“All I wanted was to be a little teacup,” shared a TikTok creator (@skunkhead) in a video. Sadly, they turned to fast fashion to achieve their “teacup” aspirations but encountered issues with the dress’s poor construction.
The video reveals that the dress from Forever 21 is visibly mismatched, prompting the original poster to express confusion in the captions with “wtf do I do.” Fast fashion is marked by the quick production of vast amounts of clothing, and it typically lacks quality and distinctive styles, leading to noticeable drops in product durability.
@skunkhead i just wanted to be a little tea cup #endfastfashion #forever21 #forever21fail #fastfashion #fastfashionsucks #fastfashionisntcute #fastfashionshouldend ♬ original sound – ORDENIE
Aside from aesthetic flaws like an uneven hemline, such items significantly contribute to the overflowing textile waste in landfills. The fast-paced production processes often place immense pressure on overworked and underpaid workers in developing nations. The Clean Clothes Campaign reported that garment workers were owed approximately $11.85 billion in unpaid wages in 2021. Additionally, the University of Washington states that a garment worker in Bangladesh earns less than $3 daily.
Since these garments tend to have a short lifespan, many individuals are likely to discard them when they become worn out. Nevertheless, even if the items are not suitable for passing on or selling, there are still options to upcycle old fabrics. Think about taking that worn or damaged clothing and transforming it into a quilt, an apron, or weaving it into new textiles.
So how can you steer clear of the purchasing mistake made by Skunk? Concentrate on brands that prioritize higher-quality clothing and sustainable practices. For instance, Uniqlo aims to have 50% of its product materials sourced from recycled materials by 2030 and has already begun doing so. Furthermore, the Girlfriend Collective creates activewear from recycled nylon and polyester sourced from nets, plastic bottles, and other forms of waste.
Some commenters were taken aback by the news about Forever 21, with one stating, “I didn’t realize f21 was fast fashion. Kicking rocks rn.”
About the dress’s look, one commenter noted, “Please, that’s not even remotely even.” But for the OP wanting to salvage the dress instead of returning it, they might consider a suggestion from another user to “remove the two black ribbons in the middle, then…just adjust the neckline.”
Subscribe to our free newsletter for simple tips to save more and waste less, and check out this great list of easy ways to support yourself while aiding the planet.
