Sep 4, 2024Brand

Investing in Fashion

I've found that talking about quality over quantity in fashion is like preaching to a choir that hasn't quite learned the tune yet. You can explain the benefits of investing in pieces that last—both in style and durability—but it takes a certain mindset to truly grasp it. Most people nod along, saying,"Yeah, I get it,"but then go right back to purchasing cheap clothing. Why? Because that's what the fashion industry has conditioned us to do for the last few decades.

We've been taught that it's better to purchase cheap, trendy clothing that you’ll wear once or twice than to invest in something you can wear hundreds of times. But here's something to consider: most of us don’t think twice about spending hundreds of dollars on getting our hair done every six weeks. We sit in the stylist's chair, hear the price, and willingly pay. Yet, when it comes to spending a couple hundred dollars on a dress that will last for years, we hesitate.

The response I often hear to this is, "But I have to live with my hair every day, and a dress I might only wear four times a year." I get it, but let’s break that down. Suppose you do wear that dress just four times a year, but it lasts for ten years because it's crafted of high-quality materials. That’s 40 wears versus a fast fashion dress you might wear once before it loses its appeal or falls apart. By the time you've replaced the cheap dress multiple times, you've likely spent close to what you would have on the higher-quality dress—and the nicer dress is still going strong for years to come.

As for only wearing something four times a year—really? Are you telling me you never repeat an outfit? Never fall in love with something so much that you want to wear it as often as possible? Or maybe you’re so used to getting only a few wears out of an item that you assume that’s the norm. When you invest in high-quality clothing, you might buy fewer pieces, but you’ll wear them more often, and they’ll look better and last longer. It’s a return to the idea that less is more.

The sustainability issue

Sustainability is a hot topic in fashion right now, and at Isla & Saige, it's a priority we take seriously. By investing in pieces that last, you're supporting a shift back to a more sustainable fashion industry. Fast fashion encourages us to treat clothing like disposable goods—something to be worn a handful of times before being tossed out like yesterday’s trash. But when you buy quality, you’re choosing sustainability. You’re not participating in fashion waste.

Fast fashion and trendy, throwaway pieces contribute to a massive amount of waste in the industry. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a truly sustainable fast fashion brand. At the end of the day, these items are destined for the landfill far sooner and far more often than well-made, timeless pieces.

What it used to be

Before fast fashion, most clothing was crafted to last years, and people weren’t in the habit of buying and discarding like we are now. To put it in perspective, the average American household today spends around 3% of their annual income on clothing—about $1,500 a year. In the 1960s, that figure was closer to 10%, equivalent to about $4,000 today. Unfortunately the rise of fast fashion has conditioned us to believe that anything over $30-$50 is too expensive, even though these companies profit from selling us items that fall apart, forcing us to buy more and more.

So let’s choose fashion that leaves a legacy—pieces that hang in your closet for decades, ready to be passed down to the next generation. I want every woman to have the opportunity to shape the future of fashion by investing in clothing that stands the test of time, both in style and quality. When you choose to invest in clothing you’re not just building a wardrobe; you’re creating a collection of cherished pieces that will be treasured for years to come.

Shop the Isla & Saige Legacy

Keaton Linen Tie Top

$195.00

Keaton Linen Tie Top

$195.00

Classic white linen shorts with ruffle waistband

Hudson Linen Shorts

$170.00

Jackie Linen Shift Dress

$220.00

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