4 ms·

Truely yes, but I don't think it helps any more. The problem with most of the fast fashion is that the clothes don't last very long, at only a handful of uses,

Truely yes, but I don't think it helps any more. The problem with most of the fast fashion is that the clothes don't last very long, at only a handful of uses, so its only cheaper if you need lots of different outfits. If you are hanging on by a thread, then you need cheap outfits that last for as long as possible.

the-grump 2y ago
This claim is often repeated, but what I buy from H&M lasts years and years.
- jshorty 2y ago
  Are you using them regularly in physical labor though?
  - peebeebee 2y ago
    I must say: things from H&M hm have regularly been holding up longer than other way more expensive brands. Sometimes they don’t really fit right anymore, but no holes or stitches that come loose.
- usrusr 2y ago
  So many years in my case that I'm really not sure that the counter would still hold.
- ZeroGravitas 2y ago
  Yep, and "fast fashion" originally meant quickly copying catwalk trends and getting them to consumers quickly. It's now somehow morphed into meaning clothes that are quickly thrown out but without anyone actually demonstrating that is actually happening.
  - bennyhill 2y ago
    > quickly copying catwalk trends and getting them to consumers quickly That's not much morphing, the goal is to have clothes that are quickly obsoleted for people who can now immediately keep up with the trends. Those people can be a minority of their customers but buy far more by volume, don't wear clothes until they wear out, and need to dispose of out-of-date clothes. If they push enough consumers to fast fashion then there is a vast excess of used clothes that need to be thrown out.
- padjo 2y ago
  What about Primark?
- dan-robertson 2y ago
  The claim about fast fashion not lasting long is not necessarily about quality or durability. It’s more that the business model is about chasing short-lived trends such that the clothes are thrown out by stores or consumers after a short time because the trends they were following passed.
giantg2 2y ago
Depends on what they are. I don't buy most fashion things. Sure, I have a few nicer pieces of clothes for special events where I'm expected to dress up. But most of my stuff is budget/practical and lasts a long time. I have a winter coat over 20 years old and even my good suit is over 12 years old (re-tailored). Shoes tend to wear out the fastest since worn out insoles can lead to medical issues rather quickly. However, some shoes can be extended with replacement insoles.
- vasco 2y ago
  Shoes last a long time, you can replace insoles.
  - oyashirochama 2y ago
    You can't really replace outsoles though, and those also wear out fairly fast
    - AlecSchueler 2y ago
      Yes you can, any cobbler should be able to do this. Personally I do it preemtively and have an extra sole fitted to the outside when I buy new shoes.
      - TeMPOraL 2y ago
        Except this usually costs around as much as a new pair. The flip side of economies of scale is that repair becomes uneconomical.
        portaouflop 2y ago
        I often hear this argument but from my personal experience it is wrong. Doing a full repair of shoes cost me like 20-40€ (soles, insides, small holes) and lasts for 3+ years. The problem is buying garbage in the first place.
taskforcegemini 2y ago
and I keep wearing my clothes despite the many holes they have, as long as no private bits poke out. I got laughed at by a female friend for it, so I pointed out her jeans have holes as a design choice. She did acknowledge the irony in that.
- AlecSchueler 2y ago
  Is there a gender based point being made here? It feels like the only reason to mention she was a woman.
  - bboygravity 2y ago
    Yes. Females buy more clothes and the cultural stereotype is that they have a better clothing taste then men generally. Also, let people tell stories however they feel like they want to tell them.
    - AlecSchueler 2y ago
      Thanks, that makes sense. It was indeed a point playing with a gender stereotype. I wonder if the woman GP was friends with would be accepted by society so readily if she put in so little effort to her clothes and appearance as he did. I doubt it, and that makes the remark a little bit uncomfortable to read honestly. I'm not sure what your last remark is meant to imply but it feels quite rude. It's normal to be curious and ask people to expand on or clarify what they're saying, especially on a site where the main posting guidline is "intellectual curiosity." I don't appreciate your directive in this case, as I don't feel I was blocking anyone from sharing their story with the question I asked. But, if we're being prescriptive, the term "women" is generally more accepted when talking about humans. "Females" is regarded by many as dehumanising.
      - portaouflop 2y ago
        > I wonder if the woman GP was friends with would be accepted by society so readily I don’t think „society“ accepts an adult man who is dressed in rags either. At best people will think you’re some kind of hippie, at worst actively avoid you. In m experience does not apply if you are a student or below 30.

the-grump 2y ago

This claim is often repeated, but what I buy from H&M lasts years and years.

jshorty 2y ago
Are you using them regularly in physical labor though?
- peebeebee 2y ago
  I must say: things from H&M hm have regularly been holding up longer than other way more expensive brands. Sometimes they don’t really fit right anymore, but no holes or stitches that come loose.
usrusr 2y ago
So many years in my case that I'm really not sure that the counter would still hold.
ZeroGravitas 2y ago
Yep, and "fast fashion" originally meant quickly copying catwalk trends and getting them to consumers quickly. It's now somehow morphed into meaning clothes that are quickly thrown out but without anyone actually demonstrating that is actually happening.
- bennyhill 2y ago
  > quickly copying catwalk trends and getting them to consumers quickly That's not much morphing, the goal is to have clothes that are quickly obsoleted for people who can now immediately keep up with the trends. Those people can be a minority of their customers but buy far more by volume, don't wear clothes until they wear out, and need to dispose of out-of-date clothes. If they push enough consumers to fast fashion then there is a vast excess of used clothes that need to be thrown out.
padjo 2y ago
What about Primark?
dan-robertson 2y ago
The claim about fast fashion not lasting long is not necessarily about quality or durability. It’s more that the business model is about chasing short-lived trends such that the clothes are thrown out by stores or consumers after a short time because the trends they were following passed.

giantg2 2y ago

Depends on what they are. I don't buy most fashion things. Sure, I have a few nicer pieces of clothes for special events where I'm expected to dress up. But most of my stuff is budget/practical and lasts a long time. I have a winter coat over 20 years old and even my good suit is over 12 years old (re-tailored). Shoes tend to wear out the fastest since worn out insoles can lead to medical issues rather quickly. However, some shoes can be extended with replacement insoles.

vasco 2y ago
Shoes last a long time, you can replace insoles.
- oyashirochama 2y ago
  You can't really replace outsoles though, and those also wear out fairly fast
  - AlecSchueler 2y ago
    Yes you can, any cobbler should be able to do this. Personally I do it preemtively and have an extra sole fitted to the outside when I buy new shoes.
    - TeMPOraL 2y ago
      Except this usually costs around as much as a new pair. The flip side of economies of scale is that repair becomes uneconomical.
      - portaouflop 2y ago
        I often hear this argument but from my personal experience it is wrong. Doing a full repair of shoes cost me like 20-40€ (soles, insides, small holes) and lasts for 3+ years. The problem is buying garbage in the first place.

taskforcegemini 2y ago

and I keep wearing my clothes despite the many holes they have, as long as no private bits poke out. I got laughed at by a female friend for it, so I pointed out her jeans have holes as a design choice. She did acknowledge the irony in that.

AlecSchueler 2y ago
Is there a gender based point being made here? It feels like the only reason to mention she was a woman.
- bboygravity 2y ago
  Yes. Females buy more clothes and the cultural stereotype is that they have a better clothing taste then men generally. Also, let people tell stories however they feel like they want to tell them.
  - AlecSchueler 2y ago
    Thanks, that makes sense. It was indeed a point playing with a gender stereotype. I wonder if the woman GP was friends with would be accepted by society so readily if she put in so little effort to her clothes and appearance as he did. I doubt it, and that makes the remark a little bit uncomfortable to read honestly. I'm not sure what your last remark is meant to imply but it feels quite rude. It's normal to be curious and ask people to expand on or clarify what they're saying, especially on a site where the main posting guidline is "intellectual curiosity." I don't appreciate your directive in this case, as I don't feel I was blocking anyone from sharing their story with the question I asked. But, if we're being prescriptive, the term "women" is generally more accepted when talking about humans. "Females" is regarded by many as dehumanising.
    - portaouflop 2y ago
      > I wonder if the woman GP was friends with would be accepted by society so readily I don’t think „society“ accepts an adult man who is dressed in rags either. At best people will think you’re some kind of hippie, at worst actively avoid you. In m experience does not apply if you are a student or below 30.