The True Cost

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I recently went to a cool film screening for a documentary called The True Cost, hosted by the Honolulu Fashion Incubator (HIFI). The film is about the impact the fashion industry has on the planet. I oftentimes find it hard to justify my interest in fashion because of issues like unfair wages, lack of labor rights, and a negative impact on the environment. On the one hand, I feel like any organization or company that prioritizes profit over ethics doesn’t deserve my support, but on the other hand, I truly think that fashion is a beautiful and exciting thing. Instead of just giving up on my passion, I make an extra effort not only to do my part in making conscientious choices about what I buy and wear, but also to make sure I post about issues to help spread awareness to others.

One issue that The True Cost brought up is how quickly people dispose of their clothing because of the cycle of fast fashion. Many people set clothing items aside, either to sell to thrift shops or to donate to non-profits such as Goodwill and Salvation Army, and while the intentions are noble, a lot of people do not realize that these donated items frequently end up in landfills instead. The fact is that we are producing such an immense amount of waste that thrift shops can’t possibly handle it all. The film reminded me how important it is to choose carefully when shopping and only purchase items that you truly love and want to keep around for a long time.

So, about this dress: I love anything pineapple related and fell in love with this Charlotte Russe dress when my sister bought it this past spring. At the beginning of the summer I saw the same dress at a secondhand shop for only eight bucks! I have worn it numerous times since purchasing it and it has quickly become one of my favorite dresses in my closet. I’ve always loved thrifting because it’s a great way to find unique pieces that not everybody else has, as well as to recycle! I still try to only buy items that I love, but it’s much more of a guilt free way to shop.

Charlotte Russe dress. Kate Spade purse.

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