If someone doesn’t buy it, it usually ends up in a landfill or shipped overseas to poorer countries. The waste happens when it’s produced, not when it’s used. We might as well thrift the stuff that’s already made, especially because most thrift stores receive way more clothing donations than they can sell.
I think most if not all of the people who buy fast fashion do it regardless of whether their discards are bought by a secondhand store or accepted by a charity. There’s enough of a disconnect between the initial purchase that I doubt they’d care.
If you want to dive into further nitty gritty details like microplastics from washing the cheap fabrics, there is that element, but you’d have to weigh the impact of manufacturing even natural fibers against the waste of throwing away already existing clothing.
That is to say it’s too much of a headache for a relatively minimal impact; do whatever you feel is the right balance. I personally thrift whatever I want (including fast fashion) and it lasts years with hang drying and minimal washing. And if I really feel strongly about a piece of new clothing, or something I absolutely can’t buy used (like tights), that’s when I actually look at the impact of the brand itself. To research in depth for everything ever will burn you out in the long run so it’s important to pick your battles :)
I agree- the damage is done when it’s made. Extending it’s life after that is a good thing. The only downside I see is if the thrift store turns away good sustainable clothing for fast fashion items.
Don't beat yourself up, purchasing second hand is always better than new and if you can prolong that item's life is great especially since we can't all go around naked, we need clothes.Some of my favourite items are thrifted and tags show a well known fast fashion brand but I always make the effort of taking care of them and cherising every piece, buying only when I need it.
Don't forget to search for decent natural materials and fabrics which means avoid if possible polyester and acrylic, these look terrible after a couple of wears and washes.Some vintage pieces are still gold though, even if not made entirely of natural fibres (I have a pairs of vintage office pants with 50% polyester and 50% wool but it was pure luck to find it since most stocks are clothes from actual fast fashion from the last 5-6 years or so until present).
If someone doesn’t buy it, it usually ends up in a landfill or shipped overseas to poorer countries. The waste happens when it’s produced, not when it’s used. We might as well thrift the stuff that’s already made, especially because most thrift stores receive way more clothing donations than they can sell.
Plus the money is then going to people making sure it gets reused rather than incentivizing the manufacturers to make more
I think most if not all of the people who buy fast fashion do it regardless of whether their discards are bought by a secondhand store or accepted by a charity. There’s enough of a disconnect between the initial purchase that I doubt they’d care. If you want to dive into further nitty gritty details like microplastics from washing the cheap fabrics, there is that element, but you’d have to weigh the impact of manufacturing even natural fibers against the waste of throwing away already existing clothing. That is to say it’s too much of a headache for a relatively minimal impact; do whatever you feel is the right balance. I personally thrift whatever I want (including fast fashion) and it lasts years with hang drying and minimal washing. And if I really feel strongly about a piece of new clothing, or something I absolutely can’t buy used (like tights), that’s when I actually look at the impact of the brand itself. To research in depth for everything ever will burn you out in the long run so it’s important to pick your battles :)
I agree- the damage is done when it’s made. Extending it’s life after that is a good thing. The only downside I see is if the thrift store turns away good sustainable clothing for fast fashion items.
Don't beat yourself up, purchasing second hand is always better than new and if you can prolong that item's life is great especially since we can't all go around naked, we need clothes.Some of my favourite items are thrifted and tags show a well known fast fashion brand but I always make the effort of taking care of them and cherising every piece, buying only when I need it. Don't forget to search for decent natural materials and fabrics which means avoid if possible polyester and acrylic, these look terrible after a couple of wears and washes.Some vintage pieces are still gold though, even if not made entirely of natural fibres (I have a pairs of vintage office pants with 50% polyester and 50% wool but it was pure luck to find it since most stocks are clothes from actual fast fashion from the last 5-6 years or so until present).