Name: Jordan L.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Practice: Reconciling career and values
I’ve worked in retail fashion for six years. I love clothes. I love helping people feel confident in what they wear. But the more I learned about what happens behind the scenes, the harder it became to ignore.
What I see from the inside
The volume is staggering. New shipments every week, sometimes twice a week. Styles that exist for one season and never come back. Markdowns that start almost immediately because there’s always more arriving.
When something doesn’t sell, it doesn’t just disappear. I’ve seen perfectly good inventory get destroyed because it’s cheaper than storing it. That was the moment something shifted for me.
I haven’t quit my job
I want to be honest about that. I still work in the industry. I have bills. But I’ve changed how I show up.
When customers ask me for advice, I’m honest. If something won’t last, I say so. If they’re buying something similar to what they already own, I mention it. I’ve started steering people toward pieces that will work harder in their wardrobe — not just what’s trending this week.
My own closet
I buy maybe a quarter of what I used to. When I do buy, I look for quality I can verify — stitching, fabric weight, construction. Not labels. Not marketing.
I’m not anti-fashion. I’m anti-waste. There’s a difference, and I think more people in this industry are starting to see it.
