The proposed law “to curb the expansion of fast fashion” will be voted on in the Senate this Tuesday. This legislation specifically targets the \u00a0ultra-ephemeral fashion\u00a0 embodied by Asian giants like Shein. Recently, the robust lobbying efforts of these companies to dilute the law have sparked intense debate and indignation. Consumers in the region, however, justify their choices to purchase clothing and other products from the sites targeted by the legislation. Their primary argument: \u00a0price\u00a0… but not exclusively.<\/p>\n
As the Senate vote approaches, many consumers are watching with \u00a0trepidation\u00a0. These individuals, who have agreed to share their experiences, regularly order clothing from Chinese sites like Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, which are at the forefront of senators’ scrutiny. They are unapologetic about their choices.<\/p>\n
The \u00a0first argument\u00a0 remains price\u2014unbeatable, in their view. \u00c9lodie, a thirty-something resident of Montpellier, explains: \u201cIf I order from Shein or AliExpress, it\u2019s simply because that\u2019s all I can afford.\u201d Living on a disability allowance of \u20ac1,016, she adds, \u201cWith inflation, it\u2019s difficult to buy clothes elsewhere.\u201d Interestingly, \u00c9lodie sews her own clothes, admitting, \u201cIt takes time, it remains costly, and it\u2019s not always possible. I\u2019ve tried thrift stores, but they can also be expensive. Second-hand items don\u2019t always fit my style or budget.\u201d She confesses, \u201cI know fast fashion has a heavy environmental and social impact, and the materials are often harmful to the body… but I am poor, not guilty. And Shein, despite its flaws, allows me to enjoy fashion and reclaim my style.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sylvaine, a 55-year-old from Ari\u00e8ge, is also a fan of Shein and Temu. \u201cI order between 5 and 10 items per month for a total of \u20ac35 to \u20ac100, and it allows me to create a stylish wardrobe at a lower cost,\u201d she states. Her economic argument is also compelling. \u201cI purchased a waterproof, warm coat for \u20ac17, which is listed at \u20ac29, while the same one sells for \u20ac75 in a major sports chain,\u201d she defends. She appreciates the variety, the perceived quality\u2014despite critics\u2019 arguments\u2014and the convenience of shopping at home. \u201cMore importantly,\u201d she notes, \u201cthe more you buy, the more discounts you receive, from 10% to 30% on a single order.\u201d This kind of incentive encourages consumption, something that many consumers are willingly participating in.<\/p>\n
Another consumer, \u201cLolo,\u201d adds her voice to the chorus. \u201cI prefer buying directly from China rather than paying a French intermediary who takes a huge cut. They talk about ecology, but the products in all stores also come from there. They target Shein, but maybe they should have got to the French firms that relocated for profit.\u201d She continues, \u201cThere was a time when the same pressure was applied to Amazon, and now it\u2019s Shein and Temu being targeted. The focus on ecology feels somewhat disingenuous. I buy my clothes there because they\u2019re high quality and cheaper, and I have no other choice living in a rural area.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Laetitia, the upcoming law will only serve to deprive her of products she can\u2019t afford to buy in France. She asserts that she finds prices on these platforms three to five times cheaper. \u201cAnd don\u2019t tell me I\u2019m not eco-conscious,\u201d she insists. \u201cI limit my orders to one parcel a month. I know it\u2019s not ideal, but businesses are also sourcing products from China to stock their stores.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another consumer, Sophie from Castries, is less inclined to shop at conventional stores. \u201cNeither the patterns, colors, nor cuts appeal to me, and let\u2019s not even talk about material. There\u2019s no cotton left, just polyester that retains odours,\u201d she states. Consequently, she has decided to learn sewing to create clothes that she loves and that will last.<\/p>\n
So, is the real debate lying elsewhere? In an era where leaders call for reconciling with our \u00a0sovereignty\u00a0 across various sectors, should the focus not be on reshaping the textile industry into a more virtuous model? This goal is certainly more ambitious, hence more complex, yet it may be the solution we need to address the root causes of fast fashion and its implications for society and the environment.<\/p>\n