As my Sophomore year in college rolls around the corner, I am beginning to think about packing. The towers of clothing stuffed in my small closet dare me to try to fit them all in one suitcase. This got me thinking about my consumption tendencies and how fast fashion has become somewhat of a crisis. And what it has to do with conservative values.
“Fast fashion” refers to the cheap jeans you buy at the big retail stores in the mall. They may resemble the season’s trending styles, keeping you hip and stylish for a short period until a new pair is all the rage. Many are drawn to the clothing from fast-fashion production models because it is cost-effective and on-trend.
Brands of this model often locate manufacturing in countries like China and Bangladesh, using low-cost materials sewn at mass scale in sweatshops with cheap labor. Compared to older clothing that can endure decades because of its quality, fast-fashion items last only a few wears because they are incredibly low-quality and made from cheap, synthetic materials. The fast fashion industry generates 1.92 million tons of textile waste per year, equivalent to one trash truck full of clothes landing in a dump every second. In addition, 2-8% of global carbon emissions come from the fashion industry, and it is one of the top water-consuming industries. While the user may pay a low cost, the planet pays a high one.
This is where conservatism is important. Conserving clothes is similar to conserving money and resources; these values should extend across the board to protect our future and the planet’s. I find it more meaningful to own fewer quality pieces I can wear for years than to constantly buy new clothes that end up in the landfill after a couple of wears. As a society, we should make intentional decisions to build a sustainable future. Luckily, there are other solutions to maintaining a stylish status without contributing to the uneconomical industry of fast fashion.
Thrifting, or secondhand shopping, is a fantastic remedy for the ills of fast fashion. It has the same money-saving aspect while avoiding waste and funding community charities. As an avid second-hand shopper myself, nothing beats the thrill of finding a cute piece in a thrift store, sometimes even from an upscale brand, and seeing the price tag as something in my range of affordability. There is something exceptional about giving an old item new life while also knowing no harm is done in the process.
Today, I spent the afternoon running around my city, visiting different thrift stores and finding fun stuff at good prices to document as examples of how great thrifting can be.
I started off at the Salvation Army, an organization with charity stores and community services all across America. My find of the day here was a pair of pinstripe Ralph Lauren shorts in perfect condition, for the low price of $5.99. Perfect for the East Coast when I go back to school!
My next stop was Crossroads, a nationwide consignment store that will pay consumers for their old clothes. This is more of a curated store, which can be nice for those who don’t want to look too far. Here, I found a vast collection of jeans in mint condition from brands like Levi’s, Free People, and Paige. Not a single pair was over $25. I had a fun time experimenting with different styles and cuts!
My final stop was Goodwill, a thrift store classic. When I was in high school, my friends and I enjoyed driving down to the Goodwill Bins where we would dig through unsorted clothing for wholesale prices. At this store location, I found perfect-fitting striped ballet flats for $6.99! Great day for the thrift.
The next time you’re in the market for a new item of clothing, why not give it a go? Your wallet and the planet will thank you!
Livia Payne is republicEn’s summer 2026 intern. She is a sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston, studying Political Science and Environmental Studies.