Dear Readers,
During my university years, I worked a student job at a well-known fast fashion retailer. That experience opened my eyes to the inner workings of the industry: piles and piles of clothes arriving daily, constantly being put out on the shop floor to convince customers they must have this week's “hottest” new item.
Every two weeks, a new collection would arrive - garments made mostly of polyamide, mimicking the latest catwalk trends, yet destined to be replaced before the month was over. I’m not going to lie - it felt like a rat race. The pressure to constantly buy more just to keep up, only to feel outdated weeks later, was exhausting.
I still remember a professor from my university who loved to say, “It’s all about the money.” She was right. The system was designed to generate profit by creating a sense of lack in the customer. Making you believe that unless you own a piece - or three - from the newest collection, you’re missing out. After all, even [insert your favourite celebrity] is wearing it, right?
So, a few years ago, I made a conscious decision to step away from trends.
It was partly a lifestyle choice - I didn’t want to spend my free time shopping for clothes that reek of plastic. But it was also about mental clarity. I needed to drop the obsession with measuring my worth or style against the ever-changing fashion cycle. And yes, it was also a financial decision. I wanted to save more and invest in things that truly matter to me.
I’ve always been a big believer in quality. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know how much I advocate for natural fabrics - cashmere, silk, linen. But I also understand that quality often comes at a higher price. That’s why I either invest in a few high-quality pieces I can keep for years (with proper care), or I browse vintage and second-hand shops - where I’ve found some incredible gems more than once.
Let me be clear: I don’t live with a minimalist capsule wardrobe. I still own plenty of clothing - collected over many years - but what makes the difference is that I’m no longer participating in the cycle of disposable fashion. Many of my pieces are over 10 years old and still going strong, because I chose well and looked after them.
Looking back, I can say with confidence: the greatest thing I’ve gained from stepping off the trend treadmill is peace of mind. Watching trends come and go at lightning speed only reinforces that my energy is better spent elsewhere.
And who knows how long labubus will stay anyway? 😉
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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