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Transitioning to slow fashion

I’m currently transitioning into the slow fashion world, for the sake of our planet and my wallet. The first step was bound to be painful, but it had to be done…. I had to look up all the brands currently hanging in my closet and ditch any that were “fast fashion” offenders.

Scared and prepared for heartbreak… I started researching the brands in my wardrobe to figure out which ones to avoid. Here are Five Fast Fashion brands that I had hanging in my closet.

1. Zara

While I haven’t purchased much from Zara, the guilt from two purchases is what inspired this switch to slow fashion. In 2010 I got a lace skirt from the Zara in Rome. This past October I got the puffy headband that was copying Prada; and finally I got the military style boots that again… was copying Prada.

Zara headband

Once the boots arrived, I realized I had let myself be influenced into buying them. That’s why unfollowing influencers who promote fast fashion is step #2 to transitioning to slow fashion.

2. Gap

This one hurt. Gap is where I shopped for most of my work clothes. I work in a messy, creative space. So my clothes need to be washable and able to get dirty. Gap also has great basic pieces that always went well with each other. It makes 6am outfit decisions SO much easier.

I’m currently still looking for new places to get work clothes… Comment below if you can recommend any brands!

3. Urban Outfitters

This one also hurt. A lot. I’ve been enjoying cash back shopping at Urban Outfitters through swagbucks and befrugal for a few years now. UO is also one of the first brands that posted my images on their site and social media accounts. I have history with them!

Me on Urban Outfitter’s website in 2012 or 2013

They currently carry some of my favorite brands (like For Love and Lemons) and always have the best Christmas gifts. But my research kept repeating the same information: Urban Outfitters is one of the worst fast fashion offenders.

For Love and Lemons sweater I bought from Urban Outfitters

4. Victoria’s Secret

Arggg! I’ve been getting my underwear from VS ever since I started buying my own underwear! I was a cult follower of the brand during Tumblr’s prime and still enjoy following the angels on instagram. But there are so many negative reports against them (child labor reports was enough for me).

I’m especially upset about this one (although I really should’ve seen this one coming) because they’ve recently collaborated with two brands I love! For Love and Lemons and Same Swim. I even wrote a post about the FLL x VS collaboration before writing this post. Whoops. *Update 1/30* FLL claims that the FLL for VS collections are made in the FLL factories… not the VS factories.

From my blog post: Victoria’s Secret’s New Marketing Strategy: FLL x VS

If anyone knows the next best place to get every day bras and underwear… comment below! 😂

5. Vans

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Another nostalgia classic! Vans have been in my closet since I could walk, but it’s reported that they don’t pay their labor workers enough and they use animal products like leather and wool. My current Vans (and other shoes for that matter) also came from Urban Outfitters. So that’s a double offense for me.

Three Brands I’ve avoided since college: Forever 21, Nasty Gal, and H&M

These three brands rose in popularity while I was in High School and College. Maybe that’s why I associate them with cheap outfits for themed house parties? Whatever the reason, I’ve avoided these fast fashion brands since 2010. I wanted to include them on this list because I’ve noticed a lot of influencers promoting them. So if you’re feeling influenced to buy from them… resist!

What brands do you need to break up with?? Share them in the comments below!

xo Kk

Make the switch to slow fashion

This post is step one of the 5 baby steps to Make the switch to Slow Fashion