Sticker shock. We've all experienced it. You pick up the cutest top at a shop, try it on, fall in love, and then you peep the price tag... And you're gagged. So then you put it back on the rack, head home, and buy a similar one off Shein. It comes in the mail, you're disappointed because it doesn't look as good as the picture, and after you wear it a few times, the darn thing rips or tears or shrinks... then you're out of your cash and you have a hole in your closet.Â
In the short term, when you don't want to splurge big on a nice outfit piece, fast fashion stores sound like a fabulous solution. The problem is right now you're trading quality for convenience. When you do that, your wardrobe has a super high turnover rate, and you end up spending way, way more money in the long run. Fast fashion brands rely on you not realizing this, and they've, essentially, been scamming you out of your hard-earned money for a "quick fix" outfit.Â
Finding out the cost per wear is easy, but you'll probably have to pull out your calculator first. Take the total price of the item, and divide it by how many times it can be worn.
Here's an example:
- A top from a fast fashion brand will cost you $20.00, but you can only wear it three times before it rips or shrinks. Divide $20.00 by 3, and you'll find that this top costs $6.67 every time you wear it.
- Let's take a look at Wrightsville Ave and the sustainable brands we carry. A top from a sustainable brand might cost $60.00, but you'll be able to wear it once a week for two years. Take $60.00 and divide it by the amount of wears (once per week for two years is 104 weeks) and you'll find the sustainable style only costs $0.57 per wear.
When you look at things this way, it becomes abundantly clear: Fast fashion is highway robbery. Simply finding the "cost per wear" is the best way to appraise the value of your clothes, and you'll be flabbergasted when you see just how much money you've been throwing away on these fast fashion pieces!
You might be asking why sustainable fashion is at a higher price point to begin with. That's because these brands invest in fair wages for their workers, ethical business practices, and give back to the community. These brands align with our own values and actually care, and that alone justifies the price point.
It bears repeating;Â fast fashion has been scamming shoppers for a long time, and are relying on you not appraising the actual value of your clothes.Â
Check out our step-by-step guide if you're ready to break up with fast fashion.Â
Looking for sustainable wardrobe pieces for you and your little ones? Take a look at our curated selection of clothing and gifts, and you're bound to find something you love!