You scroll through your feed, and there it is—an endless parade of flashy deals from Shein, Temu, and all their fast fashion counterparts, pushing trendy looks at jaw-droppingly low prices. It feels like a steal. But behind the glittering bargains lies a story they’re not telling—and one you can’t afford to ignore.

The truth is that fast fashion isn’t cheap. It’s just that someone else—usually a garment worker or the environment—is footing the bill.

The Real Cost of Fast Fashion

Unethical Practices

Fast fashion thrives on mass production, low wages, and speed. Garments are churned out in questionable factories where labour standards are non-existent, workers are exploited, and environmental impact is an afterthought. 

Low Quality Garments

The clothes themselves? Poorly made, with cheap fabrics, designed to withstand a couple wash cycles before falling apart—after all, a short lifespan means you’ll be back to buy more, sooner.

Environmental Destruction

Then there’s the waste. Over 90 million tons of textile waste end up in landfills each year, much of it from fast fashion brands pumping out micro-trends like it’s a race.

Spoiler: It is.

What You Support When You Shop Indie

At Creative Muse, we don’t subscribe to that model. We believe fashion should be curated, not cranked out. Our collections are intentionally small-batch, thoughtfully designed, and made to last beyond a single season. When you shop with us, you’re not just buying a piece of clothing—you’re investing in:

• Quality fabrics and construction that feels good and stands the test of time (and multiple wash cycles!).

• Unique, standout styles you won’t see on every other person at brunch.

• Ethical production practices and more mindful sourcing.

• A Canadian, women-owned business that genuinely cares about the impact we make.

Why It Matters

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Fast fashion tells the world you’re OK with disposable clothing and the harm that comes with them. Shopping indie says you value creativity, quality craftsmanship, and conscious consumption.

We’re not here to guilt you into tossing your entire wardrobe, but we are here to challenge the idea that cheap and fast is the best way forward. If you’re tired of clothing that shrinks, rips, and doesn't make you feel amazing when you wear it, try something different.

Our collections are designed to make you feel like your best, most confident self—without compromising your values.

The Takeaway

You deserve better than fast fashion. Your closet deserves better. And frankly, so does the planet. 

So next time a $5 dress flashes across your screen, pause before you click “add to cart.” Ask yourself: who really foots the bill for that bargain—and is the true cost one you're willing to ignore?