Why fast fashion is costing you more than you think

With the cost of living hitting hard, plenty of people are rethinking how they spend their money, and this fashion designer is one of them. 

26-year-old Australian, Maddie Langshaw, is pointing out a common habit that seems like a bargain but ends up being way more expensive in the long run: fast fashion.

She used to earn over $100,000 (around R1.2 million) working full-time in social media and marketing, but eventually walked away to start her own slow fashion brand.

Her decision wasn’t just about following her passion, but it was also a wake-up call about how fast fashion really works.

“It feels cheap at the time, but the cost adds up,” she told news.com.au. 

“You end up constantly replacing poor-quality stuff, it harms the environment, and honestly, it just clutters your life with things that don’t mean anything.”

She says fast fashion encourages a never-ending cycle of buying.

“It makes you feel like you always need more, but nothing ever really satisfies you. It’s not about style anymore, it’s just waste,” she said.

“It’s also mentally draining because you’re stuck in this loop of always wanting, but never feeling happy with what you’ve got.”

Langshaw’s been there herself. She used to shop just because things were cheap or trendy, but the novelty wore off.

“The clothes didn’t last, and I didn’t feel like myself in them,” she said. 

“Now, most of my wardrobe is second-hand or thrifted. If I buy something new, I do a ton of research first. I want to know who made it, what it’s made from, and if I’ll actually love it for years.”

She believes fast fashion tricks us into thinking more is better, but it’s a cycle that never really ends.

“It keeps us spending but never really satisfied. Once you break that mindset, you actually save money and end up with pieces that last and feel more like you,” she said.

Langshaw’s had her fair share of fast fashion fails. Like clothes falling apart after one wear, shrinking in the wash, or pilling within days.

“One time I wore a dress out to dinner and the hem literally came undone mid-meal,” she said.

“I remember thinking, ‘Why am I spending money on stuff that doesn’t even hold up?’”

Now, she’s ditched fast fashion almost entirely.

“Most of those brands are out of my wardrobe. They don’t last, and it drives me nuts. In the end, I’ve actually spent less money by thrifting and I get way more wear out of what I own.”

As much as most of us love a bargain and always being on trend, it’s time we put a bit more thought into what we buy and add to our wardrobes.

IOL Lifestyle

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