Frida Rose Gaspar

At first glance, the tweet to the right just seems like a harmless recreation of Billy Crystal’s promo photoshoot for When Harry Met Sally. However, as user @ellorysmith states, the comparison of clothing is striking. The photo of the tweet was brought to my attention by TikTok user @heygranty, who also talks about planned opalescence. The process of creating items that are meant to break easily or go out of style in the next few years, for companies to maximize production and profit. As he ended his video asking viewers if they believe the quality of clothing has declined, it struck me that he was right. We live in an age when synthetic fabrics and fibers fill our malls, all while prices skyrocket. While planned obsolescence typically applies to technology over clothing, what differentiates vintage clothing quality from present-day fast fashion?

According to an article by Vox, “Your stuff is Worse” by author Izzie Ramirez, we can thank industrialization. The Industrial Designers Society of America states that often industrial designers hone in on three aspects of production, appearance, functionality, and manufacturability. It is the stage of manufacturing that has been impacted the most over the decades. From producing in small-scale factories to massive production conglomerates with sweatshops stationed internationally, something had to give. As Ramirez mentions in her article, consumers are not privy to the information on financial burdens of the fashion industry. They don’t care that it costs more to produce a t-shirt than 40 years ago, they just don’t want to pay more. Therefore it is often the quality of the garment that needs to be adapted to meet the price the consumer is willing to pay. 

As Ramirez later states, this can be exasperated by the continuous amounts of trend cycles that filter through social media platforms. This causes overconsumption and a demand for low-quality clothing and low prices, in other words, more times than not we get what we pay for. That’s why I appreciate content creators like TikToker Andrea Cheong. Although based in London, Cheong has made a name for herself by outing international fast fashion brands for their practices of upcharging for low-quality items. Recently, she has called out brands like Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo for their winter drops which include coats and sweaters. Her knowledge of synthetic fabrics and their effects on the environment is crucial to the discussion of sustainable fashion. 

As I reflect on the disappointing decline in the quality of clothing being produced by fashion companies. It also makes so all the more appreciative of thrifting and the culture that surrounds the community. I truly think finding that one piece that makes it all worth it is so rewarding. That 100% wool sweater with a vintage Ralph Lauren Tag. Or a high-quality North Face puffer that’s like new. While the quality of clothing often relies on a chain of factors, taking matters into your own hands is the first step to really getting bang for your buck. Before stepping into the department store to pick up your next winter coat, consider going down to your local thrift store and see what treasures are waiting for you. 

By Frida Rose Gaspar