How to Quit Fast Fashion, According to Aja Barber - Vogue

On the other hand, for those with the financial means to over-consume clothing, how do we begin to undo that impulse to shop? That dopamine hit, that craving to feel better by owning something new?

The first thing I’d say is, don’t beat yourself up, because it’s hard. From the minute we are born, we’re trained to be consumers. That’s the society we live in. I would also say if you’re thinking about quitting some of these cycles, just take a break. Stop allowing yourself to go into the stores that always get you—try it for two weeks, test it out. Give yourself a time when you can say, “I’m not going to go into these stores.” Unsubscribe from all the email lists, take all the apps off of your phone. See what happens.

Finally, track your purchases, track your spending, and also make note of what feelings pushed you to consume when you do spend. Really self-interrogate what’s going on there, because when you do, you might find that maybe you’re not enjoying all of this as much as society tells you you should enjoy it. Maybe this isn’t for you.

I really appreciated the candid nature of the book and how often you share your own failings and flawed shopping habits. You hold yourself accountable, and it adds a beautiful humility to the book.

I never want to sit from a perch of judgment, saying, “I buy these brands and that’s why I’m better than you,” because, one, that’s not true: I still wear my fast fashion. And, two, nobody really likes that person. I want to connect with people, and if you’re going to connect with people, you have to meet them where they’re at. You have to. Oftentimes the barrier for entry for the person who doesn’t feel inside the fashion industry is very high. We are trying to create movements that we want everyone to join.

When digging into your book, it’s clear that the issues facing fast fashion are so deeply entrenched in the industry and in our culture itself. I find myself at times wanting to throw up my hands and say it’s too much, it’s too late, maybe it can’t be fixed. I feel like I understand the problem, but so much so that any action feels inconsequential. What advice would you give to combatting the malaise of personal insignificance?

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How to Quit Fast Fashion, According to Aja Barber - Vogue
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