What do you think about high street brands and fast fashion?

High Street Brands: Every Shopper's Dream?

As I sit here, occasional sips from my steaming cup of coffee prove to be the perfect antidote to a chilly Sydney morning. Meanwhile, my Golden Retriever, Murphy, is making the perfect coordinated effort to distract me from my work. I've always loved dogs, you see, but Murphy has a way of enhancing my happiness quotient by a solid 50% or more every single day. He seems to quizzically observe me as I type away, perhaps curious about what’s so intriguing on this flat screen that keeps me busy. And if you're wondering, today's topic isn't about him—it's about high street brands and fast fashion.

If you're someone who likes to dress impressively and make heads turn as you walk into a room, you've undoubtedly heard of—and shopped from—high street brands. Zara, H&M, Topshop, and the likes; aren't these names the stuff of our fashion dreams? High street brands hit the sweet spot between luxury labels (that I honestly find to be overpriced and inaccessible), and low-end brands (that, unfortunately, compromise on quality and design).

Finding Your Groove with Fast Fashion

Let's now turn our attention to the polarizing world of fast fashion. Fast fashion is the McDonald’s of our wardrobes—quick, cheap, tastes good for a moment, but filled with guilt. I must admit, I've run into stores and made impulsive purchases, especially when I see those sale signs brightly shining through the shop windows. The allure of getting an item that's in vogue at an affordable price is unparalleled. However, is this short-term gain paving the way for long-term pains?

I remember this one day, or rather night. I was out with some friends, and we decided to go on a spontaneous night shopping spree. Laden with bags from various fast-fashion outlets, feeling like a million bucks and thinking about our amazing bargains, we didn't really think about the potential downsides of our purchases. Fast forward six months, those “steals” weren't really holding up. Buttons fell off or the fabric got worn out. Indeed, the cost per wear of these fast-fashion clothing items, was proving to be more expensive than we’d initially thought.

Unravelling the Threads of Sustainability

Now, let’s talk about sustainability. It's the buzzword today, and for a good reason. As I watch Murphy peacefully sleeping, looking as innocent as a dog heaven, I can't help but ponder about the kind of world we're leaving for future generations. Non-sustainable practices, such as those adopted by fast fashion giants, have heralded large scale environmental degradation. Certainly, it's time we drive change. It’s not that we have to stop buying clothes, but maybe we need to start making conscious choices. Choose brands that focus on sustainable practices, go for quality over quantity, check the fabric and, if possible, ask #WhoMadeMyClothes?

In fact, going vintage is a fantastic option. Pieces from bygone eras often have exceptional quality. Mixing and matching them with modern pieces creates an eclectic look that’s both trendy and unique. Additionally, shopping vintage means giving a second life to a piece of clothing and contributing to the reduction of the fashion industry’s environmental footprint. Certainly, that’s a win-win situation.

Quality Over Quantity: The Modern Mantra

Speaking of conscious choices, let's delve into the quality over quantity debate. Sure, it feels fantastic to walk out of a store with ten items rather than two. But are we really making the most out of the clothes we buy? I know I'm guilty of having a closet filled with pieces worn only once or twice. Heck, there are even items with the price tag still on!

So maybe it's time to pause, reassess and plan. We need to shop less, choose wisely, and opt for versatile pieces that we can style in multiple ways. Investing in high-quality basic items offers us a seamless transition from office wear to evening wear. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should entirely abandon the idea of jumping onto trends or only purchasing expensive clothes. Just make sure those trends and cheaper items are something that aligns with your style, something that you’d value and use long term. And in the long run, this is a far more satisfying, economical, and sustainable way to build a wardrobe, if you ask me.

So, where do we stand regarding high street brands and fast fashion? I find high street brands to deliver a commendable combo of style, quality, and affordability. As for fast fashion, maybe we can step back a bit. It doesn't mean completely avoiding it at all costs, but perhaps reducing our intake, much like we'd cut back on junk food. Balance, as they say, is the key to everything—even in fashion.