Fashion affects our mental health too

Fashion has more than environmental, social, political, & economic implications, it affects our mental health too.

Buying new clothes is sold to us as a way to attain happiness. We buy that new trendy piece thinking we will achieve a better, and thus happier, version of ourselves.

BUT, the "happiness" we gain from shopping is short-lived. Overconsumption leads to emptiness and boredom in between shopping periods, with feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction increasing our desire to shop more.

Constantly changing trends fuel the fashion industry and overconsumption. The world now consumes about 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year (400% more than two decades ago).

Studies have shown that overconsumption is linked to decreased:

• happiness
• social cooperation
• life satisfaction

Not to mention, it also increases debt in lower income households (Thnk: "Keeping up the the Jones").

As social media & online shopping increase, so does the cycle of overconsumption. Driven by the very human urge of constant comparison to others and the desire to fit in.

Young, mid-high income women are most vulnerable. Fashion advertisements have the power to spark feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, shame, guilt, and anxiety in consumers.

Body image concerns, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, financial distress, peer pressure & more mental health concerns are heavily amplified by fast fashion.

At Reclypt, we encourage "intentional shopping" which is a way to slow down your consumption. We'd suggest keeping a list of items you need (keep it on your phone?!) so if you ever have the impulse to shop, you can check that list so you're only buying what you need.