- Published: November 14, 2021
- Updated: November 14, 2021
- University / College: Western University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 10
In the introduction of “ Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion,” Elizabeth L. Cline remembers purchasing “ seven pairs of $7 shoes” at Kmart. Lamentation follows and soon thereafter, a wardrobe inventory or stock. When Cline Elizabeth cleans out her cabinet or closet she notices, among other things, sixty one tops, sixty T-shirts, fifteen cardigans plus hooded sweatshirts, twenty one skirts and twenty pairs of shoes, most of which Elizabeth never wore.
An earlier quote from ex-Vogue editor Vreeland Diana comes to reflection: “ Give ’em what they never knew they wanted.” Fast-fashion vendors like Topshop, Forever 21, and H&M are good at hawking to create impulse buying or want; they do this by offering products at reduced prices or costs. Elizabeth, who accepts to be termed a “ reformed fast-fashion junkie,” highlights that “ because of low prices, chasing trends is now a mass activity, accessible to anyone with a few bucks to spare.” Products’ quality is disregarded, since all that is necessary is having clothes, which can last on “ until the next trend comes along.”
The extravagance promoted by purchasing cheap as well as chasing the most current trend is apparent, though the hidden prices are even more deceptive. Cline Elizabeth argues that “ disposable clothing” is environmental unfriendly or environmental damaging, the economy, as well as people’s souls, and Elizabeth Cline presents a sobering and dense skein of information to support her argument. Currently, United States of America makes only 2% of the clothing her consumers purchase, in comparison with about 50% in the year 1990; in the year 2010, Goodwill sold one hundred and sixty three million pounds of second hand household items and clothing. Cline Elizabeth travel to Guangdong Province within China, an area crowded with textile companies, and notes “ The air pollution was so thick I couldn’t photograph anything a quarter-mile off the highway — it was lost in the smog.”
One remedy to this high-speed fashion Armageddon may be “ slow fashion” –a notion comparable to “ slow food,” which is itself getting trend-worth status. A rash of “ ethical fashion” books and blogs exist on the subject or topic-“ To Die For” of Lucy Siegle comes to mind or reflection, and the popularity of the movement is increasing that even the world clothing giants or huge companies have glommed on. For instance, H&M currently has a “ Conscious Collection,” or endless flow; a line of organic fashions of cotton designed or developed to attract the conscientious customer.
Cline Elizabeth adheres and supports the “ slow” hymn-“ make, alter and mend”-advising the society to purchase recycled, locally and organic produced clothing. Cline is a persuasive advocate when she writes, “ sewing gives back a feeling of agency and self-sufficiency,” she is tempted to force out the Singer from the basement. Nonetheless, she could have probed even further to know why many consumers, Cline inclusive, become attracted on fast style within the last decade. What role does social media play by promoting relentless image consciousness or awareness play within the customers’ shopping alternatives? Is customers’ need for cheap clothing suggestive of the malaise? Do customers trust that through continually possessing and displaying what they wear, they are creating any identity, and/or self or individual external brand? What is truly happening within the disturbing “ haul” videos, where shoppers or customers post reviews of purchases they make on You Tube? When Elizabeth writes, “ people crave connections to their stuff,” she prompts these questions and many others.