Shoppers want budget clothes
By Harriet Sinclair, Editor at LinkedIn News
Here, I fixed the title for you.
I deeply, deeply dislike the phrasing of this headline. Even more so, I dislike the tone of the conversations it has kicked up.
The blurb goes on to acknowledge the financial strain shoppers are experiencing, but it still puts the onus of sustainability on the consumer. The tone of the conversation is very much “are people willing to pay more to do good in the world?”
This kind of mindset is incredible, diminishing for those in positions where sustainable fashion is just not obtainable. In a society that puts as much emphasis on how you present yourself as ours, not everyone can take the social, emotional, and ofttimes financial blows of not having “nice” clothing. Clothing is very much a part of our social presentation—it tells people whether or not they should respect us, even before we open our mouths.
So, the supposition that people can go without clothing—or that they should spend countless hours hunting through thrift shops, garage sales, clothing swaps, and secondhand venues in the hopes of finding something that conveys the right message AND fits their bodies—just ain’t it.
There are many reasons someone might go with fast fashion over sustainable brands, and we all know what groups are the most trapped in these “cheap, harmful” options. This is an issue that could be discussed in tones that break down *why* #sustainability is so expensive. We could explore solutions to these issues, while also talking about #gendergap, #wagegap, disproportion of wealth to black and brown folks, and how the fashion industry likes to pretend it is size #inclusive, but Shein has a whole section of the website dedicated to 6XL+ and size US24-34.
Now, I’m not saying Shein is the answer. #humanrights trump social pressures every single day. But this conversation is shaping up to be just another sphere of the internet where people with money, time, and ability are stepping up on pedestals and anyone struggling just to be seen gets mocked or shamed.
Let’s do better. 🙌🏿