How to fashion detox and why you should

Breaking Up With Fast Fashion: Why a Fashion Detox Might Be Exactly What You Need

I attended the book launch of How to Break Up With Fast Fashion by Lauren Bravo, a refreshingly honest exploration of our complicated relationship with clothes.

In the book, Lauren documents her decision to stop buying new clothes for an entire year - an intentional pause from the environmentally damaging fast fashion industry. Think of it as a fashion detox: stepping back to reassess habits, priorities, and the true cost of what we wear.

Why Consider a Fashion Detox?

The big one: tackling clothing waste.

The global fashion industry has a serious problem with pollution, waste, and human rights abuses. To put things into perspective:

• Around 300,000 tonnes of clothing end up in UK landfill every year

• Some fast fashion brands produce up to 52 collections annually

• In extreme cases, garments go from design to shop floor in as little as 10 days

It’s worth pausing to consider this: while the cost of living has steadily increased over the years, the price of high street clothing has largely remained the same. Something has to give—and it’s usually the environment or the people making our clothes.

As consumers, we have more power than we realise. Where we choose to spend our money can push brands to change.

If you’re among the 48% of UK adults who know fast fashion is harmful to the planet (yes - meaning a staggering 52% still don’t), a fashion detox can help you challenge and reassess your shopping behaviour.

The Benefits of a Fashion Detox

Save money
The most obvious perk: buying fewer clothes means spending less.

Make money
Clearing out your wardrobe often reveals items you haven’t worn in years. Be ruthless - sell anything you haven’t worn in the past 12 months (excluding investment or designer pieces you genuinely plan to keep).

Boost wardrobe creativity
You’ll quickly realise how much you already own. Rediscover pieces you love but have forgotten about, experiment with new combinations, and get creative with what’s already in your wardrobe.

8 Ways to Start a Fashion Detox

Whether you want to stop shopping altogether for a while or simply become more mindful, here are my top fashion detox tips:

1. Do a wardrobe cleanse

Take everything out of your wardrobe and confront the sheer volume. Create three piles: keep, sell, bin. Then look closely at what’s going in the bin—are there patterns? Certain fabrics, impulse buys, uncomfortable styles, or “going-out” dresses you never actually wear? Take note for future purchases.

2. Unsubscribe from temptation

Email newsletters constantly pushing new drops and trends make it harder to resist buying things you don’t need. Unsubscribe and enjoy the peace.

3. Curate your social media

Are you following influencers who seem to be gifted a new designer bag every month? Remember, you control the content you consume. Just as you might choose a podcast over mindless scrolling on your commute, you can choose feeds that inspire rather than encourage overconsumption.

4. One in, one out

If your wardrobe is overflowing, adopt this simple rule: for every new item that comes in, one has to go.

5. Become a charity-shop magpie

If quitting new clothes entirely feels too daunting, commit to buying second-hand instead. Campaigns like Oxfam’s Second Hand September are a great way to start.

6. Borrow and lend

Why not split the cost of a designer piece with a friend and share it? More wear, less waste.

7. Rent for special occasions

Wedding guest outfits and event wear often come with a high price tag but limited wear. Rental services like Front Row offer stylish alternatives without the commitment.

8. Buy less, choose well

Before buying something new, ask yourself: Will I wear this at least 30 times?
If you want to shop more consciously, Good On You is a brilliant brand directory that rates both high-street and luxury labels on their ethical and sustainability practices—because, as they put it, “there are some skeletons in the closet that can’t be hidden.”

Breaking up with fast fashion doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even small changes: buying less, choosing better, and appreciating what you already own can make a meaningful difference.