Fast Fashion - Behind the Seams

Why That £5 Top Might Be Too Expensive After All

Let’s be honest—we’ve all done it.

Scrolling through an online store at midnight, tempted by a trendy top that costs less than a coffee. It lands on your doorstep two days later, you wear it once, and then… it vanishes into the depths of your wardrobe.

That, my friend, is fast fashion in action.

And while it feels like a win at first, the reality behind those cheap clothes isn’t quite as cute.

So, What Is Fast Fashion Anyway?

Fast fashion is basically the fashion industry's version of fast food. It’s quick, cheap, and super convenient—but it’s not always great for you (or the planet).

Big brands churn out new styles every single week, copying runway looks and turning them into budget-friendly versions in record time. The result? Constant newness, overflowing closets, and a cycle that’s tough to break.

Why We’re All Hooked

Fast fashion makes it way too easy to keep up with trends. It’s affordable, it's everywhere, and it gives us that instant hit of “new outfit” joy. And with social media feeding us a daily diet of #OOTDs and hauls, it’s no surprise we feel the pressure to keep refreshing our look.

But here's the catch…

The Environment Pays the Price

• Making just one cotton t-shirt can use up 2,700 litres of water. That’s enough for one person to drink for over two years!

• Many fast fashion items are made with synthetic fabrics like polyester, which are basically plastic—and yep, they shed microplastics into our oceans every time we wash them.

• And where do all those “impulse buys” go when we’re over them? Landfills. Lots of them.

People Are Paying, Too

• Most fast fashion is made in factories overseas where workers are paid very little and work in pretty awful conditions.

• Remember the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013? Over 1,100 garment workers died when a factory building collapsed. It was a major wake-up call—but sadly, things haven’t changed much.

We End Up Losing Out

• Cheap clothes don’t last. Buttons fall off, seams rip, and before you know it, you’re buying another version of the same thing.

• The constant pressure to buy more, wear it once, and toss it? Exhausting. And expensive over time.

  
  
  
  

The good news? You don’t have to give up fashion to make better choices. Here are a few easy ways to step off the fast fashion treadmill:

Buy Less, Wear More

Before hitting “add to cart,” ask: Do I really love this? Will I wear it at least 30 times? If the answer’s no, maybe skip it.

Thrift It or Swap It

Charity shops, vintage markets, apps like Vinted or Depop - they’re goldmines for pre-loved gems. Plus, you’ll often find cooler, more unique stuff.

Choose Better Brands

Look out for companies that pay fair wages and use sustainable materials. On that note, I recently heard about this really great brand called Wet Pocket and you should totally check them out.

Repair and Rewear

Sew on that button. Patch that hole. Or just wear your clothes with pride - even if you’ve posted them on Instagram before. (Shocking, I know.)

The Bottom Line

Fashion should be fun—but it shouldn’t come at the cost of people or the planet.

Fast fashion might feel like a bargain, but when you look at the bigger picture, it’s not such a great deal after all.

So next time you’re tempted by that £5 top, take a breath. Ask a few questions. Maybe choose something that tells a better story? Because style isn’t about buying more. It’s about wearing what you love—and loving what you wear.

Have you started slowing down your shopping habits? Got any great secondhand finds lately? Drop a comment or let’s chat!