The Art of Grit

(5 Minutes)

Fast fashion has become a cornerstone of many of us when we shop for clothing. Companies like Temu, Zara and Shein among others have built empires by providing affordable, trendy clothing at a speed that keeps up with our fast-paced lives. They’ve mastered the art of delivering what feels like runway-inspired looks at bargain prices, often making us feel like we’re getting a deal too good to resist.

At its core, fast fashion relies on speed and affordability. These brands use advanced logistics and production systems to churn out new collections almost overnight, feeding a market that is constantly hungry for something new. Social media has played a big role in this, with its ever-changing trends and the rise of short video platforms urging us to refresh our wardrobes more often than ever before.

On the surface, it seems harmless, even exciting—why not embrace a system that gives us affordable access to the latest styles? But when you dig deeper, fast fashion reveals a much more troubling story. Beneath the glamour of endless options lies an industry that thrives on exploitation—of resources, of people, and of our desire for more.

The Cost of Fast Fashion

The true cost of fast fashion goes far beyond its price tags. For customers, the promise of affordable clothing often masks the fact that these items are made to be disposable. A $10 blouse might look great in the store, but after a few washes, it loses its shape, its color fades, or it tears. It’s a frustrating cycle—one that forces us to replace items frequently, ultimately spending more money over time than if we had invested in quality pieces to begin with.

What’s worse is how this affects our sense of value. Fast fashion teaches us to think of clothes as temporary and replaceable, rather than something worth treasuring. It lowers the bar for what we expect from our purchases, making it harder to appreciate good craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Over time, this mindset erodes our understanding of what “quality” really means.

The market itself suffers, too. Small businesses and designers who prioritize craftsmanship and sustainability struggle to compete in a world where fast fashion dominates. These companies are often forced to lower their prices and cut corners to stay afloat, leading to a race to the bottom where true artistry and creativity are sidelined.

And then there’s the environmental toll. Fast fashion has created a culture of excess and waste. The industry is one of the biggest contributors to pollution, with textile dyeing polluting water sources and synthetic fabrics shedding microplastics into the environment. Landfills are overflowing with discarded clothing, much of it made from materials that take decades—or even centuries—to break down. It’s a crisis we’re only beginning to fully comprehend.

What Are We Really Buying?

One of the most common arguments in favor of fast fashion is that it makes style accessible. For those on tight budgets, the ability to buy trendy clothes at low prices can feel empowering. But what are we really getting for our money?

Fast fashion offers affordability, but it does so at the expense of quality. That “runway look for less” often falls apart after just a few wears. The fabrics are cheap, the stitching is rushed, and the fit is often far from perfect. Over time, these pieces end up costing us more—not just financially, but emotionally, as we feel frustrated by their short lifespan and constant need for replacement.

There’s also a deeper issue at play. Fast fashion capitalizes on our desire for more—more clothes, more trends, more ways to fit in or stand out. It’s a cycle that never really satisfies because it’s built on the idea that what we have is never enough. This mindset leaves us chasing the next new thing, without ever stopping to ask if it’s truly adding value to our lives.

When we buy fast fashion, we’re not just buying clothes. We’re buying into a system that encourages us to consume mindlessly, to prioritize quantity over quality, and to treat our possessions—and, by extension, ourselves—as disposable.

A Growing Awareness

Thankfully, this narrative is starting to shift. More and more people are beginning to question the true cost of fast fashion—not just in terms of dollars, but in terms of its impact on the planet, the market, and their own lives. There’s a growing awareness that the fleeting satisfaction fast fashion provides isn’t worth the long-term consequences it brings.

This doesn’t mean we have to give up on fashion altogether. Style and self-expression are important, and clothing can be a powerful way to reflect who we are. But maybe it’s time to rethink how we approach it. Instead of chasing trends, what if we focused on building a wardrobe that feels authentic to us? Instead of buying more, what if we chose to buy better?

Shifting away from fast fashion doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity or individuality. In fact, it can be an opportunity to embrace those things more fully. By investing in pieces that are thoughtfully designed and made to last, we can build wardrobes that not only serve us well but also align with our values.

This is just the beginning of the conversation. In part two, I’ll explore some of the alternatives to fast fashion—brands and practices that prioritize quality, sustainability, and ethical production. Because the clothes we wear should do more than just look good in the moment—they should add meaning and value to our lives, for the long run. Stay tuned.