Is Anthro Fast Fashion?

This is a happy time of year for me!  Next week, it is my turn to shop in my Splurge Sorority!  “Splurge Club” (*I love clubs) is a group of 12 ladies – we each throw in $50 every 4 to 6 weeks or so and take turns shopping with the $$$.  Whoever “splurged” hosts the next gathering to show off her splurge and have a fun girls’ night out!  This is our 4th round of Splurge Club (first, B.T. – Before Thrifting – I bought clothes, next I bought bedding, next I bought teeth, and I’ve been waiting since last summer’s Pinterest Party kick-off for my turn)!  Now, in theory, I used my $50 from each of the 12 ladies to fund my thrifting for the year…  In reality, I already spent that cash and am about to deposit all my cheques and since that means $600 of influx, I decided to spend it on splurges!  BUT I won’t reveal everything I bought until next week’s epic tri-splurger party!  (Stay tuned!)  Today, I want to focus on two pieces I bought because I’m having second thoughts…  You see, I splurged on a top and a pair of pants from Anthropologie.

I LOVE Anthropologie, and have found several thrifted Anthro pieces!  (#noanthroleftbehind is a thrifting rule)  Anthropologie is relatively pricey for the average woman but has beautiful pieces and beautiful merchandising; it’s hard to resist.  I made a classic error in thinking that the pieces couldn’t be fast fashion because they were pricey (even on sale), but then I took time to look at the tags…

Most garments made in North America are not fast fashion, but garments made in Turkey, China, Bangladesh, etc. are usually fast fashion.  Sigh.  I tried to look these brands up on-line; I got nowhere.  There is no information about their manufacturing or sustainability practices – another bad sign.  Most brands that are sustainable tout that loudly and clearly and are transparent in their practices.  I tried to look at Anthro generally for information and found that they are owned by Urban Outfitters and are implicated as a fast fashion retailer, and that there was and still is limited to no information about their sustainability practices.  Hei Hei is an exclusive Anthro brand but there is nothing that says it’s sustainable.  I contacted Anthro in the modern way – I tweeted them – for clarification… no response.  I get that I’m a lowly customer with limited influence, but that shouldn’t matter.  They have staff to answer tweets.  Silence is guilt in the Twitter-sphere.  So basically, it seems these Anthro pieces are just expensive fast fashion.

I know better.  I should have known better.  If it’s not thrifted, and it’s not easily sourced as sustainable, ethical fashion, chances are it’s not.  If I’m wrong, if you know for a fact that these two brands are sustainable despite their manufacturing origin, for the love of God, let me know RIGHT NOW!  Otherwise, as a matter of principle, I must return them.  I can’t give my physiotherapist a hard time about buying H&M pants when I’m wearing a more expensive version of the same thing.  Siiigggghhhhh.  It’s hard.  I get it.  I love these pieces – I feel great in them, they are my style (whatever that is), they were a relatively good price, they were special treats!  But they’re fast fashion and I don’t do fast fashion, not even for Anthropologie.