hello hello everyone!! I hope everything is great and also happy spring break to all of the students reading this :))

today we have a piece from ala on overconsumption in the fashion industry and how that impacts daily lives.

enjoy, enjoy!! - isabella m

╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Imagine going to a thrift store. Whether it be the goodwill bins, the Salvation Army, flea markets, or wherever you go to buy clothes. You sometimes find them half the price compared to shopping malls and online shops like Shein or Amazon. As you walk into the store, you are greeted by rows and rows of clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, and even little trinkets you can take home.

However, as you scour through hangers and bins, you still struggle to find something you love. You might think, “I have something similar at home, though…” yet you still end up filling your cart with outfits that resemble those already in your closet.

This scene reflects the ad created by Stylecaster, “What if we wore our overconsumption?” suggesting we look into how much clothing lives in our closet, making the ad overwhelming to watch.

The same concept applies to online shopping. Whether items are half the price or more expensive, it still counts as consumption, especially if they closely resemble what you already have.

Every day we collect shoes, every month we buy bags, and every year we feel the need to have the latest trends. It's going around in circles with no way out. 

In one scene, a woman can be seen walking by wearing four different styles and colors of sunglasses stacked on her head.

The video focuses on people who over consume items and on those who see them. One image depicts a person who is running on a treadmill, with dozens of shoes appearing from the machine, representing the many pairs of workout shoes he owns. On the other hand, we see a man wearing the same style of hats in different colors, like the first image, the hats are stacked atop his head.

Stylecaster “What if we wore our overconsumption” (2024)

The scenes highlight what we consume daily. It gives perspective to everyday life, even in mundane moments of people carrying excess items. This glorification of consumption suggests that you can never have enough. 

These patterns began in the early days of the pandemic, and according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), online shopping increased by 4%. Platforms like Amazon and Taobao became the fastest-growing online shopping sites during the digital consumption era. 

On the other hand, Shein became the top brand for fashion enthusiasts, particularly the rising “micro-influencer” who wanted to follow the trends of the year, without breaking the bank. Shein delivers, offering thousands of outfits every other week. However, fast fashion moves rapidly—trends fade in an instant, replaced by the next “aesthetic” or “core”.

While some people still love to hoard items from Shein, many are now opposed to the brand’s etiquette. According to FashionDive, a report says, “Shein pushes consumers toward overconsumption". Moreover, the report states that the Shein spokesperson said the company is already working constructively with the authorities to demonstrate its compliance with the law. 

Additionally, after watching multiple YouTube video essays about overconsumption, recycling fashion trends, and trends to landfill discussions, it made me question just how much all these items are being used.

The overconsumption of fashion items ruins the chances of individuals today to discover their true style without the constant influences of social media, influencers, and targeted shop ads, creating algorithms that do not reflect the fashion of the person scrolling.