Fast Fashion? Err, slow down.

Hear us out: fast fashion is a trend we’re ready to move on from. 

Sure, it was fun at first, having instant access to replicas of whatever the fashion icons were wearing and paying just a fraction of the price.

But when was style ever about being cheap and easy?

Fast fashion is more than just a quality issue. It threatens the planet, the future of fashion, and your bank account. Trust us the more you know, the more you’ll want to embrace slow and purposeful instead.

Back it up – what does fast fashion even mean?

Fast fashion is a practice where production cycles are sped up, quality control is so-so, and costs are kept down leading to a shorter lifespan for your product. But for all its promise, it seems the world is ready to slow down and return to better times. And younger generations (hint: you!) are leading the charge with a growing interest in sustainability. 

Seen those videos of influencers ripping open bags of clothes and throwing them over their beds like they were nothing? Look sure, we would have been in heaven when we were 15 and didn’t know any better. But times have changed.

Rather than savouring a reallyyyy good jacket or knowing you waited months to get your hands on a leather handbag, fast fashion is about wanting it now, and getting it cheap, whatever the cost.

The scary stats

You get a thrill opening a package from AusPost and trying on your new goodies. The downsides of fast fashion are a little darker than that. An analysis by Business Insider found that clothing accounts for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. 

What makes that stat even wilder? The number of times we wear an item of clothing has declined by 36% in the last 15 years, according to the UN. We’re throwing away clothes at an alarming rate. According to US stats, the average consumer is throwing away over 35kgs of clothes a year. Mind. Blown.

The clothes might be coming in faster and cheaper, but they don’t last long. Think about the massive rise in second-hand clothing popularity. While half of it is due to our love for a good vintage score, the other is because the quality was just better back then — and still is.

The upsides of slowing down

Sometimes, taking the easier and cheaper route is best. Like when you’re choosing chocolate to snack on or booking last minute flights. When it comes to clothing, shoes, and accessories, we urge you to think beyond the quickest, cheapest fix. Here’s why:

• You save yourself money (in this economy?! Gorg.)

How cheap is fast fashion, really? You buy one item that lasts for a year (if you’re lucky), then it’s time to get another. Or you get yourself one quality piece of clothing that lasts for decades.

• You support brands who give a damn

Now’s the time to speak with your wallet. Shop with brands that prefer quality over quantity, don’t exploit workers, are transparent about their practices, and want to create items that you’ll love for a long time.

• You’re kinder to the planet (and its people)

We know the stats about how scary fast fashion is. By wearing quality items that last longer, there’s less reason to buy new clothes more frequently, resulting in decreased production and fewer emissions and waste.

• You create some amazing hand-me-downs

Face it: your future grandkids aren’t going to be waiting for the day you give them that Shein tee they always loved. Choosing quality, well-made garments is like making an investment. You can hand them down, donate them, sell them for a great price, or hold on to them forever.

Amazing brands leading the charge

Today’s best brands are embracing sustainability and taking a stance against fast fashion. Take Alf the Label, for example. Sure, their bags are an investment. At this price, though, you’re getting the opposite of quick. 

Instead, you get something that will last FOR YONKS—something that’s been made with love, the highest-quality materials, and by people who actually care about how long their customers will get to enjoy their bag. That’s money in the bank.

You can slow down fast fashion

The next time you shop for something new, spend a sec to think about where it came from and how it was made. Shop mindfully for items with people and planet in mind, and we can slowly make a change.

PS – Peachii protects the stuff that means something to you. And we’re big on brands who do the right thing. Learn more about our new era of insurance here.