It's 2024, and the capitalist overabundance of things doesn't seem like it will go away anytime soon. One of the best examples of this is fast fashion. It seems that no matter how much awareness and how many sustainable fashion bloggers are out there, they're still outweighed by the SHEIN haul girlies on YouTube and TikTok.
You might ask yourself: 'Why are brands like SHEIN, AliExpress, etc. still alive?' I'd say their only function is to fuel groups like this. The Facebook page "It's Called FaSHEIN Sweaty" dedicates its content to the terrible and hilarious finds from many fast fashion sites. "We are just here to shame clothes!" the page boldly announces. Well, someone has to do it because some of these entries would have benefited from a second opinion.
More info: Facebook
#1 When You Want That Extra Belly Button?
Image credits: Max Donnz
#2 755 Dollars For A Zip Tie?
Image credits: Alexandra Paraschiv
#3 Please Help Me Understand
Image credits: Suné Fonternel
The fast fashion industry is one of the biggest markets worldwide. According to the Fast Fashion Global Market Report in 2023, the estimated value of the industry was a whopping $122.98 billion. Economists expect it to grow to $142.06 billion in 2024. When there's so much money involved, one has to think: how can this be sustainable?
A not-for-profit organization, Fashion Revolution, has published its Fashion Transparency Index ever since 2017. They're interested in how much information brands disclose about their business practices. The 2023 report points out that the progress towards sustainable fashion is still too slow.
28% of the world's largest clothing brands still fall under the organization's rating range of 0-10%. Some statistics are worth celebrating, too. For example, more and more major brands disclose their supplier lists. Fashion Revolution reports that the percentage is currently more than half – 52%.
#4 Please Place Your Vajooter Completely Inside The Wedgie Strap
Image credits: Lisa Esparza
#5 A Completly Natural Unedited Female Figure
Image credits: Ashley Given
#6 Um... Where Are We Wearing This?
Image credits: Alyssa Dickson
However, there's a lot to still be sad about. Almost half (45%) of the major clothing brands disclose close to nothing about their practices. 80% don't report their production volumes, making it hard to determine global overproduction. And almost all (99%) brands don't disclose their commitment to reduce the number of new items they produce.
The main aspect of fast fashion that most people tend to focus on is that workers are usually getting less than the minimum wage. Fashion Revolution reports that only 1% of major fashion brands disclose how many workers get living wages.
#7 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#8 Super Realistic Shein…
Image credits: Lily Murray
#9 Do I Even Need To Say Anything Here?
Image credits: Erica E Midcap
Did you know that we can find hazardous chemicals in our clothes? Because they're so cheap, fast fashion items might be making us sick. There are all kinds of harmful chemicals in our clothes, like the hormone-disruptor BPA, lead, PFAS, and phthalates.
Some of these, like tributyl phosphate, dimethyl fumarate, and disperse dyes, can cause skin reactions and worsen asthma symptoms. What makes it hard to test is the secrecy of fast fashion companies. According to the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, only 7% of brands publish their supplier wastewater results.
#10 Please Help Me Understand
Image credits: Suné Fonternel
#11 For Those Who Are Dedicated To The All-Denim Life And Already Have The Canadian Tuxedo, The Joots, And So Much More, I Present:
Image credits: MichaelWarbur17
#12 I Usually Love Everything Betsey Johnson Does... But Really?
Image credits: Caitlin McAuley
Why do so many people buy fast fashion items? Because it's cheap and easily accessible. Some people even say that being a sustainable fashion lover is a privilege; not everyone can afford to buy only sustainable fashion items. However, some proponents of sustainability claim that this is a myth.
Ethical Brand Directory admits that sustainable fashion can often be pricier than its fast fashion counterparts. "Most of their clothes are substantially more expensive than a Primark alternative, but for good reasons: they guarantee an ethical and sustainable peace of mind for the buyer."
#13 AliExpress Really Has Some Of The Best Items
Image credits: Gini Ra
#14 That's Horrendous, Tacky, And Awful
Image credits: Mary Oglesby
#15 I Refuse To Accept That This Styling Choice Is Anything But A Commentary On How Deep The Pockets On Women's Jeans Could Be And How Small And Useless They Insist On Making Them Instead
Image credits: Alexandria Wein
But there's also another side of the coin. Back in the day, when we didn't know what fast fashion was, our clothes were sturdier. With fast fashion came clothes that were bad in quality and not long-lasting. Then there's the plastic microfibre problem. Fast fashion brands use materials like polyester and nylon for their clothes. One washing machine load of these synthetics can release millions of microplastics into the world.
#16 I Kinda Want It Lol
Image credits: Nancy Rene Cusumano
#17 Wtf
Image credits: Ashley Malone
#18
Image credits: Miranda Chalmers
Well, it all sounds bad, but what can we do about it? It's hard to know where to start when you're bombarded with sustainability pledges from H&M and Zara on one side and zero-waste influencers on the other. Should we renounce clothes altogether?
The Mindful Monday Method might be a good place to start. It's a technique by influencer, illustrator, journalist, and author of "Why Don’t I Have Anything To Wear?" Andrea Cheong.
#19 What Is This?
Image credits: JJ Carroll
#20 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#21 Her Hair Is Goals Also
Image credits: Aiko Castonguay
Her method has five steps. First, you evaluate your wardrobe. You go through the clothes in your closet and decide which ones you don't like and why. It can be because of the fit, color, texture, or maybe even the retailer. This step might also help in figuring out a capsule wardrobe.
"Anytime you're leaving the house, take a photo in the mirror, save it on your phone, and once you've got about eight outfits, that is your capsule wardrobe. Count how many items you mix and match from what you already have," Cheong explained to Vogue.
#22
Image credits: Mayela De La Huerta
#23 Not Photoshoped At All
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#24 Oh!
Image credits: Raimi Nicole
Then, it's time to decide how much money you're willing to spend on clothes. Also, take into account how much you're spending right now and whether you're happy with the sum. Some people might decide only to buy second-hand, while others might opt for sustainable brands that offer pricier clothing. Cheong herself says she nowadays mostly buys vintage: "I think this is more meaningful."
#25 Huh?
Image credits: Narys anonimas
#26 These Shein Creators Are Becoming Unhinged
Image credits: Donna Jane
#27 Is It Just Me, Or Has This Been Drawn On?
Image credits: Phoebe Claire
That's where the third step comes in: decide on your sustainability goal. Your decision can range from zero waste to even only buying sustainable luxury brands. Cheong says that it might be hard to define or stick to your goal, as social media might exert its influence.
"This has so much to do with what social media shows us and peer pressure. We have to be mindful [of] how we speak about consumption with each other, as opposed to always asking, 'What are you wearing? Did you buy anything new?'"
#28
Image credits: Kimberley Lloyd
#29 Hmm? Give This Photo Editor An Award?
Image credits: Dimity Brooklyn Harriott
#30 Girlberealnotperfectjustbeyourself
Image credits: Chloe Neale
The last step is to think about the composition and quality of the clothes you buy. Doesn't matter if they come from a second-hand shop or a fast fashion retailer. Cheong helps people recognize what fabrics are better quality and worth buying on her social media. "How does this match up to the price? Are we being greenwashed? It saves people money while innately being more environmentally conscious," Cheong said.
#31 Love Me A Jellyfish Cosplay
Image credits: Rieta Matsumoto
#32 This Is Legit Scary
Image credits: Aimee Clark
#33 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#34 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#35 Not Shein, But Wtf
Image credits: Jackie Liberto
#36 ......... I Feel Like It Speaks For Itself
Image credits: Dylan Davis-Merrett
#37 Roadkill Dress, Anyone?
Image credits: Jamella Ifa
#38 Apologies If These Have Been Posted Already, But I Joined This Group With The Sole Purpose Of Making Others See These Hideous Pants Just As I Had To
Image credits: Courtney Lamb
#39 "Do You Want To Wear Pants But Still Want To Get Chub Rub? Well, Have We Got The Pants For You!"
Image credits: Sara Nielsen
#40 Not The Mickey Kicks
Image credits: Bianca Olivas
#41 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#42 Wut
Image credits: Alyson Lauren Clay
#43 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#44 Oh?
Image credits: Molly Draper
#45 Why…
Image credits: Lily Lenker
#46 My Favorite Comment: "I've Got A Ten-Tear-Old Hat. Let Me Dunk It In My Tackle Box And See What Comes Up."
Image credits: Kelly Rose
#47 I… I Have No Words. If You’re A Tad Spicy In The Noggin Like Me, You *know*. Lmao, Gotta Be Fashionable For Those Medically Necessary Vacations, I Guess
Image credits: Maria DeCiccio
#48 Is A Dress An Oversized T-Shirt?
Image credits: Giovanna Cossalter-Walters
#49 Brting
Image credits: Mary Oglesby
#50 Sagged Pants With Extra Steps
Image credits: Robin O'Bumsawin
#51 Well
Image credits: Christian Agreda
#52 Ah Yes, The Completely Natural, Unedited Female Form
Image credits: Emma Jane
#53 Oh, Why ??
Image credits: Julia Schrader
#54 Dress...meh. Not My Style. But Hand Placement? Looks Itchy In A Spot That Doesn't Need To Be
Image credits: Kyrie Alisa Fowkes
#55 Apparently It’s A Keychain? ?
Image credits: Brianna Edson
#56 ?
Image credits: Tamira Goliath
#57 I Don't Like This One... But I've Seen Some I Did Like, Just To Find They Did Zero To The Back. Like A Trim Or Something Only On The Front
Image credits: Chantelle Chantelle
#58 The Shirt??
Image credits: Narys anonimas
#59 Not Shein, But Oof ??
Image credits: Ali Parks
#60 Why. Just Why. What Is It Covering? ?
Image credits: Jessie Greenfield
#61 I'm Not Sure What's Worse: The Portable Urinal, The Fake Butt, Or The Bulbous Swimsuit. The Bikini Bottoms Look Like Diapers
Image credits: Kaitlan Carlson
#62 I Love The Row, But What The Hell Is This? Hahaha
Image credits: Helen Grams-Anderson
#63 Oh No
Image credits: Kimberley Lloyd
#64 These Are Shoes. According To The Lister's Claim, They Help You Become Slimmer, Somehow
Image credits: Anna Mat
#65
Image credits: Anna Kavaliova
#66 I Have No Words ?
Image credits: Cherry Garcia
#67 ? I Don’t Want One Now
Image credits: Narys anonimas
#68 Y’all
Image credits: Joselina Berg
