It’s downright thrilling to me to think that we might, just might, be taking a major societal turn toward less consumption. I like your perspective on the economic blackout. I’m fairly frugal too, and abhor the waste that’s built in to American culture, but I am also a Taurus who enjoys her little luxuries and treats now and then. I’ve never really been a clothes hound, but lately have been thinking a lot about how much more I can curtail my spending there. The Gen Z thrifting, the refill shops—hey, I’ll take my thrills wherever I can get them these days.
Such a good and thoughtful read, as always. And the links look great, too, but I haven’t gotten to them yet!
Same same, I actual do love rewarding myself with "things" and some stuff is non-negotiable. Weirdly candles in recent years have made that list, certain beauty things, but I used to LOVE clothes, bags and shoes (and honestly still do) but really now...where am I going to wear any of it??? I accompany my kid when she thrifts, but I noticed that lately I'm not even really interested. That was the tipping point. That, and I can't shake the idea that it all goes to a landfill someday.
I was looking for economic blackout day results, so thanks for writing this in depth piece. Your links are helpful. Unless I read it wrong, I’m puzzled by the stat that overall Amazon purchases were slightly up but its web and app browsing was down. Keep up the great reporting.
Yeah, I noticed that too. But the stats were from two different data sources so maybe that explains the descrepancy? The way they are measuring was slightly different? I did read that even though sales were up, during peak hours, traffic was slightly down. I think data might still be trickling out, but ultimately, I think it would be kinda hard to really quantify on just one day. So many variables.
There's so much to unpack with consumerism. Built-in obsolescence, disposable culture, status signalling, retail therapy, probably lots more I'm not even thinking about. As a visual designer one of my first (and ongoing) personal crises was, "am I simply contributing noise that enables a meaningless cycle of consumption?" hence my shift to UX. And then the realization that it's not much better when you're trying to facilitate the ease with which people meaninglessly consume.
It'll be interesting to see the way tariffs shift people's buying habits. A lot of this stuff is just habit - something you do and don't question till something makes you pay attention. I've read that the Canadian mass boycott of US goods and travel will be noticeable. I think some of us have been living and shopping on autopilot, and the new world order is making us pay attention. I say this as someone with the immense privilege to have been living and shopping on autopilot, though mostly where food is concerned as I tend to be frugal, lifestyle-wise. Tons more have been jolted to attention by the clash of stagnated pay and inflation.
I think one of the questions is, what do we do with the time we free up by not hunting for deals or treats? Or even being glued to screens, in passive consumption? I think the answer is community-building or creating, in whatever ways we choose to interpret that (and I do think hyper-local, mindful shopping, thrifting, and bargaining can build community).
Jackie, first of all - thank you for the paid subscription. It means the world right now. ❤️
Second, I totally get what you mean about having a personal crises about adding to the cycle as a designer. Also started out as a print designer (as we all did way back then) and so much waste in ink and paper when so much of it gets discarded/recycled. Also had the same crises when we had our bakery business and we were packaging cookies in boxes to be shipped nationwide.
No, UX isn't really better. Our entire job is to make pain points disappear so that users can consume and make it to checkout. I've also thought about the enterprise work that I've done which essentially is helping corporations make certain jobs obsolete. Bah.
This shift in more mindful consuming is definitely accelerated because of the way our current economy is headed. It definitely was for our household. But the thing over time when you start realizing that you don't really miss the things you cut out is that you didn't need them at all to make life fulfilling. And with more freed up time? For me, reading and making plans to see friends. I've even toyed with the idea of even taking a class!
Sorry to say I think it’s mostly an age thing, this not shopping anymore 😉. I’ll soon be 70 and it’s been “downhill” for more than 10 years. Taking care of our parents houses after they passed away also made one question how much you really need. ( and I live in Sweden where they invented “dödstädning” = declutter before you die) But we have some things we consume more than before - like concerts, cinema, nice dinners and other things that make us happy but doesn’t add upp at home.
Now we’ll likely consume even less - Europe will try and boycott American made products…. In support of Ukraine.
Oh, I know some of it's age. I don't have the stamina to shop anymore, nor am I so interested, but I know some...uh...family members (ahem) who haven't slowed down because it's so easy to shop online 😅.
Thanks for this post, lots to think on here. I’ve always loved clothes and I wish I could say I’ve evolved into a mindful consumer of them, but if I’m honest, it’s more like I’m a world-weary consumer who feels like I’ve seen every trend roll through at least once, and who haunts thrift stores just hungry for a feeling of serendipity that online shopping and traditional clothing stores don’t provide anymore. I actually used to enjoy the Instagram ads when they pointed me to lots of novel niche-y things, but the ads are so repetitive now that I wonder, do they honestly expect me to buy that thing after enough exposures, or am I so outside the target demographic that they have nothing new to show me? At least this disillusionment feeds my decluttering efforts. These days, I won’t buy a new garment unless I can figure out what it will replace in my closet.
You hit a good point, actually. I think some of my lost interest is that I can't find things I like within my budget. I mean...if I had loads of disposable income I wouldn't have any trouble 😅, but everything in my budget seems so boring or similar. So yeah, I think that's why thrifting or vintage is so much more interesting, but I really have to be in the mood to sift through stuff.
This was such a good read! And I feel like reducing our consumption is really in the air these days... Just yesterday I saw a reel (funny) that summarized a Vogue article (behind a paywall) about the death of microtrends and how people are getting tired of having to purchase trend after trend to simply keep up, and that personal style is essentially dying. When I was looking up said article, I came across 10 more all written within the last year.
I find my position unique in that I'm 14 months postpartum and nothing fits - I am not in my pre-baby body (which I think any discussion of consumerism especially in terms of fashion, also needs to talk about body image, and how sadly a lot of higher end brands (quality) and even second-hand vintage stores skew to a smaller slimmer framed person) and fast fashion is oftentimes the only option for people in bigger bodies. Even then, with the rise of Ozempic and 90s era skinny chic, there is a decline even in offering bigger sizes. I went off on a tangent, sorry!
Forgot to say that I was shocked that 70% of our economy is driven by our consumerism! Makes me wonder how the new Tr*** tax will impact things and if we will have to get creative with our spending. I also want to say I really enjoy your newsletters, I wish I could comment every time but we're in the toddler stage and you know how that goes 😅
I was shocked too. I mean I always knew it was our main economic engine, but I didn't think it was so high. I think some of this new mindfulness IS because of the tariffs making lots of things more expensive, coupled with inflation and so many layoffs. It's like a perfect storm, which is why we might be ripe for a shift.
And omg if you're in need of clothes you should shop! Look at me enabling haha, but this is a necessity for you at the moment. And I know fast fashion gets a bad rap for good reasons, but if you're able to hold onto the pieces for years then it's not so bad? I've had quite a few piece of clothing that qualifies as fast fashion that I've had for five or more years.
I do remember the shopping days with my friends. Oh, it's such hard work trying on all the maybes, but it's so fun showing them to each other and getting instant live approval. You're making me nostalgic! Nowadays, my best friends and I occasionally share pictures in chats to get yay/nay from one another, and it's an acceptable alternative since we are all in different countries!
That said, I no longer enjoy any kind of shopping - offline or online - they are all a chore, so I only buy when I really need something; holes in panties, anyone? XD
It’s downright thrilling to me to think that we might, just might, be taking a major societal turn toward less consumption. I like your perspective on the economic blackout. I’m fairly frugal too, and abhor the waste that’s built in to American culture, but I am also a Taurus who enjoys her little luxuries and treats now and then. I’ve never really been a clothes hound, but lately have been thinking a lot about how much more I can curtail my spending there. The Gen Z thrifting, the refill shops—hey, I’ll take my thrills wherever I can get them these days.
Such a good and thoughtful read, as always. And the links look great, too, but I haven’t gotten to them yet!
Same same, I actual do love rewarding myself with "things" and some stuff is non-negotiable. Weirdly candles in recent years have made that list, certain beauty things, but I used to LOVE clothes, bags and shoes (and honestly still do) but really now...where am I going to wear any of it??? I accompany my kid when she thrifts, but I noticed that lately I'm not even really interested. That was the tipping point. That, and I can't shake the idea that it all goes to a landfill someday.
I was looking for economic blackout day results, so thanks for writing this in depth piece. Your links are helpful. Unless I read it wrong, I’m puzzled by the stat that overall Amazon purchases were slightly up but its web and app browsing was down. Keep up the great reporting.
Yeah, I noticed that too. But the stats were from two different data sources so maybe that explains the descrepancy? The way they are measuring was slightly different? I did read that even though sales were up, during peak hours, traffic was slightly down. I think data might still be trickling out, but ultimately, I think it would be kinda hard to really quantify on just one day. So many variables.
There's so much to unpack with consumerism. Built-in obsolescence, disposable culture, status signalling, retail therapy, probably lots more I'm not even thinking about. As a visual designer one of my first (and ongoing) personal crises was, "am I simply contributing noise that enables a meaningless cycle of consumption?" hence my shift to UX. And then the realization that it's not much better when you're trying to facilitate the ease with which people meaninglessly consume.
It'll be interesting to see the way tariffs shift people's buying habits. A lot of this stuff is just habit - something you do and don't question till something makes you pay attention. I've read that the Canadian mass boycott of US goods and travel will be noticeable. I think some of us have been living and shopping on autopilot, and the new world order is making us pay attention. I say this as someone with the immense privilege to have been living and shopping on autopilot, though mostly where food is concerned as I tend to be frugal, lifestyle-wise. Tons more have been jolted to attention by the clash of stagnated pay and inflation.
I think one of the questions is, what do we do with the time we free up by not hunting for deals or treats? Or even being glued to screens, in passive consumption? I think the answer is community-building or creating, in whatever ways we choose to interpret that (and I do think hyper-local, mindful shopping, thrifting, and bargaining can build community).
Jackie, first of all - thank you for the paid subscription. It means the world right now. ❤️
Second, I totally get what you mean about having a personal crises about adding to the cycle as a designer. Also started out as a print designer (as we all did way back then) and so much waste in ink and paper when so much of it gets discarded/recycled. Also had the same crises when we had our bakery business and we were packaging cookies in boxes to be shipped nationwide.
No, UX isn't really better. Our entire job is to make pain points disappear so that users can consume and make it to checkout. I've also thought about the enterprise work that I've done which essentially is helping corporations make certain jobs obsolete. Bah.
This shift in more mindful consuming is definitely accelerated because of the way our current economy is headed. It definitely was for our household. But the thing over time when you start realizing that you don't really miss the things you cut out is that you didn't need them at all to make life fulfilling. And with more freed up time? For me, reading and making plans to see friends. I've even toyed with the idea of even taking a class!
Sorry to say I think it’s mostly an age thing, this not shopping anymore 😉. I’ll soon be 70 and it’s been “downhill” for more than 10 years. Taking care of our parents houses after they passed away also made one question how much you really need. ( and I live in Sweden where they invented “dödstädning” = declutter before you die) But we have some things we consume more than before - like concerts, cinema, nice dinners and other things that make us happy but doesn’t add upp at home.
Now we’ll likely consume even less - Europe will try and boycott American made products…. In support of Ukraine.
Oh, I know some of it's age. I don't have the stamina to shop anymore, nor am I so interested, but I know some...uh...family members (ahem) who haven't slowed down because it's so easy to shop online 😅.
Thanks for this post, lots to think on here. I’ve always loved clothes and I wish I could say I’ve evolved into a mindful consumer of them, but if I’m honest, it’s more like I’m a world-weary consumer who feels like I’ve seen every trend roll through at least once, and who haunts thrift stores just hungry for a feeling of serendipity that online shopping and traditional clothing stores don’t provide anymore. I actually used to enjoy the Instagram ads when they pointed me to lots of novel niche-y things, but the ads are so repetitive now that I wonder, do they honestly expect me to buy that thing after enough exposures, or am I so outside the target demographic that they have nothing new to show me? At least this disillusionment feeds my decluttering efforts. These days, I won’t buy a new garment unless I can figure out what it will replace in my closet.
You hit a good point, actually. I think some of my lost interest is that I can't find things I like within my budget. I mean...if I had loads of disposable income I wouldn't have any trouble 😅, but everything in my budget seems so boring or similar. So yeah, I think that's why thrifting or vintage is so much more interesting, but I really have to be in the mood to sift through stuff.
This was such a good read! And I feel like reducing our consumption is really in the air these days... Just yesterday I saw a reel (funny) that summarized a Vogue article (behind a paywall) about the death of microtrends and how people are getting tired of having to purchase trend after trend to simply keep up, and that personal style is essentially dying. When I was looking up said article, I came across 10 more all written within the last year.
I find my position unique in that I'm 14 months postpartum and nothing fits - I am not in my pre-baby body (which I think any discussion of consumerism especially in terms of fashion, also needs to talk about body image, and how sadly a lot of higher end brands (quality) and even second-hand vintage stores skew to a smaller slimmer framed person) and fast fashion is oftentimes the only option for people in bigger bodies. Even then, with the rise of Ozempic and 90s era skinny chic, there is a decline even in offering bigger sizes. I went off on a tangent, sorry!
Forgot to say that I was shocked that 70% of our economy is driven by our consumerism! Makes me wonder how the new Tr*** tax will impact things and if we will have to get creative with our spending. I also want to say I really enjoy your newsletters, I wish I could comment every time but we're in the toddler stage and you know how that goes 😅
I was shocked too. I mean I always knew it was our main economic engine, but I didn't think it was so high. I think some of this new mindfulness IS because of the tariffs making lots of things more expensive, coupled with inflation and so many layoffs. It's like a perfect storm, which is why we might be ripe for a shift.
And omg if you're in need of clothes you should shop! Look at me enabling haha, but this is a necessity for you at the moment. And I know fast fashion gets a bad rap for good reasons, but if you're able to hold onto the pieces for years then it's not so bad? I've had quite a few piece of clothing that qualifies as fast fashion that I've had for five or more years.
I do remember the shopping days with my friends. Oh, it's such hard work trying on all the maybes, but it's so fun showing them to each other and getting instant live approval. You're making me nostalgic! Nowadays, my best friends and I occasionally share pictures in chats to get yay/nay from one another, and it's an acceptable alternative since we are all in different countries!
That said, I no longer enjoy any kind of shopping - offline or online - they are all a chore, so I only buy when I really need something; holes in panties, anyone? XD
I like the chat approvals! My kid sometimes does that from the fitting room! I think it's amusing that she even seeks my approval.
Love this. And, I long to be a woman who can effortlessly style and wear a scarf! One day!