The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” Clothes: Why Fast Fashion Isn’t Truly Affordable

When we see a shirt for $5 or a dress for $12, it’s easy to feel like we’ve scored a deal. But the truth is, fast fashion isn’t actually cheap—someone somewhere is paying the price. That “someone else” is the planet and the people making the clothes.

Behind the scenes of a $5 tee is a garment worker earning cents per hour, working in unsafe conditions with little to no rights or protections. Factories that churn out fast fashion pieces at lightning speed often rely on exploitative labor practices to keep prices low and production high. So while you might not be paying much at checkout, someone else is paying with their wellbeing and quality of life.

Then there’s the environmental toll. Fast fashion produces enormous volumes of clothing, much of it designed to fall apart after a few wears. When we’re done with it, it doesn’t just disappear. These clothes often end up in massive landfills—many of them overseas—where piles of discarded garments form mountains of waste that overwhelm our ecosystem. Many times, the clothing ending up in these landfills are brand new and have never even been worn-- due to consumers purchasing too much and the fashion retailers making more than they can sell. The planet pays the price for our cheap purchases.

But here’s the good news: the most affordable, sustainable fashion option already lives in your closet. Wearing what you already own is the cheapest and most eco-friendly choice you can make. Rewearing, restyling, and repairing your clothes can breathe new life into your wardrobe without spending a penny.

When you do shop, consider secondhand. Thrifting and clothing swaps keep garments out of landfills and offer unique finds at accessible prices. Or, shop less but smarter—invest in timeless, quality pieces made to last. While they might have a higher price tag up front, they cost less in the long run when you calculate cost per wear. A well-made piece you wear a hundred times is far cheaper than a trendy piece that falls apart after three washes. We love calculating cost per wear because it shows you if a piece is truly meant to be in your closet, or if it's not a smart purchase-- plus, it helps us view price in a new light.

Did you know we have a pre-loved option on our website? Shop Miakoda Pre-Loved! Keeping clothing out of the landfills and offering lower price tag items is something that's super important to us at Miakoda.

So next time you’re tempted by a fast fashion “bargain,” ask yourself: who’s really paying for this? Because when we prioritize quality, ethics, and sustainability, everyone wins!