She Strengthens

The Dark Side of Discount Shopping

Growing up, I was taught that scoring a good deal was the ultimate thrill. My mom, a self-proclaimed bargain hunter, would drag my sister and me to outlet stores every Saturday. At first, it was a chore, but as we entered our teenage years, the thrill of the hunt became addictive. Finding designer brands at a fraction of the cost was like winning a prize. This mindset stuck with me, and as I grew older, it evolved into a quest for affordability. If it wasn’t on sale or from a fast-fashion outlet, I wouldn’t consider buying it.

The Wake-Up Call

But everything changed when I watched a documentary that exposed the harsh realities of the fast-fashion industry. The film, The True Cost, streaming on Netflix, opened my eyes to the devastating consequences of my shopping habits. I realized that my pursuit of cheap fashion was not only wasteful but also harmful to the environment and exploitative towards workers.

The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion

Buying fast fashion might seem like a bargain, but it’s a waste of your hard-earned money. Those low prices encourage us to buy more, leading to unnecessary purchases that often end up in landfills. The average American household owes $7,400 in credit card debt, largely due to clothing purchases.

The fast-fashion industry also has a devastating impact on the environment. Cotton farming, which starts the supply chain, pollutes air and water supplies, destroys crop outputs, and harms farmers’ livelihoods. The production process also generates massive amounts of non-biodegradable textile waste, with over 11 million tons ending up in landfills in the U.S. alone.

Perhaps most disturbingly, fast fashion exploits laborers, mostly women, in developing countries. They earn as little as $2 or $3 per day, working in unsafe conditions, and are often met with violence when they attempt to unionize for basic rights.

A Change of Heart

Watching The True Cost was a turning point for me. I realized that my fast-fashion habit was not only harming the environment but also disenfranchising women and people of color. The true cost of my bargain hunting was much higher than I had ever imagined. I emptied my online shopping cart, closed the website tabs, and haven’t looked back since.

A Call to Action

If you’re like me, and fast fashion has been a reliable friend, it’s time to rethink your shopping habits. The True Cost is a valuable 90-minute investment that will make you question the real price of those $10 flats or $20 dresses. It’s time to consider the impact of our purchases and make conscious choices about the clothes we wear.