Really. JUST STOP
Every YouTube homepage has become flooded with the same exhausting content these days: fast fashion hauls. A typical shopping trip unbagging is one thing, but these videos from high level influencers flaunt hundreds of dollars in cheap merchandise from websites like Forever 21, Shein, Princess Polly and more of our least favorite shops.
When it comes to fast fashion, the problem is not primarily the casual customers or those buying within their price range. The problem is big influencers who make six-digits (or more) and continue to promote businesses they have the means to opt out of.
Stop Pushing Over Consumption
Videos with titles like “Huge Shein Haul” are justified as showing the audience how these hit or miss items fit and how to style them, but what they really do is create envy for cheap shiny things. Creators have the money to purchase huge boxes of merchandise and toss what doesn’t work, and use this to pull in viewers without the same privilege.
Over consumption is one of the many issues with fast fashion, as it- and these videos- promote buying as much clothing as you can to stay on trend rather than investing in quality clothes.
Again, *the average consumer is not to blame here. Rich influencers need to take some sustainable responsibility and stop promoting massive shopping hauls. What they should be doing instead is having real conversations about fashion and privilege.
Supporting sustainable brands or small businesses is the best way to lead by doing. Influencers could also promote fast fashion alternatives like consignment and garment flipping, so they could continue making on-trend videos without buying low quality new clothes.
Less is More
In order to really crush the over consumption issue, influencers need to stop doing these huge hauls altogether. Viewers need to know that constant shopping is not the only way to measure success.
We know it’s hard to get these videos off your homepage and unlearn what they’ve taught you. But you get to choose what you see more of- if you’re looking for some new fashion videos to watch, check out capsule wardrobes and thrift flips!
Influencers may not understand that they’re do anything wrong when they make these videos, but it’s time to create some accountability to create a better online community joined together by more than boxes and bags.
*while this article is primarily about voicing our concerns of influencers doing fast fashion hauls we agree with Aja Barber’s sentiment that most people who are choosing to have these conversations can afford to avoid fast fashion.
–Tori D’Amico
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