When Cheap Clothes Cost Too Much: A Wake-Up Call from Thailand

Looking Through a Different Lens

On a recent trip to Thailand, I found myself wandering through the markets and shopping streets with a different perspective than I might have in the past. Having been involved in the fashion industry for a few years now, and through my work with Ethical Clothing Australia, I see things differently.

Among the colourful racks of dresses, shirts, and bargain finds, I couldn’t stop thinking: Where did these clothes come from? Who made them? Were they made with care or through exploitation?

That moment shifted my holiday into something deeper—a realisation that we all need to pause and rethink the story behind our clothes.

The Rise of Fast (and Ultra-Fast) Fashion

Traditionally, fashion brands released new collections just a few times a year, sometimes taking up to 10 months from design to store shelves. Today, that cycle has been completely disrupted.

• Fast fashion brands churn out around 52 micro-seasons a year - a new collection almost every week.
  
  

• Ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein or Boohoo are even quicker, producing thousands of new items within days - sometimes as fast as 10 days from concept to customer.

This constant turnover encourages us to keep buying more and wearing each piece less. In fact, research shows the average number of times a garment is worn has dropped by over 35% in just 15 years.

It begs the question: What kind of world are we creating when clothes are treated as disposable?

The Environmental Cost

The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to environmental damage:

• 8-10% of global carbon emissions come from fast fashion.
  
  

• Around 93 billion cubic metres of water are consumed annually - enough to meet the needs of five million people.
  
  

• It’s responsible for about 20% of the world’s wastewater and a huge share of microplastic pollution.

Every cheap T-shirt or $10 dress comes at a hidden cost—our planet’s wellbeing.

The Human Cost

Behind the racks of “bargains” are real people - mostly women - working long hours in unsafe conditions for very little pay. Around 80% of garment workers are women, many of whom lack even the most basic protections.

On my trip, I couldn’t stop wondering about the person behind each garment. Did she work in unbearable heat? Did she have enough to feed her children? Was her voice ever heard?

When we support companies that exploit workers, we become part of that inequality.

What We Can Do Instead

Awareness is the first step, but change comes through action. Here are a few ways we can shift:

✨ Buy Mindfully - Ask yourself: Do I need this? Will I wear it often? Choose quality over quantity.

✨ Support Ethical & Slow Fashion - Look for brands that value people and the planet. Invest in pieces that last.

✨ Embrace Alternatives - Try second-hand, clothing swaps, or supporting local artisans.

✨ Use Your Voice - Every purchase is a vote. By choosing consciously, you send a message to the industry that ethics matter.

Walking through Thailand’s bustling markets, I realised each garment has a story. The more we pause to ask, “Who made this? At what cost? And will I truly cherish it?”, the more we begin to shift our habits and the world.

It’s time to stop fuelling the throwaway culture of fast fashion. It’s time to buy consciously, wear with pride, and take ownership of the choices we make.

Together, we can create a fashion future that honours people and protects our planet. 🌏💚

At Empowered Clothing and Self Empowered Lifestyles, we believe in fashion that feels good on your body, soul, and conscience.