By now, we all know that clicking “Add to Cart” on that $5 t-shirt or overnighting a gadget we don’t really need isn’t just about convenience—it’s part of a bigger problem. Fast fashion, mass production, and the “everything-is-disposable” mindset have turned our shopping habits into an ethical nightmare. And while no one wants to be the person lecturing their friends about the sins of two-day shipping at dinner, the truth is, if we care about justice, we have to care about this.
The issue isn’t new, but it’s getting worse. The rise of ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu (which, let’s be honest, make even Amazon look responsible) has made it clear that we’re more addicted to cheap stuff than ever. And it’s not just about affordability—it’s about speed. In the last few years, fast fashion has mutated into ultra-fast fashion, with some brands churning out 6,000 new styles a day. To put that into perspective, Zara—one of the first brands to pioneer fast fashion—used to be shocking for releasing 12,000 styles a year. Shein does that in two days. The goal? To make consumers feel like everything they own is outdated constantly, so they keep buying more.
And it’s working.
In 2024, the U.S. cracked down on Shein and Temu over concerns of forced labor in their supply chains, banning shipments linked to unethical factories. But despite the bad press, these brands are thriving. In fact, Temu was the most downloaded app of the year, surpassing TikTok and Instagram. That means millions of people—many of them young consumers—are still lured in by dirt-cheap prices and the promise of trendy, disposable fashion.
Meanwhile, social media keeps fanning the flames. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve seen the hauls. Not just a sweater or two—hundreds of dollars worth of items, spread out like trophies, unboxed for an audience trained to believe that more is always better. It’s not just about shopping; it’s about performing consumerism, turning excess into entertainment. The dopamine hit of a new package arriving at the door is now part of the content economy. And before we get too self-righteous, let’s be honest: We’ve all been there. The rush of a quick deal. The thrill of a package on the way. The little hit of serotonin that comes from tracking your shipment like it’s Christmas morning.
The problem is, this isn’t just about our bank accounts. It’s about people.
So, Why Should Christians Care?
Because this is a justice issue.
We love to talk about making a difference in the world. We share posts about human trafficking and systemic poverty. We donate to charity, go on mission trips, and advocate for the marginalized. But what if, without realizing it, we’re funding the very injustice we claim to stand against?
The Bible is packed with reminders to care for the poor, the oppressed, and the exploited (Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:8-9, James 5:4). And yet, the reality is that many of our favorite budget-friendly buys come at the expense of underpaid, overworked laborers, many of whom are in inhumane conditions. Reports have repeatedly linked fast fashion brands to sweatshops, child labor, and forced labor camps. Many of the factories that make our cheap clothes operate under grueling conditions, with workers being paid cents per hour, trapped in cycles of poverty with no way out.
And it’s not just about labor; it’s about waste.
Every year, Americans throw away 11 million tons of clothing. That’s 2,150 pieces of clothing every second. Landfills are overflowing with barely-worn items, many of them made from synthetic materials that won’t decompose for centuries. And if they don’t end up in landfills? They get dumped into poorer countries, flooding markets in places like Ghana with so many discarded Western clothes that it’s destabilizing local economies.
The truth is, we can’t keep pretending this is a victimless crime. Our desire for cheap, trendy things has real consequences.
And while no one is saying you have to swear off shopping forever (capitalism is, unfortunately, still a thing), we can start making better choices.
So… What Can We Actually Do?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. But here’s the good news: Small changes matter. Here’s where to start:
1. Buy Less, Buy Better.
Fast fashion thrives on the idea that you need a whole new wardrobe every season. Spoiler: You don’t. Investing in fewer, higher-quality pieces (even thrifted ones) makes a bigger impact than you think.
2. Do Some Digging.
Before clicking “Buy Now,” check a brand’s ethics. Websites like Good On You rank companies on sustainability and labor practices. If a deal feels too good, there’s probably a reason.
3. Shift the Algorithm.
Social media is pushing you hauls because it thinks you want them. But if you engage with more ethical fashion influencers, secondhand styling accounts, or minimalism tips, your feed will reflect those values instead.
4. Support Small and Local.
Etsy, fair-trade brands, and local businesses might cost more, but they keep money in ethical supply chains instead of sweatshops.
5. Call It Out (With Grace).
No one likes a self-righteous Instagram rant, but a casual convo with friends about why you’re trying to shop more intentionally? That sticks. People are often willing to care—they just need a reason to.
At the end of the day, no one is expecting you to become a perfectly ethical consumer overnight. But if our faith calls us to live justly, then where we spend our money should reflect that. And that starts with small, intentional choices—because those add up.
So yeah, it might be time to rethink that $3 Temu gadget.
