A Reddit user has shared their frustration after a $60 pair of shorts from sustainable fashion brand Afends “disintegrated” after just one week of wear and a single wash.
The shopper had higher expectations for the quality of the brand, especially given its premium price compared to budget retailers. “The material feels very thin and flimsy, and the fabric where my legs rub together is all bobbly and covered in those lint balls,” they wrote, describing how the shorts looked worn out despite minimal use. “The fabric at the stitching down the sides is fraying, and they look like I’ve been wearing them for years!”
This experience highlights a troubling trend in the fashion industry, where even higher-end brands are producing clothing with subpar construction and materials. This has led to a cycle of frequent purchases and premature disposal, straining both consumers’ wallets and the environment.
Making a single cotton T-shirt uses more than 700 gallons of water. When the item falls apart quickly, shoppers are forced to buy replacements, increasing the environmental toll. The fashion industry produces around 100 billion garments annually, with many of them ending up in landfills within months of being purchased.
The Reddit post sparked resonance within the community. One user commented, “The [Shein] effect. Clothing is almost universally poorer quality than it was 10 years ago. Clothes are now seen as much more disposable, so fewer people shop based on quality. This incentivizes brands to spend less money on making them for bigger profits.”
Others shared similar disappointments. “I bought a pyjama set from Sussan and didn’t find it until I was overseas. I wore it for the first time and both the top and pants had holes in the stitching,” said another user. “The bottoms had been washed once, and the top hadn’t been washed at all. I was so devastated.”
One Redditor simply expressed, “I’m so sick of it.”
For those looking to shop smarter, there are alternatives. Buying secondhand extends the life of clothing and can save money. When purchasing new items, research brands that are known for durability and inspect the clothing’s construction. Look for tight, even stitching and materials that feel sturdy rather than flimsy.
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