Fast fashion?

[hihellohihello]

I've got to say I'm puzzled by the concept.

A lot of what people describe as fast fashion is just high street versions of expensive brand designs. People talk about lack of longevity in the styles but in IMO that is more due to the style bought rather than the branding.

People complain about the materials however both use manmade materials both are a mixture of more sustainably sourced and less. Green washing is present in both ends of the fashion market.

People talk about construction. But if you examine how something is made and deduced all seams seem sturdy enough and it fits you well is it really fast fashion just because it is bought from the night street?

To me fast fashion is more about how you wear it. If you wear stuff for years it is not fast fashion. Full stop. Regardless of where it came from. I've got high street and supermarket clothes I have even bought second hand I have had for years and they still look good and I will continue to wear them.

I think fast fashion needs to stop being used as a justification for a) sneering at people who spend less of individual items of clothing and b) a justification for spending ridiculous amounts of money on clothing.

Well that's my opinion. What's your's?

There seems to be so much hate on this forum for Gucci and many of the comments are clearly made by people who have never even owned or won anything from the brand

Well Gucci is priced for a certain amount of exclusivity isn't it? It's hardly an accessible brand for everyone. Should people respect brands that exclude like this?

I can respect and be in aw of great craftsmanship and art. But that would be more like looking at couture clothing. Ordinary looking clothes - no, not really especially.

Awe

@hihellohihello

There seems to be so much hate on this forum for Gucci and many of the comments are clearly made by people who have never even owned or won anything from the brand

Well Gucci is priced for a certain amount of exclusivity isn't it? It's hardly an accessible brand for everyone. Should people respect brands that exclude like this?

I can respect and be in aw of great craftsmanship and art. But that would be more like looking at couture clothing. Ordinary looking clothes - no, not really especially.

The same could be said for many brands frequently mentioned on this forum - Brora, Toast etc. They are beyond the reach of many people.

I purchase from luxury brands or buy vintage pieces because of that exclusivity and prefer to avoid high street brands that will be worn by many people. Gucci has created many wonderful unique couture pieces over the last few decades.

I purchase from luxury brands or buy vintage pieces because of that exclusivity and prefer to avoid high street brands that will be worn by many people. Gucci has created many wonderful unique couture pieces over the last few decades.

Couture aside, I don't think the general look varies that much. Vintage pieces are great for ensuring there is less likelihood of being in exactly the same outfit as someone else. Individual customisation also serves that purpose. For example, if going to a wedding wearing clothes that are a few (decades often) years old reassures me that no one will be wearing exactly the same. Jewellery and accessories also helps create individuality. And remember in some circles the latest Gucci, or Chloe or whatever will be bought by almost everyone in hat circle unless they have an agreement to discuss purchases with each other. It still can become like a uniform.

@hihellohihello

I purchase from luxury brands or buy vintage pieces because of that exclusivity and prefer to avoid high street brands that will be worn by many people. Gucci has created many wonderful unique couture pieces over the last few decades.

Couture aside, I don't think the general look varies that much. Vintage pieces are great for ensuring there is less likelihood of being in exactly the same outfit as someone else. Individual customisation also serves that purpose. For example, if going to a wedding wearing clothes that are a few (decades often) years old reassures me that no one will be wearing exactly the same. Jewellery and accessories also helps create individuality. And remember in some circles the latest Gucci, or Chloe or whatever will be bought by almost everyone in hat circle unless they have an agreement to discuss purchases with each other. It still can become like a uniform.

I can't remember ever wearing the same piece as anyone in my social circle - we all purchase from luxury brands but have very different styles so there's certainly never a 'uniform'.

I can't remember ever wearing the same piece as anyone in my social circle - we all purchase from luxury brands but have very different styles so there's certainly never a 'uniform'.

Great. However, it was discussed amongst the women interested in all things designer fashion on Sheerluxe recently.

To me fast fashion is when you go shopping without any real idea of what you want to buy or get influenced to buy something. Might not suit your figure or even your taste but you buy it because other people are. Then the next week you repeat. Buying new clothes is a hobby and you end up with more than you could possibly wear. And often you will buy cheap to sustain it. And the retailers are very happy to supply, rather than having seasons like pre 1990, frightening you into thinking if you don't buy this thing now there'll never be another chance/code. Buy it fast or it's gone.

Fast fashion to me means built in obsolescence and I think it can happen in 2 ways.

1. Trends, some of which are longer lasting than others but on the whole you can spot them, although that doesn't mean you can always avoid them on the high street.

And 2, when a garment is so badly made that it wears out sooner than it should. I think that many of us struggle to spot these built in flaws because we weren't taught to sew as our mothers and grandmothers were, which is why we ask each other which brands we trust. But that trust is always based on past experiences so it's not always a reliable guide to future performance. But that's why there are always threads asking for recommendations I think.

[quote MapleMay11]**@Sooverthemill May I ask why Gucci requires a 'heaven forbid' but Jigsaw and Primark both pass without comment?

There seems to be so much hate on this forum for Gucci and many of the comments are clearly made by people who have never even owned or won anything from the brand.[/quote]
I don't hate Gucci at all, and I've never seen any hate for it on MN. My comment was based on the idea of wearing an expensive item from Gucci once or twice and then chucking it out. Jigsaw to me to top end of high street for price and primark is somewhere I have never shopped ( never lived near one). I would love a pair of Gucci loafers or one of their bags or even anything I fancied but my budget precludes this. I buy clothing and shoes with the aim of wearing each for a minimum of 30 wears and try very hard to buy from sustainable brands ( I know this is a difficult thing to prove for brands) and buy a lot of my clothes preloved and sell on when I've made a misjudgement about how something will fit in to my lifestyle . I track my wardrobe on Stylebook and keep an eye on what I wear most often and what doesn't get worn. I have clothing bought in 2006 and still being worn. I also knit and sew.

Concerning trends I think there is a strange dichotomy. People want to be seen as 'fashionable' but at the same time want to be individual. They want to be 'cutting edge' but not so much they stick out like a sore thumb.

Thankfully, I am confident enough to just pick and wear what I like and what I think suits me. Of course this will be influenced by others, I do consume mass media. However, equally, I'm not that invested in it or seeking to emulate anyone else in particular. Not being too precious about brands or buying second hand is freeing.

I do have bug bears but they are more due to practicality and the technical qualities of clothing. Good wet weather clothing, hard wearing comfortable shoes that are smart enough to go in shops or restaurants. Handbags that hold what I need without being too heavy or uncomfortable to carry. Summer clothes that cover up enough so I don't need acres of suncream. Hats that can be discarded and stored easily in bags.