Is it wrong for me to buy cheap clothes?

[EleanorReally]

www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/22/cost-cheap-fast-fashion-workers-planet

oh dear,
anyone else shop at everything five pounds?
I bought a fab Cotton dress recently.
Was I wrong?

I've got loads from there. All brilliant. Can't afford to really spend money on clothes for myself so usually shop in charity shops. Everything 5 pounds is my go to place when I feel I want a treat of buying a "new" thing

I am like you Madmilk, charity shops, sales, and above website for a treat

It's not great, it can't be particularly ethical to be able to sell at that price but at least you're thinking about it rather than just being a mindless consumer.

I'm a proud charity shopper too, I love the challenge especially if I'm looking for something in particular - I once found the most perfect cardigan that could only have been worn once, if that, as it was in such good nick. Cheap and good for the planet, what's not to love?

I’d rather buy second hand than buy cheap crap from primark. Absolutely loathe that shop, nothing lasts at all. It doesn’t wash well and ends up torn and misshapen in no time at all.

I thought Everything 5 pounds sold clothes from various more expensive shops from previous seasons that hadn't sold?

Which is better than buying the very very cheap clothes that are poor quality and look like a rag after one or two washes so people throw them away because they were so cheap?

I don't use charity shops because the chances of finding something that fits, I like and need is so close to zero that it's really not worth the effort, but I do try to buy the best quality I can afford and do wear most things that I buy for years so far from disposable fashion.

I thought Everything 5 pounds sold clothes from various more expensive shops from previous seasons that hadn't sold?

Their "About Us" section says: "We have built excellent relationships with manufacturers worldwide who are able to offer us with high street stock at a reasonable price" which suggests sweatshops to me. Happy to be corrected if that's wrong though.

I think some of the expensive brands can be as unethical as some of the cheaper brands. The only way to be sure is to check all of the buying and manufacturing policies.

Just because something is low in cost does not mean it is 'throwaway fashion' because it isn't if you don't throw it away. I think it is unfair to be judgemental of other people's clothes brands when cost might be a huge factor for them due to their income. The key thing IMO is not to overbuy and recycle what is not used.

Charity shops and eBay are the only way I can shop guilt-free. Are you wrong? I don't know - do you feel you are wrong? I do, if I cannot hand on heart, say that I know that the people that made the clothes were treated fairly. I never can say that unless it's ethically and environmentally sound which comes with a price-tag.

Well done for at least giving it a thought OP.

I don't think it's necessarily wrong if you're putting thought into what you're buying and will get regular use out of it.

I have a 20 year old hoodie which is still going strong, but I've bought and given away things that are barely worn because its not my colour/fit/ doesn't match etc. I try to be more critical about purchasing no matter if new or second hand - will it actually be used, do I really need it, will it last or will it fall apart after one wash?