We’ve all done it.

Late-night scroll, one-click checkout, $8 top that “might be cute.”

It ships in 2 days. It rips in 2 washes. And it ends up in the donation pile — or the trash.

Sounds familiar?

That’s fast fashion.

And behind the trendy pieces and “everything must go” sales is a massive system that’s burning through resources, people, and the planet — just to get you that $5 tee.

This article isn’t here to guilt-trip you.

It’s here to show you what’s really going on — and how to shop smarter without giving up your style.

What even is fast fashion?

Fast fashion = mass-produced clothing made fast, cheap, and in huge volumes.

The goal?

Pump out trend-based pieces that look good on Instagram but aren’t built to last.

It’s fashion as fast food: flashy, addictive, and not great for your long-term health — or the environment.

You know it when you see it:

• Prices too low to make sense

• Weekly “new arrivals”

• Low-quality fabric and stitching

• Pieces that fall apart after 3 wears

• Pressure to always buy more

So what’s the real cost?

It’s not just your wallet that takes a hit. The hidden price is way bigger.

1. 

Environmental damage

• Over 100 billion garments are made annually — most end up in landfills

• It takes ~2,000 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans

• Synthetic fabrics (like polyester) shed microplastics into oceans with every wash

• Clothing waste is now the fastest-growing category of landfill waste in the U.S.

And yes, that $9 crop top is part of it.

2. Unethical labor

Someone, somewhere, made your clothes.

And often? They were underpaid, overworked, and operating in dangerous conditions.

Fast fashion thrives on:

• Low wages (think $2/hour or less)

• Unsafe factories

• Zero labor protection

• Child labor in some supply chains

If the price feels “too good to be true,” it usually means someone else is paying the price.

3. 

Disposable mindset

Fast fashion trains us to think clothes aren’t worth caring for.

“Why fix it if it only cost $6?” becomes the norm.

That’s how closets get crowded with things we don’t wear — and landfills get filled with things that shouldn’t be there.

Okay… so what’s the alternative?

You don’t have to stop buying clothes.

You just have to buy better.

Here’s how to break up with fast fashion (without going full eco monk):

Smarter moves you can make today

1. 

Buy secondhand first

Platforms like The Sequel give you access to high-quality pre-owned pieces at prices that compete with fast fashion — without the baggage.

2. 

Check the label

Look for cotton, linen, wool, denim. Avoid plastic-heavy blends.

If you’re sweating in it before you leave the house, that’s a sign.

3. 

Think cost per wear

That $12 dress you wore once = $12 per wear.

The $42 jacket you wear 20 times = $2.10 per wear.

Real style isn’t about price tags. It’s about longevity.

4. 

Fix what you love

A popped button or loose hem isn’t the end. Repairing = rebellion.

5. 

Buy less, wear more

Instead of 8 “meh” shirts — grab 3 you actually love.

Rotation > accumulation.

Why The Sequel was built for this moment

We’re not just a resale shop — we’re part of the resistance.

Every time you shop secondhand, you:

• Keep clothes in circulation

• Save resources

• Avoid feeding the fast fashion machine

• Get cooler pieces with way more character

The best part? You don’t need to compromise on your look.

You just need to get a little smarter with how (and where) you shop.

FAQ

Is fast fashion always bad? What if I can’t afford expensive brands?

That’s a fair question — and no, this isn’t about shaming budget shopping. The problem with fast fashion isn’t that it’s cheap — it’s that it’s disposable. But smart shopping can also be affordable.

At The Sequel, you’ll find brands (even designer ones) at better-than-retail prices — because someone else already paid full price. Secondhand gives you access to quality for less, without the ethical and environmental baggage.

How do I tell if a store is a fast fashion brand?

There are red flags:

• They drop hundreds of new items every week

• Prices seem impossibly low

• Fabric blends are mostly polyester, nylon, or acrylic

• There’s little to no info about how or where items are made

• “Final sale” everywhere, poor sizing, and no transparency
  If you see all of the above — you’re likely in fast fashion territory.

What’s the environmental impact of shopping secondhand instead?

It’s massive. Buying secondhand reduces demand for new clothing production, which in turn saves water, energy, and prevents textile waste.

Some stats:

• Buying one used item instead of new reduces its carbon footprint by 82%

• Extending a garment’s life by just 9 extra months reduces its environmental impact by up to 30%

• Over 85% of clothes in the U.S. end up in landfills — secondhand helps stop that cycle

I like trendy clothes. Can I still shop secondhand and be fashionable?

Absolutely. Trends always circle back. At The Sequel, we curate items based on both timeless style and what’s making a comeback (hello, Y2K, utility vests, and platform boots).

Plus, buying secondhand means you’re more likely to find something unique — not what everyone else just bought from the same online ad.

Isn’t buying secondhand just… someone’s old stuff?

Technically? Sure. But think about it like this:

• Pre-owned doesn’t mean worn out. We inspect everything.

• You get access to higher-quality brands that age well

• You avoid the “I saw 5 people in the same dress” moment
  And let’s be honest — if Beyoncé wore a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier, and you wear a $28 Calvin Klein from The Sequel, you’re both doing it right.