cheap bags fall apart. I’ll be getting my wardrobe staples from elsewhere and sticking to high quality pieces. And high quality doesn’t have to be expensive. Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off 5th, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s are my go to places for finding high quality pieces at a discounted price. I may even try thrifting too. I’ve also fallen in love with The GAP again. Especially when they’re having a 40% off sale like now (Shop). I grew up wearing GAP so they’ll always have a special place in my heart.
I don’t have coins to be constantly replacing cheap clothes and accessories. Nor to be adding stuff to my closet just because it’s poppin’ at the moment, but I won’t want to look at it next season. I have better things to do with my money. And quite frankly, I ain’t got time for that!
8 Responses
I completely agree. I’m trying hard myself to quit fast fashion……it’s harder to find quality plus size pieces in plus size that doesn’t cost a grip but I know what you mean. Being “trendy” costs more but style is forever.
That’s exactly how I feel. I rather have a selection of quality, timeless pieces that I can mix and match to create endless outfits. Having to to do an overhaul of my wardrobe every season is not what’s up!
I think many of us are having this epiphany. I just donated 4 garbage bags full of stuff to the Salvation Army which is shameful. I ” love ” fashion so for some reason I’d always find myself buying something every time I’d go into a store and would see something on sale. I had the mind set that I didn’t want to wear the same things over and over when in fact, that’s what I do anyway. Many items in my closet hadn’t been worn in years.
I recently purchased a few fall pieces from Ralph Lauren and Vince Camuto ( those brands really fit me well). I’m even being more selective in my jewelry. Brighton and my sterling silver pieces I bought in Mexico are now taking center stage. Thank you so much for your posts. I really appreciate your style and tips. 🙂
You’re welcome, and thanks for commenting. I’m glad that you enjoy my posts. You are so right. I was doing the same thing. Now I only buy something if I absolutely love it, and can pair it with at least 3 things already in my closet. And if I really need it at the moment. We can have a small wardrobe and still not wear the same thing over and over again by pairing things differently. I’ve also been editing my fashion jewelry as I have so much stuff and wear hoops most days. A lot of that stuff is going too! 🙂
I am so with you. I am addicted to TKmaxx(british version of TJmaxx lol) becoz I am amazed at the quality fashion i find there at ridiculously cheap prices. I cant do high street fashion coz i am buying something so cheaply made at a unjustifiable high price. I have things that are 8yearsu old yes I do ?that if I wore today someone will ask wer I got it. I could wear it and still sell it on coz of the quality of the material and craftsmanship. But dammmn I need help resizing my wardrobe ? still got a long way to go. I am literally a fashion hoarder and find it hard to let go of clothes. I need to check into fashion rehab
Lol I totally get it. I used to be that way but I’m getting better. I do a closet clean out every season and it actually takes me a couple of weeks to get rid of everything I don’t need/want, and carefully select a few new pieces to add in. Most of the time I add stuff as high quality replacements for the cheap crap I had to get rid of. Like getting rid of 5 or 6 outdated or cheap bags in exchange for one new high quality one 🙂
Awesome post with accurate facts. Zara, H&M, Forever 21, all have come cute items but their pieces are made with the cheapest materials in the world and rarely last more than 1 or 2 seasons. A few washes and it’s a wrap. I’m a personal stylist so I tell clients to think of clothes shopping as an investment. I believe in buying well made pieces. Fast fashion is great for teens and people on a limited shopping budget, but when building a solid wardrobe, it’s best to go to stores that offer quality merchandise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Fashion Nova jeans. IG is flooded with Fashion Nova merchandise but I had a feeling their clothing was cheap and poorly made.
Thank you so much, and no problem at all. I was curious about Fashion Nova so I did a few little hauls. The clothes are definitely cheaply made. The jeans fit like a dream, but are pretty much the type of jeans you could get at stores like Rainbow, Pretty Girl, Cliquers and Conway. If you have or rather had any of these stores where you live, as most of them are long gone. I don’t even recommend fast fashion for people with a limited shopping budget as you’ll have to continuously buy things over and over with money that you don’t have. It’s definitely great for teens though, and trendy pieces that you only expect to wear a season. And we all know that you don’t want to load your wardrobe with too many of those lol