The Pros and Cons of Buying Fast Fashion Jewelry

Do you need a convenient and affordable look or a piece to last a lifetime? This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of buying fast fashion jewelry.

Keyword(s): fast fashion

Like it or not, we're judged by how we look. That judgment can affect our lives in real ways, like being paid less at our jobs.

With that in mind, it only makes sense we want to look our best. That idea can be a driving factor behind purchasing fast fashion items.

What is fast fashion? Is fast fashion good or are there consequences to buying so much quickly made clothing and jewelry?

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of buying fast fashion jewelry. You might be surprised by how much it actually ends up costing you!

What is Fast Fashion?

First, let's nail down the exact definition and what counts or doesn't count as fast fashion. Simply put, it's a style that moves from the runway to affordable stores as quickly as possible.

There's more to it than that. This new way of getting high end looks to regular consumers has changed the way people shop.

It used to be that clothing was seasonal. People saved up for certain times of the year for the latest seasonal styles.

Now retailers are putting out more designs than ever. Clothing purchases have even increased 60% in the last few years.

There are different viewpoints on whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Here are the pros and cons that will help you make a decision.

Pros: Quickly Update Your Look

When shopping for trendy, eye-catching jewelry, there's always something new on the market. It's right there in the name -- fast.

The turn around time on copying current trends and putting them up for sale becomes shorter every cycle. You can always have a fresh piece of jewelry to liven up your look.

Cons: Quality Suffers

Because this kind of jewelry is made quickly and sold cheaply, it's not the same kind of quality. Jewelry from fast-fashion retailers is made of alloys instead of precious metals and crystals instead of real stones.

Rings might turn your finger green and chains might quickly snap. In the end, you might only be able to wear it once or twice before it degrades.

Pros: Affordable Designer Looks

High-end brand name items run in the thousands of dollars. Dupes, lookalikes, and knock-offs look similar but cost less.

It's a way to have a designer-adjacent item without dishing out big bucks. That leaves you more cash for more purchases.

Cons: Stolen Designs

You might think it's no big deal if a mid-price retailer knocks off a high-end brand. It's easy to think the big names make millions of dollars and no one will mistake yours for the real thing.

They don't always rip off big-name designers. Some fast-fashion chains steal from struggling freelance artists.

Pros: More Choices

With quickly mass-produced jewelry, there are more options available than ever before. You don't have to stick to traditional jewelry stores.

Almost every fashion outlet, big-box store, or mall has aisles and aisle devoted to affordable and attractive jewelry. There are plenty of choices on the market these days.

Cons: Questionable Sourcing

When demand increases and companies are trying to keep production costs low, sometimes they turn to questionable sources. Quickly mass-produced cheap items often have a human cost.

The US Department of Labor found evidence that some companies were using forced child labor in foreign countries to produce their goods. Not all fashion companies employ this practice, but it's something to consider when shopping.

Pros: More Disposable Income

When you can get stylish looks for less, you'll be able to buy more items. Instead of going home with just one piece of jewelry, you'll be able to stretch your dollar.

This is great news for both consumers and retailers. Who doesn't like to have more cash in their account and more jewelry in their wardrobe?

Cons: Wasteful

Because fast fashion jewelry isn't as sturdy as traditionally made pieces, chances are you'll go through them quicker. When these pieces break, degrade, or when you get bored with them, you're likely to just throw them away.

This has an environmental impact. Think of all of the resources it takes to create, ship, and package these items only for them to end up in landfills.

Pros: Alternatives to Traditional Pieces

Younger buyers are steering clear of traditional jewelry purchases, like diamonds. There are many reasons for this, like the lack of disposable income or feeling conflicted about mining practices.

Purchasing cheaper pieces is an alternative to high-end traditional jewelry. They can select an affordable piece from the many options available to them.

Cons: Short Term Savings, Long Term Costs

Purchasing multiple items at a lower price seems like a steal at the moment. But the fact that the jewelry doesn't last as long means you'll have to replace it often.

This means that you're saving money in the short term but not the long term. You'll have to keep buying more pieces instead of rotating through your personal selection of higher quality items.

You'll have to decide if you want a few good quality, long-lasting pieces or a lot of pieces that look cute at the moment but quickly turn into junk. It might be worth it, in the long run, to spend more on one item now than waste money on tons of jewelry you'll end up throwing away.

Pros: Easier Availability

With traditional pieces, you want to make sure you're making a good investment. You'll want to see the gem and test the metals to make sure it's a good value.

With fast fashion jewelry, you don't expect as much. You can shop any time online or just pick some up at a local retailer without investing too much thought.

Cons: Contributes to Throwaway Culture

Concerns about climate change and garbage creation have led some people to consider "zero waste" lifestyles. While you don't have to be that drastic, it's good to think about minimizing one's negative impact on the environment.

Cheap, mass-produced junk feeds into the idea that things exist to be thrown away. With sustainable, quality purchases, you can be the change you want to see.

Pros and Cons of Fast Fashion Jewelry: You Decide

This list of pros and cons should help you make a decision about purchasing fast fashion jewelry. There is a middle way where you can get quality pieces at affordable prices.

Check out our unique designer collections and find the gorgeous designer style you need at a price you'll love.