Wow. So much here, I love this. And the couch analogy and lover comment is so brilliant - it’s funny this is where I feel envy- to express something so big with a visual so clearly. Wow
What if we exchanged the word 'fashion' here with 'smoking' or 'drugs'. In theory it's a personal thing, but in any country where people need to pay taxes to support the local health care system, nothing really is personal any more. My smoking affects not only me but the whole society. And it is in fact super dangerous for people in my closest proximity.
I guess no-buy's are a way to limit our cravings and hence do something for the greater good.
So, for me it's really not a question whether no-buy's or any other similar initiative are ok or not. For me it's a question of finding a method to quit 'smoking' that works for me and those around me. But the goal itself should not really be questioned.
Meaning, we all know how the fashion industry functions; who benefits from it and who is the victim. So, how do mend it? How do we fix it? Still cultivating our creativity. How do we still 'party' without the need for that party cigaret?
Spot on as always. I also like to include treating fashion as an art form. Did the designer create something in pursuit of beauty and meaning or simply profit?
Reading this was a breath of fresh air. Let me have my escapism and illusions! Because interestingly, when I permit myself to see fashion through the lens of fantasy and curiosity, my urge to mindlessly consume is way less.
I think it’s because when I am just buying pieces without much thought or for instant gratification or some need to keep up with the trends, it takes fashion out of the realm of fantasy and it reduces it to something that feels banal.
Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping and have my fair share of regrettable purchases 😬 But I’m more considered in my purchases than I used to be because I want my clothes to feel special in order to keep that fantasy and romance alive.
That was a fantastic read, Laura! I've unsubscribed to the "links to buy" writers, and have been focusing on the people who dress for joy, who examine why they wear what they wear, who consciously use fashion/clothing as a tool for whatever end they need, whether that's soothing, armour, confidence, whatever.
Xue's writings on this have been awesome recently - not surprised to see you linking to her! Thank you for sharing your thoughts in the ongoing discourse!
I too feel a sense of frustration at the pendulum swinging to villainize The Fashionable after coming from the other side of mindless overconsumption of trend cycles - and not just clothes, but everyone participating in ALL the trends from beauty, to clothes, to decor, to travel. Seeing influencers filling trash bags of lippies, leggings, reusable water cups - one in every color - and declaring themselves underconsumption minimalists on a no/low-buy is infuriating. If everyone always approached fashion (whatever thing gives them joy while involving financial investment and collection) with as much reverence and thoughtfulness as you do, I don't think we'd be in the hole we are currently in.
I’m curious what you mean by “those who think we can’t see they are camouflaging non-constructive anti-capitalist messaging in their anti-fashion discourse.”
In a world where shoes can cost more than a thousand dollars and landfills in poorer countries are filled with US clothing waste and anxious people are buying new clothes every week, isn’t being at least slightly against the capitalist mentality appropriate ?
Dismantling capitalism entirely is hard to fathom - but surely consumerism here is at an extreme high relative to other times historically and other places on the globe . People - mostly women ? - are consuming clothing at an astounding rate , continually adding to their wardrobes , seeking highs from shopping and new material objects in a way that doesn't feel healthy .
Don’t you think that capitalism - a system based on the drive to sell things to us - is part of the problem ?
Capitalism can be improved for sure but dismantling it for a “the grass is greener on the other side” type of system won’t fix the problem—the problem being poverty.
You are an amazing writer! I found myself nodding in aggressive agreement 😂. "The ones who follow people they are inspired by—not to become them, but to catch a mirror image of their own beauty when finding it on their own feels difficult—aren’t to blame." Wow - I felt this deeply.
Wow. So much here, I love this. And the couch analogy and lover comment is so brilliant - it’s funny this is where I feel envy- to express something so big with a visual so clearly. Wow
All credit to my dad for the metaphor. I’ve heard it since i was a kid and also find it brilliant.
Some of the most interesting and complex thinking on the topic in this space, to be sure. Always appreciate your thoughts!
🫶🏽🐬 thank you for being here
Hey why is everyone talking about Boudrillard all of a sudden? :-) serious question!
Jajajjajjj not sure but it was an assigned reading in my MFA program😆
Another well-written piece. There is always something in your articles that I say to myself "Wow, I never thought of it that way.".
I will admit to having to look up Boudrillard. I had never heard of him before.
Kathleen
❤️ thank you for reading me
What if we exchanged the word 'fashion' here with 'smoking' or 'drugs'. In theory it's a personal thing, but in any country where people need to pay taxes to support the local health care system, nothing really is personal any more. My smoking affects not only me but the whole society. And it is in fact super dangerous for people in my closest proximity.
I guess no-buy's are a way to limit our cravings and hence do something for the greater good.
So, for me it's really not a question whether no-buy's or any other similar initiative are ok or not. For me it's a question of finding a method to quit 'smoking' that works for me and those around me. But the goal itself should not really be questioned.
Meaning, we all know how the fashion industry functions; who benefits from it and who is the victim. So, how do mend it? How do we fix it? Still cultivating our creativity. How do we still 'party' without the need for that party cigaret?
Please read my piece “the dichotomy of consumption.” Linked on this piece. It will clarify some of my views re/no buys. 🫶🏽
Done and commented 🙌🏻
Spot on as always. I also like to include treating fashion as an art form. Did the designer create something in pursuit of beauty and meaning or simply profit?
Yes! Although I am still spending too much money 🤪
Likewise
Yup, I absolutely LOVED that. Thanks for making me think about my own consumption and self-flagellation.
Reading this was a breath of fresh air. Let me have my escapism and illusions! Because interestingly, when I permit myself to see fashion through the lens of fantasy and curiosity, my urge to mindlessly consume is way less.
THIS correlation is so interesting!!!!! Love and would like to hear more
I think it’s because when I am just buying pieces without much thought or for instant gratification or some need to keep up with the trends, it takes fashion out of the realm of fantasy and it reduces it to something that feels banal.
Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping and have my fair share of regrettable purchases 😬 But I’m more considered in my purchases than I used to be because I want my clothes to feel special in order to keep that fantasy and romance alive.
Thank you for such a thought provoking piece!
That was a fantastic read, Laura! I've unsubscribed to the "links to buy" writers, and have been focusing on the people who dress for joy, who examine why they wear what they wear, who consciously use fashion/clothing as a tool for whatever end they need, whether that's soothing, armour, confidence, whatever.
Xue's writings on this have been awesome recently - not surprised to see you linking to her! Thank you for sharing your thoughts in the ongoing discourse!
I too feel a sense of frustration at the pendulum swinging to villainize The Fashionable after coming from the other side of mindless overconsumption of trend cycles - and not just clothes, but everyone participating in ALL the trends from beauty, to clothes, to decor, to travel. Seeing influencers filling trash bags of lippies, leggings, reusable water cups - one in every color - and declaring themselves underconsumption minimalists on a no/low-buy is infuriating. If everyone always approached fashion (whatever thing gives them joy while involving financial investment and collection) with as much reverence and thoughtfulness as you do, I don't think we'd be in the hole we are currently in.
I’m curious what you mean by “those who think we can’t see they are camouflaging non-constructive anti-capitalist messaging in their anti-fashion discourse.”
In a world where shoes can cost more than a thousand dollars and landfills in poorer countries are filled with US clothing waste and anxious people are buying new clothes every week, isn’t being at least slightly against the capitalist mentality appropriate ?
I don’t think dismantling capitalism will fix the problem.
I’m intrigued by what you mean ….
Dismantling capitalism entirely is hard to fathom - but surely consumerism here is at an extreme high relative to other times historically and other places on the globe . People - mostly women ? - are consuming clothing at an astounding rate , continually adding to their wardrobes , seeking highs from shopping and new material objects in a way that doesn't feel healthy .
Don’t you think that capitalism - a system based on the drive to sell things to us - is part of the problem ?
Capitalism can be improved for sure but dismantling it for a “the grass is greener on the other side” type of system won’t fix the problem—the problem being poverty.
You are an amazing writer! I found myself nodding in aggressive agreement 😂. "The ones who follow people they are inspired by—not to become them, but to catch a mirror image of their own beauty when finding it on their own feels difficult—aren’t to blame." Wow - I felt this deeply.