Fashion has permanently reshaped the clothing industry, and many young shoppers, especially those in Gen Z, are beginning to notice the consequences. Students say the difference between today’s mass‑produced textiles and vintage pieces found in thrift stores or secondhand marketplaces is becoming increasingly clear.

Although brands try marketing their products as high quality, the industry gets away with their heavy use of petroleum-based fabrics such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic, which some argue are essentially plastic bags in wearable form.

These materials come with a long list of environmental and health concerns. Synthetic fibers shed microplastics during washing and everyday wear, and these particles enter storm drains, soil, and waterways. Research shows that microplastics accumulate in wildlife and humans, where they are known to contribute to cancer risks and hormonal disruptions. 

Some companies attempt to hide their use of synthetics by blending them with natural fibers, creating garments that appear more sustainable than they truly are and simultaneously lower production costs.

For shoppers seeking clothing made entirely from natural fibers, the price gap is difficult to ignore. Natural materials like cotton, linen, and wool often cost significantly more than the synthetic garments produced rapidly by ultra‑fast‑fashion companies such as SHEIN or Edikted.

People can feel the difference in newly produced items. Pilling, seam breaks, and dullness in fabric can be credited to polyester and its many forms in fabrics.

Sherpa, satin, microfiber, and athletic fabrics, to name a few, are all derivatives of polyester. So, in response, younger generations created trends in protest of the fabric’s prevalence in cheap clothing.

Chicken Noodle Soup, galaxy, and anime hoodies, all once pieces of clothing from the 2010s, continue facing backlash for their laughable designs and completely polyester composition. But more concerningly, some people never knew what polyester was.

Junior Tatiana Taylor says she became aware of the polyester epidemic a few years ago from TikTok. “Galaxy hoodies being ‘1,ooo% polyester’ was not much of an exaggeration.”

The information helps Tatiana avoid certain fabrics, and as a result, she is more intentional about the quality of her garments.

Some students argue that higher‑end brands justify their price tags with craftsmanship and longevity.

Senior Aaron Kamps prefers thrift stores, where he can find affordable, long‑lasting pieces, often made entirely of cotton.

Like Aaron, many students share frustration with popular brands whose prices are outrageously high, given the craftsmanship. “I’m more hesitant to buy clothes from retail stores because of their price.”

Companies like Urban Outfitters and Zara continue to release massive volumes of clothing, prioritizing rapid production and export times over small-scale, handmade construction.

Yet some shoppers, including junior Gus Graham, point out that “Modern labels such as Ralph Lauren still offer well-made cotton and linen garments that hold up over time.”

Although synthetic fabrics and outsourced production were common in the 1990s and early 2000s, many consumers feel that clothing from those decades reflects a time when consumer standards were higher.

Vintage jackets often featured intricate pocket designs, jeans came with carefully stitched embroidery, and brands competed for customer loyalty through their attention to both detail and customer satisfaction.

Companies have gradually lowered their standards, and, unfortunately, consumers have adjusted their expectations in turn.

Modern clothing’s decline is becoming more obvious when compared to brands from as little as 20 years ago, like Abercrombie, Hollister, and Levi’s.

Companies like these symbolized a time in the past, when companies paid attention to seam-stressing and quality wefting in jeans.

The perceived superiority of clothes from the past continues to grow the market for vintage clothing.

Stores, apps, and local pop-ups are just about everywhere, and those who recognize the benefits of shopping second-hand are following the trend.

Apps like Depop pride themselves on their endless options for discontinued, rare, and vintage clothing items.

Whereas apps like Thredup create their brand’s image as being more environmentally friendly, focusing on how much water and energy was saved by buying from their secondhand website.

People continue to become more ecologically conscious, and continue to buy used clothing, which not only saves money, but also saves wearable garments from being incinerated, trashed, or disposed of into our oceans.

As the market continues to fluctuate between quality and affordability, shoppers ultimately have the power to decide with their wallets.

The growing popularity of thrifting and vintage shopping suggests a cultural push back against a disposable fast-fashion market.

If this trend continues, companies may eventually respond with smaller-scale production, higher quality materials, and clothing that is both affordable and non‑toxic.