I have started using ebay and searching for vintage for the first time since i was a teen (did the boho indie thing then). I feel that we live in a glut of over consumption which jars pathetically with our apparent concern about the environment and ethics.
I am so tired of online shopping for new clothes, not to mention the poor quality and bizarre sizing of new products. I am more likely to get measurements for the garment on ebay than even the most expensive corporate store, where many cant even be bothered to show their products on a model - or else the model is pictured making contorted, ludicrous poses, often stretching out the hem of a jumper so that i cant see what it would look like straight on.
Just been looking at a viscose skirt on Fat Face. It is thin, unlined and they want £46 for the damn thing, masquerading as a 'winter' skirt (lol till i die!), it is no more suited to winter than a used JCloth.
Also tired of holes forming in new cashmere, from Brora, White Co and so on. If i aim cheaper (uniqlo) i get worse. I have pretty much no remaining trust for what im being sold, i think we are regarded with contempt by brands, and this piss taking has been going on for too long.
This week i managed to find an unworn house of bruar tweed coat for a third of it's new price. Someone didnt suit it and sold it on, luckily for me!
Also found a pure wool Hobbs midi skirt, a pure velvet scarf and a silk velvet jacket.
Sadly charity shops local to me are a dire reflection of the fast-food-clothes culture that seems to have taken over the nearest town. There's not much to choose from so am forced to shop online, and the physical non-charity stores are even worse.
Int he past 20 year, literally everything is aimed at the lowest common denominator: churning out utter shite for fast profit. Ive watched thread after thread on MN over the past decade with people desperate to pay more for better quality, and it rarely exists at any price point.
Finding decent used goods does slow you down somewhat, and results in a more considered attitude towards spending.
I also hate how many higher priced stores (Toast, etc) make a HUGE thing about make do and mend, but let's please be honest, if they really believed in that or truly championed it, they would go out of business. I can assure you these stores do NOT want you to mend your clothes or recycle. They want you salivating over every new stock update, and their primary and sole focus is to encourage you to spend a great deal of money - utilising social media and clever artisanal lifestyle marketing to create the addiction.
Im done with them.