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Quality Over Quantity: Giving Up Forever 21

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

I was online shopping the other day (as I do every day, all the time) and as I was flippantly browsing shoes, jeans and itsy-bitsy-bikinis, I began to recognize that my closet was already bursting at the seams. My shoes are laid out carefully in pairs, rows and rows of nudes and blacks, suede and leather, cheetah print and croc (with the exception of my loafers, which are overflowing from a straw basket – I’m a loafer enthusiast). Between flannels, fuzzy coats, and colored jeans from I-don’t-even-know when, there’s no room for quality items anymore. There’s not really room for anything at all.

I’m always suckered into shopping at Forever 21 because of the incredibly cheap prices, and then it’s free shipping over $50.00, so naturally I spend at least $50.00. I get the my orders in the mail, and then notice the paper thin fabric, pilling sweaters, and hanging threads. I keep the clothes because they were cheap, and then I never wear them… because they’re cheap. It’s a very bizarre, tacky, floral-printed cycle to say the least.

Also, Forever 21 just has far too many clothes in their stores. It’s hectic and dirty and every time I walk in there I feel like I’ve stepped into a war zone.

 

Think about how much money you’ve spent over the years on low-quality clothing that’s only fashionable for one season (maybe not even for a whole season). That money could instead go to some nice Rag & Bone jeans, Acne Studios booties, or a sweater that actually keeps you warm. You could buy classic, long-lasting, high-quality clothing that you actually love, and that makes an impact on your wardrobe.

College is a great time to lead a minimal life. Minimize all of the stuff that you cling to for two reasons:

  1. We live in dorms, and there’s absolutely no room for anything.

  2. Having less random things in our closets allows room for new pieces. Space gives people the chance to reinvent themselves…and their style.

Getting dressed in the morning becomes infinitely harder when you have to sift through tons of cheaply made, trendy clothes that you’ve only worn once or twice. Don’t feel bad about cleaning out your closet (hey there, Eminem) and donating anything you haven’t worn in the past six months to a Goodwill or local clothing drive. I know the prices at Forever 21 can be tantalizing, but trust me, you’ll be much happier when you have the money to invest in quality pieces after foregoing a couple Forever 21 shipments.

 

Photo Sources:

http://mirrorfect.in/files/F21.jpg

http://969873155.r.lightningbase-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rollingrack1.jpg

http://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20100728&t=2&i=165891253&w=580&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=2010-07-28T180512Z_01_BTRE66R1E8Q00_RTROPTP_0_USA-RETAIL

I am a Political Science major and Women's and Gender Studies minor at Boston College. I am an RA on campus and am involved in the Student Admissions Program. Since I am from Florida, I can legitimately say that I love long walks on the beach. I also love getting lost in a world fabricated by a novel, there is honestly nothing better.